Crankbait essentials.

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calveryc

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I'm needed to up my crankbait game. I've got some red eye lipless and some square bill sexy shad shallow runners but Im looking to get some deep runners and really just re-tool. What are the essentials for every persons tackle box.
 
I dont have a very good reason other than theyve worked (kinda haha) for me and arent very pricey. I like Rapala DT-6, DT-10, and DT-14 for my medium divers. I like Strike King 6XD, 8XD, and 10XD for deep. Im sure there are better crankbaits out there but these seem to run pretty true out of the box with decent enough hooks for my fun fishing situation (ive never had a problem with any hooks probably because i lose them so often). Ive caught fish with these and theyre the ones i have most confidence in. Hope this helps
 
calveryc - 5/14/2016 3:18 PM

..….What are the essentials for every persons tackle box.

Lure retriever and split ring pliers. For saving cranks and replacing hooks. If you aren't putting the cranks where they snag and dull the hooks, then you aren't throwing them in the right areas.

When trying a new brand/size crank, I like to throw it exclusively for at least 2 hours. Be sure to work in pauses, pulls, rips, side jumps, and flutters into a straight line retrieve.
 
A good action rod, 6'9" to 7'6", slower action. I use a 5-1 reel, 10# floro. I can throw most baits, over a range of weights. Partial to Rapala DT series, Strike King XD series, Bombers. A good plug retriever will save $$$$. I also change hooks if the bait has the older bronze colored hooks.
 
1st thing I do is change the hooks on cranks. can't go wrong with Gamakatsu's and I usually go with red hooks just a preference. If you don't want to break the bank the H2O series that academy carries run great out of the box and have a good wobble and sound to them
 
I was using a 7'6" graphite rod last year and switched over to a fiberglass and it helped my hook up ratio tremendously on crankbaits and chatterbaits.
 
Lots of great info. Thanks. I'm currently using a 7' Skeet Reese crank bait rod. I bought it because I didn't know what to get so trusted that since it was labeled "crank bait" it would work. For reel I use a Lews LFS that's 5.6:1. I haven't used it with deep running cranks yet so we will see.
 
Shallow and medium cranks will work on the same rod. When you get to deeper ones you WANT a deep cranking rod. I used to try to use a 7' crankbait rod for deep cranks and i hated it and swore off cranking deep. Then i bought a Halo XDeep crabkbait rod and it was a huge improvement. Still think its a ***** cranking deep but im determined this year to stick with it as ive always gave up quick on it because of fatigue and rather use a different technique.
 


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