The Well Stocked Tacklebox

This is a hard post to start given that I am a self-professed crankbait junkie. Just because I don’t fish all the colors doesn’t mean I don’t own them.

Yesterday as I put the boat away I caught myself looking at the pile of cranks on the back deck of the boat that I had taken off my rods and I noticed a very familiar set of colors.

Firetiger. Craw. Perch. Blue Silver Orange Belly.

I had tried MANY others during the course of the day. Those 4 caught fish. Out of those 4 craw was the most productive… as it often is for me on the mississippi river.

If I had to pick and stick with 4 colors for walleyes, I think I could do it with those 4 patterns. Sure, there would be times when I would want to have a clown or a brighter craw pattern, no doubt, but I think I could cover my bases and be successful under most situations, from pool 4 to mille lacs lake, with those color choices.

If you guys had to pick 4 colors, what would they be? Have any of the newest color patterns worked their way into your list or are you like me, still banking on patterns that have been around for decades?

Rapala’s Special addition for Scheels “GoldFish” White Pearl is another good one..

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Rapala’s Special addition for Scheels “GoldFish”

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All four rods all the time?

How about these in this order..

Goldfish

Hot Steel

White Pearl

Firetiger( the no brainer)

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How about these in this order..

Goldfish
Hot Steel
White Pearl
Firetiger( the no brainer)

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Scheels definitely NAILED the look of their goldfish pattern. I hope Mr. Wiggum doesn’t mind me reposting his pic posted in the cat forum the other day. He shot this one with a bow and arrow. (NICE shot!) This goldfish is a deadringer for the Scheels pattern.

Blue/White, 2 rods( Jointed and Regular)
Clown
Firetiger

Mine would have to Goldfish, Bluegill, Firetiger, Perch.

James why are so hard on the goldfish?

Red Craw
Hot Steel
Firetiger
Pearl White

That covers most of the bases for me, Red craw has been HOT down this way.

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James why are so hard on the goldfish?

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Am I being hard on the goldfish? I thought Ralph Wiggum did a fine job all on his own.

For Pool 4, day in and day out I have to go with Firetiger,crawdad,perch and a wild card. Usually when one of afore mentioned is hot then fourth rod is something slightly different than hot bait. If perch is hot then glass perch etc. That is where the Cabela’s cranks intrigue me—many of their colors are similar but not the same as the Rapala colors. They will be getting a try on the fourth rod this Summer to see if they cut the mustard. I know the Oahe Salmon liked them this Spring!

Firetiger, Craw, Hot Steel, Blugill….

Firetiger,blue/silver orange belly, orange craw, black & gold on straight balsa raps.

Jointed Raps, firetiger, red craw, brown craw, and chartreuse/black back craw.

RS shad raps, firetiger, blue/silver orange belly, black & gold.

Here on the Cedar, Black/Gold, Black Silver, Craw, and Firetiger. Blue/silver/orange belly used to be a go-to, but I’m running out, only two left still new in the box.

James there is a place/group where a person can go to get help. Its called Crankbait Annoymous. We meet wherever there is a big crankbait sale. Many of us attend.
Thanks, Bill

I think Firetiger is about the best. Then Perch. Past these two… I am getting frusurated and throwing everything I have at them. Normally, I do not need to go beyond the Firetiger on the waters I fish. I am sure that will soon be changing.

I think i would use
Sharp trues
White pearl
Perch
tiger

Black/Gold, Craw, Firetiger, and Blue/Silver.

Hot Tiger
Craw (brown craw preffered)
Fire Tiger
Baby Bass or Baby Walleye

Firetiger
Red craw
Walleye
Hot perch

I seem to always end up back with a firetiger on the line.
But my favorites are in order,
firetiger
Blue/silver
Orange/gold
Black/silver

Firetiger, reguler or jointed for sure, blue/silver, and pearl.

I had good luck on Bay City Flats with Firetiger Ripstick from Reef Runner.

Cranbaits Annoymous. We meet wherever there is a big crankbait sale. Many of us attend.
Thanks, Bill

I am with James on this one, I look in my tackle box and say I have enough, then walk into store and my mind goes blank, always a color that looks to good to pass up.

You guys are not helping a recovering crankbait addict

I think Dean should host these meetings Everyone sit in a circle, my name is

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You guys are not helping a recovering crankbait addict

I think Dean should host these meetings Everyone sit in a circle, my name is

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Oh sure….then after the meeting Dean would announce a big crankbait sale he is having and……well……you know the rest of the story…..
Thanks, Bill

What sizes do you guys prefer? 5 and 7’s?

I would have to say that 5 out number 7 in my box 5 to 1.

I am surprised that my number one choice has not had a mention……..

1) Chart/silver
2) Greenback/glow (gander mt color)
3) Chart/silver
4) 3 way tie: chart/silver and greenback/glow and blue/silv.

Maybe replace #2 with chart/silv…..

Tim

James, Dustin what sizes frequent your tackle box?

When trolling #5’s, both regular deep divers and jointeds, get the most use from me by a large margin on pool 4.

Thanks, why do you guys prefer 5’s over 7’s

I don’t have a preference. But the walleyes on pool 4 sure seem to.

In all seriousness, the number 5’s are the most consistent fish producers I have in my trolling box. I mix in 7’s frequently but the times when the 7’s outproduce the 5’s are few and far between.

Honestly, has anyone ever had good luck with jointed Raps? I have a bunch of them but haven’t found the niche for them.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold