Fishing the Smaller Crankbaits

[RuddyDuck]

What setups do you guys find best for fishing smaller crankbaits like the SK KVD 1.5, Series 3, Xcalibur Xcs200's, Rapala DT6's and other similar baits. I like using the KVD 2.5's or Rapala DT10s, but when I switch to the smaller 1.5 or a series 3, I just don't seem to have the same feel for the bait. I use baitcast gear with 10lb flurocarbon. I also do use a snap swivel. Just wondering what others use for this.

Also, under what conditions do you find that these work better than the larger sizes.

Thanks.

[Juan Grande]

I got a 7' Shimano Compre crankbait rod (TC4 blank) last year and it worked well with smaller crankbaits. It's medium action which is maybe too light, but it's fun fighting fish on it. I paired it with a Citica and 12' fluoro.

Smaller crankbaits just don't displace as much water as the bigger billed cranks so you're not going to feel them working quite as much.

I like throwing Sub Warts or Bandit cranks over the tops of weeds or in shallow water. This works well for numbers, but I don't catch many big fish on shallow crankbaits. Tried throwing a 1.5 several times last year, but didn't have much luck with them. Then again, the 1.5s I have are natural colors and I fish mostly stained water. Without the rattling, maybe fish have trouble locating them.

[RK]

I use two different rods - depending on if I'm in or away from cover.

Around cover, I fish shallow cranks on a Powell Squarebill rod, which is 6'9" heavy power. It says X-fast, but it's not - I'd say it's more mod fast. Has a soft tip for roll casting baits even fairly light baits to a target, but plenty of power to haul fish out of cover. I have 17# mono on this rod. It's not a distance caster although it does well enough I guess. But that's not what it's for either. I use it around rushes, wood, docks, over thick coontail - any time I'm spot casting. This rod is also a very good close quarters spinnerbait rod.

In more open water, where I'm over big flats or something, I use a Powell 7'2" Med power mod-fast glass/graphite composite. Has a little lighter power so it's easier to launch a light bait a ways, and it's great for keeping fish hooked. I usually use 12# mono since this rod also does double duty as an away from cover topwater rod - which it's excellent at.

[Fulldraw84]

+1 for RK

If there is any cover in the area to fish I go with a heavier setup, Just to get the fish out. something like a med hvy spinnerbait rod. Something you can make shorter accurate cast with. Line size should go up accordingly. Don't be afraid to try braid also. In these types of areas I find it best to think of the crankbait like a jig, It might get hung up, but you might just catch a hog! Dont be afraid to run into cover.

For open water I have a Phenix X10 rod that I love for the smaller baits. A 6.4 to 1 reel since the baits don't dig to hard. I go back and forth between 10 and 12 pound test.

[Juan Grande]

Yeah, I definitely can't pop baits off of weeds with my setup. If I'm fishing heavy cover I either throw something that runs just under the service or I cast to lanes in the vegetation. If I hit the weeds then the bait is coming back to the boat covered.

[slipperybob]

My small cranks gets tossed on a St.Croix Avid 6'6" M crankbait paired with the Shimano CU50E spooled with 6# Gamma Copoly line. Also use that to fish small poppers and Sammy 65's.

[HellaBass]

For my smaller cranks like that, I use a Dobyns 684CB or 704CB, the heavier cranking rods do drown out feel of smaller baits

[RuddyDuck]

Thanks for the tips guys. I will definately try a few different setups with them this year.

Do you think the snap swivel gives them less action and feel or does it really not make a difference.

[Fulldraw84]

I didn't think I lost feel when I tried them.

But every time you change lures your missing a good opportunity to retie. losing a fish to a broken knot is the worst feeling ever.

[delmuts]

"Do you think the snap swivel gives them less action and feel or does it really not make a difference."

Use a snap,but not a swivle.Still will have the feelings with a cank, but much simpilar to change.

[Fulldraw84]

my opinion is to not use anything. being able to quickly change lures is leaving you with an old knot.Making it a bad situation when you get a big fish on. Learning a good knot only takes a little practice. go to youtube and watch some videos. Find one you like to start and just practice. No worries