Crankbait Crappies

I was on one of Mankato’s area popular lakes, fishing for bass/pike. Throwing swim baits in the weeds catching the occasional 12-14 largy. I notice all sorts of marks in 9-10ft. I put the swimbait away and grabbed a trolling rod. Using a number 5 shad rap. I ran the Minnkota I pilot on cruise control 1.3mph. The hits were just cruising! I found most is the fish from 9-14ft. Almost all fish were caught in 9ft just outside the weedline. When the wind would pick up the fish bite followed. Tried a collection of colors and all work.

Glad to hear I’m not the only one who will switch gears if the opportunity presents itself, and will set my sights on a different species. Nice report!

I like to tease crappies with small crankbaits. Here’s a box that comes along at this time of year.

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While I have not had luck with them “yet”, I have a hand full of #4 flickershads just ready for crappies. On lake Winnebago in WI we catch crappies frequently while trolling #5 or #7’s for walleyes.

I like the ideal of a small lipless crank like some of those in the above photo as well.

Cycle….if you click on the picture you’ll get the large version and can see that most all of the baits are lipped. Most of the “chubbys” run only a foot or two deep but work super on a trolled 3-way or drop shot.

Thanks for that….