true-running cranks

[squeedunk]

I have been running crankbaits a lot more frequently lately but am having troubles finding any in my box that will run true at higher retrieval speeds to get to the depths I need. I have only 1 rapala DT series bait that works great and a couple of shad raps that work nicely as well. The rest of my lures only run straight at slow speeds. I have adjusted the eye on the cranks which works ok until I bump a rock, then it runs crooked again. I have Mann's, Bandit, Rebel and some others that I just can't get to work right. What are some good quality cranks that you have had success with? I need to pick up some more that run in the 8'-12' range. Thanks in advance~Dan

[Deitz Dittrich]

Squee- First off, speed of retrieval has much less to do with the diving depth of a crankbait than you think.. Just because you reel it in faster, does not mean that the crankbait will dive deeper. At ultra slow speeds and ann ultra boyant crank this will have some to do with it, but once you reach a certain speed, then it no longer has much effect at all..

to get more diving depth you can do a few things.

-thinner line(lower pound test) will have less water resistance and will get your crank down deeper.

-add weight to the front part of the crankbait. There are 2 ways you can do this...#1 add lead tape to the underside of the bill. Or, #2 wrap lead wire around the front trebble hook.

-You can drill a hole in the crankbait, this will make it a sinking crankbait.(I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RUINED CRANKBAITS) this will only work with some cranks.. but you let them sink then start your retrieve.

OR, you can buy a few more deeper running crankbaits...DT16, Poe400, Poe400+, DD22, Mans30+ ect... all are very decent running deep crankbaits.

[squeedunk]

Thanks. I'm retrieving at high speeds because I seem to get more hits when I am bumping off rocks at the higher speeds. I have been running 10/2 or 20/6 power pro or 14/6 fireline lately. I plan on picking up some more DT baits but am interested in others as well. I am typically fishing in a metro lake with about 6-12 inches clarity and have not found fish any deeper than 12-14' all summer so I am still targeting that area. That may change as fall rolls around though. I appreciate the feedback.

[SluggoMaster]

I find that a crankbait that does not always run perfectly true gets more bites than crankbaits that run perfectly, since they are very erratic. The Storm Wiggle Wart (Original one-piece) are like this. An X-Rap is another example of an erratic bait that definately gets bit.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Well, it sounds like you could drop a few pounds in the fireline if you wanted, I wouldnt go a whole lot more.. Yes many times expecially with the high water temps we have had, higher retrieve speed does induce more strikes...

Are you tieing direct to the crank or using a swivel?

[RK]

Hiya -

Rat-L-traps are another option - just count them down. But they don't bounce out of cover all that well so better for free running over flats. Getting close to being rattle bait season too...

I'd look at the Rapala DT Flat series. The standard DTs are great cranks, but the lips are pretty thin and not the best for clanging off rocks - learned that the hard way. The Flat series has a 'coffin' lip that's designed for bouncing off obstacles like rock or wood without hanging up. Another good one is a Bomber Fat Free Shad - it's another flat-sided bait that runs pretty true.

A really great bait, if you can find them, is the old Poe's RC3. One of my favorite fall cranks. The RC3 and the Poes 300 and 400 are among my favorites, but, alas, hard to find these days.

(Total non sequitur: My supply of Poes cranks was getting VERY thin - to the point where I was almost afraid to use them - until I talked to a friend of mine who used to fish BASS. I asked him if he still had any 300s and 400s. He said "Sure, how many do you need?" Asked how many he had, and he said "I dunno. Two or three hundred maybe..." Also had about the same amount of Bandits - the OLD bandits... He barely bass fishes anymore, so he gave me a whole box full... Yeeha )

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[squeedunk]

I agree erratic can be good, but my baits are running sideways and swinging out of the water. They need to get down into the strike zone to be effective. I like the X-Rap too but it doesn't get to the depths I have been fishing. I usually use a small clip to attach my baits, no swivel clip though.

Thanks again~Dan

[Bobb-o]

didnt rapala introduce a new X-rap deep?

[squeedunk]

Oops, sorry. I just went to Gander and saw the deep running X-Raps. I guess it has been a while since I've been in the crankbait aisle! I picked up a DT-10 and DT-7 Flat series crank. I plan on trying them out tonight and may go back for more if I like what I see. The flat series has goofy SureSet VMC hooks on it...not too sure what I think of those yet. I didn't see any poe's baits, maybe I just missed them. Thanks for all the quick replies!

~Dan