| A Complete Guide to Crankbait Fishing | | | | I'd say all three Rattsler 65's are better suited for |
| When it comes to fishing crankbaits, there are | | | | finesse cranking situations, for small ponds and |
| always a million questions, with just about as | | | | small streams or where mainly small bass are |
| many answers. Some of the common questions | | | | found. The Rattsler 65's are suited to clearer |
| of what kind, what colors, when and where to | | | | water, smaller waters or finesse situations with |
| use them, are going to be answered in this guide. | | | | light tackle. |
| There will always be new products and new ideas | | | | The Rattsler 85's are more of your mainstream |
| that may or may not work, but hopefully the | | | | crankbait size, even a little on the big size (keeping |
| following guide will give you the answers to most | | | | in mind they are thin). Of the three Rattsler 85 |
| of the questions that are constantly being asked | | | | sizes, I'd say the 85 SL would be the least used |
| by the beginner to the advanced angler. | | | | model overall since it runs very shallow. The 85 |
| "WHAT ARE CRANKBAITS?" | | | | SL dives just 1-2 feet, and that makes it good |
| There are as many manufacturers of crankbaits | | | | for fishing over thick grass or jumbled shallow |
| as there are colors. Some of the more popular | | | | wood, through the crowns of dense brush fields |
| makers of crankbaits are Luhr Jensen, | | | | and so forth. Those are great sitations where the |
| Mann's,Bomber, Storm, Berkley, Bill Lewis, Rapala, | | | | 85 SL excels. But day in and day out, the most |
| Lucky Craft and Rebel. There are of course, | | | | poplar models will be the Rattsler 85 ML which |
| many more, including hundreds of custom made | | | | runs 2-4 feet deep and the Rattsler 85 VLL (runs |
| crankbaits by individuals and smaller companies. | | | | 10-20 feet) for deep water applications. |
| Crankbaits are minnow imitating lures, that float | | | | "FAT BODIED CRANKBAITS" |
| and/or suspend in the water column, have | | | | I like a lot of the fat bodied crankbaits when |
| different sized lips and body shapes, and some | | | | working shallow or brushy cover, as I believe |
| have no lips at all. They come in a variety of | | | | they come through it better, and have awider |
| sizes, colors, shapes, and weights, all of which are | | | | wobble, which at times is just what the bass |
| designed for a particular action and depth, to | | | | want. I use these more in the stained or muddier |
| closely simulate a fleeing or injured baitfish or | | | | rivers and lakes, and I also like them for running |
| crawfish. First we will start with the floating and | | | | over the weedbeds when the top of the weeds |
| suspending variety of fat and slim bodied | | | | come to about a foot of the surface. |
| crankbaits. | | | | |
| "BODY SHAPES" | | | | Mann's 1-Minus, and Baby 1 Minus and Lucky Craft |
| The different body shapes that are offered all | | | | are my favorites for this style of shallow running |
| have distinct advantages over each other at | | | | crankbait. Again, I always try to match the forage |
| different times of the year, depending mostly on | | | | of the lake, at the particular time of year I am |
| water temperature, and the size of the baitfish | | | | fishing. |
| available in that particular body of water. There | | | | |
| are always exceptions to the rules, but basically | | | | Also, many days when you couldn't get a bass to |
| the slimmer, flat sided crankbaits, that float, and | | | | come up out of the Hydrilla for a topwater, such |
| orsuspend, are better early and late in the year, | | | | as a buzzbait, or a Zara Spook, you could catch a |
| when the water temperatures are below 60 | | | | limit by running these baits just under the surface |
| degrees. The flat sided crankbaits will mimic a | | | | creating a wake over the grass and Hydrilla beds. |
| fleeing crawfish early in the year, and the best | | | | Bomber makes a bait called the Shallow A, which |
| colors at that time are shades of red or brown. | | | | is also good for this type of cover. |
| | | | |
| The proper depth is very important, as you want | | | | Another method I use to replace a spinnerbait is a |
| the bait as close to the bottom as possible to | | | | Cotton Cordell Big O, the one I like best runs |
| simulate a feeding or fleeing crawfish. | | | | about 3 or 4 feet deep. It creates a good wake |
| The lures with the flat sides have a neutral | | | | when I reel it slowly, or if I want to burn it, it will |
| buoyancy, which is very important in making the | | | | run just under the surface and serve as a search |
| lure perform like a real crawfish. I like touse a bait | | | | bait, covering a lot of water quickly. I like to |
| that has a bill made to bump against rocks and | | | | throw this bait around the edges of the thick |
| other cover to achieve this result without getting | | | | weeds in New Jersey's Union Lake, and others |
| hung up or breaking. The flat sided crankbaits help | | | | that are similar to it. It really works well there. If I |
| me do this. | | | | want to make an even heavier wake than |
| The Bomber Flat A is also a good choice for this, | | | | normal, I just go to heavier line for the crankbaits, |
| and catch a lot of pre-spawn bass with this bait, | | | | say 20-25 pound test. |
| using a slow steady retrieve. In the fall, I use | | | | The thicker line helps keep the bait running on top. |
| different shad patterns like Pearl, or Chrome, for | | | | I always like to throw these baits to visible |
| bass that are suspending this time of year. I use | | | | structure such as grass and docks,and most |
| a steady, slow to medium retrieve for this, | | | | importantly later in the year, SHADE! |
| sometimes bumping into objects, but most of the | | | | |
| time a steady retrieve has worked best at this | | | | In lakes that are really clear, and have little cover, |
| time of year. | | | | the bass will relate to a shade line.This is also true |
| In a tournament in the fall, I boated a 18 pound | | | | in Table Rock Lake in certain areas, although |
| stringer, using this method, to win the tournament | | | | Table Rock does have a variety of structure, but |
| and take big bass with a 4 pounder. | | | | little to no vegetation. |
| I like to target the shores that are wind blown | | | | When I fish the shade line, I usually burn the bait. |
| first, when working these baits, and a lot of the | | | | The most active fish will always be on the shady |
| time, in some of the New York and New Jersey | | | | side of whatever structure there is. I cast beyond |
| Lakes that have clay or tapering gravel banks, I | | | | the structure, and burn the bait through the shade |
| throw these flat sided crankbaits, because I can | | | | as close to the structure as possible. If you fish a |
| catch fish in areas where there is little cover and | | | | lot of lakes that receive heavy pressure from |
| most people don't fish! | | | | water skiers and jet skies, and pleasure boaters, |
| The flat sided crankbaits are more for bass that | | | | it generally creates a "Mud-line." Bass will relate to |
| are holding in water that is about 3-8 feet deep. | | | | this very often. It generally is in the upper 3 feet |
| Most of the flat sided crankbaits don't work | | | | of water, so bass will hold along the mud line so |
| properly any deeper than 7 or 8 feet. Most of | | | | they can see what's swimming by. I cast parallel |
| the time I don't fish these flat sides in heavy | | | | to the muddy water and burn the bait back to |
| cover, but there is one that was made by Poe's, | | | | the boat. I usually use a white or Pearl color for |
| that is called an RC3, that seems to produce well | | | | this. I have used this method with success at |
| in heavier cover. In open water, I usually use a | | | | Lake Hopetcong in the summer months. All these |
| Shad Rap, made by Rapala, because I found that | | | | shallow running baits of this type produce bass |
| it produces some good bass in relatively open | | | | well in the spring in California and Florida. |
| water. | | | | Many times a crankbait will run deeper or |
| | | | shallower than it is supposed to according to the |
| I use spinning gear most of the time to throw | | | | manufacturer. |
| these baits, like the Shad Rap, and I use 8-10 | | | | The Suspending crankbaits seem to run a little |
| pound test line, with a Shimano reel. I do use a | | | | deeper than the floating ones, I suspect because |
| baitcaster in 7 foot, with a medium-action rod, like | | | | they are a little heavier. The other places to |
| a Lew's or G.Loomis, with a Lew's reel or Shimano | | | | target for bass with crankbaits in rivers, is the |
| geared down lower. I don't really fool around with | | | | creek channels or bends. |
| these baits as they are mostly made of wood, | | | | River bends collect structure such as fallen trees |
| and they all have their own "personality" anyway. | | | | and brush, which in turn, creates a great spot in |
| Sometimes I go through 10 or 15 crankbaits | | | | slower current where the largemouth lay in wait |
| before finding 2 or 3 with just the right action. In | | | | of the prey. Differences in materials should also |
| the colder water I like the Shad Rap and I also | | | | be considered when selecting the crankbaits to |
| like the Bomber Flat A best. When the water | | | | use. For example, plastic lures can be abused a |
| temperature is in the 40's and 50's I like it to | | | | little more than some wood lures, but wooden |
| wiggle a little tighter, and these baits achieve this | | | | baits have better flotation and action many times. |
| action well. | | | | There are differences in the way they have to |
| | | | manufacture plastic baits and wooden baits, and |
| Baitfish are the main forage of bass in cold water, | | | | both have their advantages and disadvantages in |
| so I always try to match the bait with the prey. | | | | each situation. Trial and error,experience, and time, |
| The Flat A seems to look like a Shad or maybe a | | | | are the best teachers in these matters. |
| Bluegill, which is the main forage in a lot of the | | | | |
| lakes I fish,and it works well in the lakes that | | | | You can read all you want, but there is nothing |
| have clearer water. I have used this bait with | | | | like time and hands on experience to learn what |
| success over the tops of the Hydrilla beds in | | | | works best and when. |
| some Florida Lakes, as it doesn't pick up much | | | | One thing I do with most crankbaits though, is |
| grass because of the real tight wiggle. I caught | | | | change their hooks. I only use premium hooks on |
| several nice bass from Stick Marsh and | | | | baits such as Gamakatsu, VMC, Daiichi, X-Pouint, |
| Walk-In-Water on this bait before. It also | | | | or other quality hooks. I replace them after a |
| produced good in Lake Jackson. I always try to | | | | couple of months or sooner, depending on the |
| use 8 pound test whenever I can, as it usually | | | | use, and the number of fish caught on them. |
| allows the crankbaits to achieve their maximum | | | | |
| depth, and action. | | | | You really need to understand and have good |
| Recently the best flat sided baits here in the | | | | electronics also, to find the right cover, and select |
| northeast have been the Lucky Craft Flat CB and | | | | the correct depth. Many times anglers are either |
| Mini CB, as well as the new Sebile baits. | | | | fishing above or below the fish. It is very |
| These 2-inch master crank lures by Lucky Craft | | | | important to have and know how to use a wide |
| are essential components in the planning of | | | | variety of crankbaits to cover the proper depth. I |
| tournament tactics today. To further increase | | | | never stick my rod in the water to make the lure |
| productivity, you must correctly understand the | | | | run deeper, as it causes you to loose contact |
| different applications and effects of the Flat Mini | | | | with thebait. If you are after fish that are deeper, |
| SR, MR and DR baits and learn, through actual | | | | it is better to make a longer cast beyond them, |
| gripping sensations, the “sweet spots” of | | | | and reel the bait to them. The longer the cast, |
| the respective lures. The unique screw of water | | | | the better, if you are trying to achieve maximum |
| flow generated by the flat side ensures the best | | | | depth, as it takes a while for the lure to go down. |
| luring movements, which are akin to those of the | | | | When fishing for deeper bass there are better |
| original Flat CB. Indeed, the SR, MR and DR are | | | | choices than some of the crankbaits I've |
| miracle baits that combine an optimal lip shape | | | | mentioned above. |
| designed to quickly reach the strike zone, an | | | | "LIPLESS CRANKBAITS" |
| effective gravity-center shift for maximal | | | | Many times when searching for deep bass lipless |
| castability, and a longer stroke for attracting bass | | | | crankbaits are better.Some of the better lipless |
| in a wider area. These Lucky Craft baits are | | | | crankbaits for searching and catching bassin deep |
| some of the better new Flat Side crankbaits | | | | water are a 1-ounce Cordell Rattlin Spot, a Rattlin' |
| available. | | | | Rapala in1/2 ounce, Lucky Craft, the new baits by |
| The other new flat side baits that have really | | | | Sebile or Little George's. |
| produced since they were introduced are the | | | | |
| Sebile Flat-Sided Rattslers. | | | | Little George pictured above was a mainstay for |
| | | | many yearspictured above is the new spin shad |
| Sébile has only been in business since mid-2006 | | | | by Sebile |
| and the product line is characterized by several | | | | These baits proved to be a life saver one day on |
| unorthodox and exciting bass lures - the | | | | Table Rock Lake, when the bass wouldn't |
| three-piece lipless Magic Swimmer swimbait, the | | | | cooperate on the other crankbaits. |
| swervy Slim Stick and humpy Ghost Walker, the | | | | |
| fantastic Flatt Shad series, the unconventional | | | | Many times in Delaware Lakes and ponds, I have |
| Stick Shad, trumpet-shaped Splasher, unique | | | | used similar baits in cold water very early in the |
| Onduspoon hard plastic spoon and many other | | | | year with success. These will also work in the |
| Sébile lures are truly original and unlike any | | | | deeper, colder areas of the Nanticoke and |
| others out there in terms of shape and application. | | | | Sassafras rivers early and late in the year. I |
| In 2009, Sebile introduced two crankbait series, | | | | usually stick with the Shad patterns for these |
| the fat-bodied Crankster and flat-sided Rattsler. | | | | baits, or solid chrome, although I have at times |
| These are not as out-of-the-box and | | | | caught numerous large bass early with a red or |
| unconventional as many of Sebile's other lure | | | | orange color. |
| designs. | | | | |
| | | | Sometimes it is just a matter of presentation. |
| The Rattslers are not only flat-sided but have | | | | Before changing the lure or color, I always cover |
| ultra thin bodies. As a result, Rattslers are a bit | | | | the area at various angles at different retrieve |
| light in comparison to their side profile size, since | | | | speeds. As you can see, there is a lot to know |
| they are so flat and thin. | | | | about using the correct crankbait, and I have just |
| The flat sides stir and move a lot of water, | | | | touched on the tip of the iceberg. There are |
| creating tons of turbulence as the Rattslers wiggle | | | | other subtle variations in all of the above lures and |
| along. The swimming movement can be called | | | | presentations that can effect how a bait catches |
| tight and frantic, and there is a lot of side-to-side | | | | bass. After many years of trial and error, I am |
| full body flipping motion. | | | | still learning new ways to catch more and bigger |
| The Rattsler 85 ML and 85 VLL are the two I | | | | bass on crankbaits. And isn't that the way it |
| recommend for average, everyday cranking on | | | | should be? The experimentation, and anticipation |
| decent size bodies of water for decent size fish. | | | | of every cast is what keeps it exciting and fun. |