How do you fish a crankbait lure?

When should you throw a crankbait?

Crankbaits work best in the spring, summer, and fall, except during the few weeks a year fish are spawning. Use medium-diving crankbaits when waters are about 50-60 degrees. As the season moves along and the fish start moving from the banks toward deeper waters, use a shad-colored crankbait.

What fish do crankbaits catch?

From cold water species such as trout and salmon, to warm water fish like bass, pike, walleye, perch and panfish, a properly selected crankbait can often be one of the most important lures in an angler’s tackle box.

How do you fish a crankbait lure? – Related Questions

Do you set the hook on crankbaits?

Do crankbaits like largemouth bass?

Crankbaits are great lures for targeting largemouth bass. Largemouth bass are typically spread out in shallower water, less than 30 feet. Casting a fast lure like a crankbait is an efficient way to target bass along these shallow areas.

Can you catch trout with a crankbait?

Another appeal of using crankbaits for trout is that they tend to attract a little larger fish on average than do most flies, jigs or spinners, and they are among the best lures for targeting trophy trout.

Can you catch salmon on a crankbait?

Commonly used hard baits for Salmon and Steelhead are crankbaits, jerkbaits, stickbaits and swimbaits for both casting and trolling.

Can you catch crappie with crankbaits?

Late summer/early fall is a great time to target crappie using crankbaits. If you are not familiar with the tactic, crankbaiting can be performed in one of two methods that crappie anglers may be more familiar with – long line trolling or tight-line trolling, however, the most popular is long lining.

What color crankbaits clear water?

Water clarity—In clear water situations, you’ll have your best luck with natural-colored, translucent crankbaits. The bass can see very well in this environment, so it’s important to make your crankbait blend in with its surroundings.

What rod should I use for crankbaits?

If you don’t have a cranking rod, select a medium action rod or a fiberglass rod that will have enough power to cast the big lures and handle heavy fish.

Should I use a snap for crankbaits?

To help keep lures in tune and catching fish, use a loop knot or small round snap to attach the lure to the fishing line. A snap makes it easier to change lures and provides enough freedom of movement that the lure will enjoy maximum action. Never use a swivel or angled snap when fishing crankbaits.

Are crankbaits supposed to float?

During a retrieve, this lip pushes sharply against the water causing the lure to dive downward and wiggle. Lipped crankbaits vary greatly in their buoyancy, meaning that they either naturally float or sink when they are at rest in the water.

What does the lip on a crankbait do?

A lip on a crankbait can also act as a deflector that aids in keep the hooks from snagging in cover like tree limbs or stumps. The lip will hit something and kick the bait out and around the piece of cover. So you can fish lipped crankbaits through wood cover without getting them snagged even with their treble hooks.

What speed do you pull crankbaits?

At 1.5 mph this will put the 8- to 12-foot crankbaits between 12-16 feet, depending on wind on waves. Choose a speed – 1.5 to 1.7 mph is where Whitehead stays and is a common speed for pulling cranks. As anglers get more adept at the tactic, altering speed and line length will be tools they can employ.

Why are crankbaits flat sided?

What color crankbait should I use?

Use white crankbait lures on cloudy or rainy days. When bass are eating crawfish, try a green or brownish colored crankbait. If the water is stained or muddy, use brightly colored crankbait with as orange or chartreuse to help the fish find the bait.