Pitching Bombers

The Pool 2 Walleyes wanted Crankbaits tonight, specifically Bombers. I was using a spinning rod and 15/4 Power Pro. On 3 out of 4 casts, the lure would flip over and tangle the line in the trebles turning the crank baits into an ineffective rotating top water bait. How do I keep this from happening?

Water temps are still about 60 degrees, jigs weren’t working for me, and the Walleyes were really slamming crankbaits. The hits and fights were impressive. Caught two 25 inchers on consecutive casts.

Rootski

I used to cast bombers on WD’s like you were doing tonight. I found the fat free models seem to tangle more than 6A’s but both tangle.

I started using the Rapala DT series (DT10 being my favorite) and have never had them tangle in mid flight. They are about the same cost as bombers and they cast like a dream. They also hang up less on WD’s because the body rides higher when they deflect off structure.

One way I know is to use a casting reel, which allows you to feather the last part of the cast, which will let the lure pull and end up in the right position. You can feather a spinning reel, too, by lightly putting your finger on the edge of the spool and as the lure nears it’s landing zone, increase the pressure a fraction and the same thing will happen. The lure will pull and end up tangling less. Just takes a bit of practice.

Maybe you have to much of that fly fishing whip to your backstroke and the lure catches the line getting whipped forward
Sounds like a good time on the water!

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One way I know is to use a casting reel, which allows you to feather the last part of the cast, which will let the lure pull and end up in the right position. You can feather a spinning reel, too, by lightly putting your finger on the edge of the spool and as the lure nears it’s landing zone, increase the pressure a fraction and the same thing will happen. The lure will pull and end up tangling less. Just takes a bit of practice.

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Good point Gordon…I usually cast crankbaits with a baitcaster so I never realized how tightening the line on the end your cast will starighten it out.

If you use mono this well eliminate your problem. If you want to just tie a mono leader to your braid this will also prevent the tangles. Alberto knot it best for this.

Use heavier line and also do not quickly stop the cast unless you must. Quickly stopping the cast would almost always cause the bait to tangle. Had loads of issues with the older Power pro 8/20 with wind knots and tangled lures. I now use Nanofil. Have not tried the 832.

I fouled the air with many curses casting those bombers the last couple times out…as Kendall can attest. I even feather them with my spinning reel and that only helps marginally. I took them back to the store and got DT’s. They’re weighted properly for casting, and look/cost the same as Bombers. Do we have a date with that 29″ again this year or what Steve?

jp

I use mono or floro with a casting reel. Never a problem. And I cast these cranks a lot on P2.

-J.

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I use mono or floro with a casting reel.

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Jon I think that’s the direction I’m headed. I have a baitcaster that might work well for this. Right now it’s spooled up with 17# Trilene XT and I’m guessing that’s not optimum for this application. What do you use?

Thanks everyone for all the great advice

10# Trilene XT or 10-12# P-line (CXX)

-J.

Just a follow up to this discussion….

I found a 7 ft medium action Gander Mountain “Guide Series Tournament” baitcasting rod on sale at the Lakeville store for $39. I spooled the reel up with 10# Trilene XT. The only chance I had to try this out was Saturday, yes right about the time it started to hail I caught a couple of nice Walleyes and made dozens of casts without one single tangle.

Problem SOLVED. Thanks everyone for the good advice!

Rootski