Favorite cranks for trolling

[SmellEsox]

I'm mainly a muskie guy but would like to troll a little bit for walleyes this spring. What baits do you trollers like for various depths?

[tacklejunkie]

I don't use crankbaits that much anymore, mostly jigs and spinners for walleyes, but I've used Raps, Reef Runners, Cotton Cordells,ect in the past but those few times when I am in the crankbait mood, the Berkley Flicker Shads are what I use now. I use the smallest size and it says on the box 9-11 feet but if I need to go deeper, just slap on a split shot or two.

I can't tell you why but in my experience, the walleyes love them

[TruthWalleyes]

I like rapala slashbaits, Bent lip shad raps, Salmo hornets, Storm Hot'n'Tots, Salmo Bullheads, Northland Live Forage(you gotta try these!!), and rapala XRaps for the most part...Of course there are many other varieties in my tacklebox like Rapala TrollTo's, Reef Runners, Origional Floaters, Salmo Stings, Flicker Shads, shad raps...and i know i'm forgetting a few hot baits.

If its a deeper diving lure i just long line, if its a shallow running lure i'll use leadcore.

[MattL]

There are a lot of variables to consider, I like #5 shad raps in fire-tiger as a starting point. Otherwise, Lindy, Salmo, and Berkely make some great lures for trolling. I know Reef Runners catch fish, but I've never had one run true out of the box and its easier to just grab a different bait then tune one.

[thore]

basically covered it except for husky jerks which is a must have in the fall

[JohnMickish]

Salmo Hornets, size 6F

Reef Runner 800

Flicker Shad #7

Shad Rap #5

[Eric_Kruger]

wally divers (cotton cordell) and ridgeline shads (PK Lures)

[harvey lee]

For the shallow water less than 6', Rapala Shallow shad raps.

A favorite for me is the Rapala Clackin minnow and X-Raps by Rapala for water from 10-14fow.

I also use alot of the Rapala Husky jerks and floaters.

Another great crank is the Salmo line.

I use and have about every brand out there and have approx 350 cranks but the ones above get used alot.

I do not own many real deep cranks as I also use leadcore to troll and the leadcore will get any crankbait to the depth the eyes are located at.

[Borch]

Spring

#11 floating raps

#5 & 7 shallow shad raps

#11 jointed raps

Summer

#5 & 7 Reg and Shallow Shad raps

#5 & 7 shadlings

#5 flicker shads

Fall

#5 & 7 shallow shadraps

#11 & 13 flaoting raps

#10 & 12 husky jerks

Thundersticks

Bomber long A

Rattling rogues & super rogues

#10 x-raps

I use many, many others but these get a lot of time.

[ARB]

I think that my all time favorite walleye crank would have to be the baby thunderstick which unfortunately is no longer produced (well other than the deep version which just isn't the same).

If it was me I would pick up 4 or 5 colors in the middle and larger sized flicker shads and another 4 or 5 colors of #7 husky jerks. Firetiger, blue tiger, red tiger, and orange tiger are all good in the flicker shads. Blue/chrome, firetiger, and black/chrome are good in the huskys.

These are some of the cheaper baits (price not quality) so you can start of with a small selection of 20 or so baits without breaking the bank!