Suggestions for a topwater crank-type lure

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

Looking for suggestions for a crank type lure that floats, but when reeled in stays 1-2inches under the water. Would like that side to side action that has loud rattles or makes a lot of noise. I dont like popper type lures.

Planning to fish the st. croix river this coming weekend for smallmouths and wanted something that I can work fast but also slow if there is a hole or area that needs something slow. Plan to be casting constantly.

Thanks!

[oleballcoach]

A spook? Is that what you are looking for. It is a walk the dog type bait. Also you could go with any number of wake baits that are just below the surface.

[RumRiverRat]

Any of these Mann's baits

The 1-Minus® Series

Another first from Mann’s is the 1-Minus, the first crankbait guaranteed to dive 12 inches or less. This is an incredible lure for super shallow water or areas where grass or heavy structure protrudes from the bottom. Crank the bait slow and it will make a “bulge” wake. Reel fast and it will dive to approximately 12 inches. Available in 3 sizes…Baby 1-Minus, Mid 1-Minus, and 1-Minus. Also available in the minnow shaped Stretch 1-Minus series.

Super Stretch 1-Minus®

This floating 6” long 7/8 oz. weight bait is perfect for big bass. Crank the bait slow and it will make a huge “buldging” wake. Reel fast and it will dive to approximately 12 inches, again creating lots of water movement and fish attracting vibration. Available in a large array of shad-like colors.

Waker Elite Series

The Waker Elite Series is Mann’s newest ultra-shallow running crankbaits. Even the very popular Baby 1-Minus Elite Series, which runs a maximum of 12” deep, seems like a “deep diver” compared to the new Waker.

The Waker is designed to run only 1-3” beneath the surface no matter how fast it’s reeled. As the name implies, it creates a large wake and bulge, a look that heavily pressured fish seldom see. It’s not uncommon to see fish make their own wake as they charge the Waker for explosive strikes.

The Waker’s perfect size of 3 inch length and 3/8 oz. weight enables anglers to make very long casts and cover lots of water. It is equipped with premium red hooks, a textured body, and is available in 12 hi-tech colors and patterns.

The Rapala DT Fat 1 is another option.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Mans 1 Minus

Bandit Footloose.

Rapala Cranking rap3

[jwhjr]

I have one of the Rapala DT-1's that do that. Fat body on it and a really wide wobble.

[corncob]

Baby minus one, Rapala Skitter prop , floating original Rapala.

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

PERFECT!!! THANKS ALL!!!! THANKS!!!!!!

[TonkaBass]

Why don't you like poppers? Smallies and poppers go hand in hand.

[Jarrod32]

Why don't you like poppers? Smallies and poppers go hand in hand.

That was kind of my thought...

[mainbutter]

I've always wanted to try strike pro's hunchback

[bryguy247]

When fishing on the river for smallies I always have a spook or a popper tied on one rod. I usually am not fishing a top water bait, but If I see Smallies blowing up the surface chasing bait fish I grab that rod and hammer them.

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

I dont like to use poppers because of the action it requires. We will be fishing and canoeing for three days. Prefer just a simple cast and reel. Its hard to cast in one spot more than two times due to the flow of the river.

The hunchback is crazy! My brother uses it and it works!!! Looks like a toy, but it works. My brother has the orange yellow one.

[scott b]

Cast and reel top water? Small buzzbait. Big smallies crush these things. Jitterbug. Casting and reeling a white gulp twister will out fish your brothers hunchback though. Small jig to stay shallow.

[JBMasterAngler]

You could just use small torpedo's. They go nuts over that! Black is usually the best color. Flat raps might also be a good choice. The original ones don't rattle, but I believe they just came out with a clackin' rap brand.

[TR21HP]

Burn a zoom fluke across the top- deadly for smallies.

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

awesome suggestions guys! thanks!

Heading to Cabelas and Gander this week to grab some of these. Thanks all!

[Fever]

Check out Storms Sub wart. Small 2 inch lure, very wide wobble, good color selection, dives to less than a foot. In my opinion this is a great crank. One of my go to / confidence lures. Have one tied up a all times.

[RK]

Hiya -

Couple suggestions:

- Someone mentioned buzzbaits... Take a small (1/4 oz) buzzbait, take the skirt off, and replace it with a fluke-type bait. For some reason, it works really well.

- Couple Strike King baits - the Series 1XS, and the Wake Shad. The 1XS is a little tiny bait that runs just a couple inches down, or you can wake it. The Wake Shad is a bigger jointed bait. The caveat with it is I've never used one in current so I don't know how it'd run (some baits just plain wonk out in current), but smallies in lakes clobber the thing sometimes.

- Bulge a Mepps inline spinner with a French blade, like a Black Fury or something. Classic river smallie bait for a reason...

- Wake a Cordell Redfin or a #11 Jointed Rapala.

Have fun. River smallies are a hoot.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

DANG!! Got a list longer than what I expected. ANother reason to love this msg board!

Thanks guys! Cant wait to head to Cabelas and Gander to find these lures.

[Aaron Carrell]

+1 on Small Buzzbait & Jitterbug for canoe purposes.

[TonkaBass]

I still think you should give that popper a try again, even if you are moving the whole time

[EBass]

Storm Sub-Wart. Like a baby 1 minus, but a different rattle.

[Ctrl_Alt_Dlt]

Will do Tonkabass!