Crankbait Advice

Eyepeople,

I was hoping some of you experienced crankbait fisherfolks could give me some advice. I do a lot of long line trolling on the Mississippi, and primarily use Shad Raps and Deep/Deep Jr. Thundersticks. I would like to add a third line of baits to my arsenal that have a distinctly different action and body profile. What would you recommend for a third line of baits?

Thanx in advance for your opinion(s).

Pop

i have the same arsenal as you except i also use the wally diver and some true cranks

hmmm… seems like you already have two distinctive baits that will work just about anytime that cranks are going…… I myself use primarily shad raps, deep husky jerks, and walleydivers….. but Ive had some success with hotntots and bombers.. at one time I got a bunch of the bombers cheap… cant remember what they were called… looked kind of like a fat rap.. but bigger….. and I caught a lot of river eyes on them….. trolling closing dams….. down in pool 10…..

anyway both of those have a short profile and a wide wobble…. they seemed to come into their own in the summer for some reason….. maybe they resemble crayfish or something.. my best color was usually something with orange……

For long-line trolling, my favorite is a Wally Diver. Big and small. For some reason they seem to outproduce any other crankbait in my trolling arsenal year after year. Casting wise…….I can’t catch anything but sheepshead on them.

I would also go with Rattle-Tots and HotnTots. They produce well from time to time also.

If you’re going to limit it to one more choice, go with Beavs brother…Wally.

Beav

I`ll agree with the Bev. I have caught more fish with walley divers than anything else,but mostly casting,go figure.

Have to say 2-1 the old red/black wally diver has the edge. Next in line would be a firetiger or perch shad rap…

Good luck,

Barc

last summer on pepin we trolled shad raps and berkly frenzys side by side on several days and the frenzys out cought the raps three to one

I have yet to catch a fish, (any fish), on a Frenzy. I’ve never trolled one but I have tried casting them. They just can’t beat a Rattlin’ Fat Rap on a wingdam. For trolling I’ve gotta go with the Craw colored Bomber (the short fat ones).

That’s funny, regarding Beav’s post on Wally Divers. I’m in the same boat as John (figuratively), I usually catch fish casting Wally Divers, seems like Shad Raps always outperform them trolling for me though.

Maybe I just don’t cast them enough. My favorite casting crank is a Wiggle Wart. They get the majority of use in my boat. Maybe it’s just a confidence thing.

But for trolling, I’ll take a Wally Diver anyday.

Beav

Try the Berkley Frenzy diver. I like the crawdad color in the river.

Eric Naig

Beavs right. Many cranks work,the main thing is being in the zone and CONFIDENCE.

I have never really tried the frenzy, although i do have a few of them, but whenever i say i am going to try them i get out there and i am like nope going to the trusties today

Any body ever use the rebel wally demons? They were on sale at walmart for 2 bills a month ago.

To add a third distinct lure and motion I would look at the Reef Runner line of cranks, they have a very wide wobble pattern that sometimes make you think there out of tune. Thats the way they run.

Hook

For casting wingdams in the summer, I would have to say the Excaliber’s Fat Free shads. These baits will walk over some of the knarliest rocks and debris. I have the best luck with these maybe because they stay snag free more. Although, the walleyes that are on top of the wing’s are very aggressive and will hit many different cranks thrown.

As far as trolling goes, Raps and T-sticks are real good producers consistantly for me. Deep diving rogues work well in the cool water times for me. Take a look at the new “Spoonbill Super Rogues” these lures are hitting 18-24ft on mono and deeper with super lines. Although I have not tried them yet, although soon.

Longlining- another vote for walleye diver

Casting- (you already saw the discussion on traps) but I would add Bomber long A’s for casting

But if I was going to add one trolling technic/lure- I would have to steer you towards threewaying floating rapala’s. I have caught hundreds and hundreds of walleye/sauger/saugeye on pool four (4) with this technic. It has amazed us on inland lakes, too, and the bonus pike we catch adds to the fun. My 10 year old son and I had a 40+ keeper day up there in Last May. Lawrence

Just thought I would throw this in . What does everyone think about the (Tail Dancer) or the new (Jointed Shad Rap) Would like your oppion ? We can only find no# 5s no 7s or 9s shads yet. Just couirous?

Last fall I did get a few walleyes on the #7 Taildancer in the Shad color. Other lures proved to work better though. I only have the jointed in Firetiger and have not given it any water time yet.

I have really found that rebel deep craws for trolling and the wee craw for casting. red! red! red! This seems to be a good bet in the heat of summer.

try cc shads, um #5 deep lip rattlin fat raps, i love wally divers, and reef runners……i also do troll a lot of shad raps in the summer

Ditto to the CC shads, in funky purple.and SHHH about the #5 rattlin fat raps..Unless J.R. you have some for sale??? LOL

I tend to use allot of walley divers as well, but they are not my favorit. My fall back is a Bommer but I have consistant action of the Frenzy as well and also the Bill Norman lures. I had a favorite crank at one time in the Thunder Sticks but they don’t produce the color that I love so much any more so I have had to compensate for different lures that almost match that color but they still don’t produce like that Thunderstick did.

When the temp heats up in the summer months, I start long line trolling the face of wingdams. My personal favorite is the metallic gold hot n tot. It gives off an aggressive wobble and is my go to lure. If anyone has any metal lipped lures please let me know.

Hey Mark I think I have to agree with the Coed Naked fishing

that would sure make a slow day a heck of alot better.

Nate Cadwell

GOM

I received the sale sheet in the mail the other day from

BPS in Gurnee. They have listed Original Metal Lipped

HOT’N TOT ‘s on sale for $ 2.49 EA.

The price is only good at the store March 16-24

CURRENT BREAK

hey yeah i seem to not beable to find any of my funky purple ones. hey what about thundersticks they have kinda disapeared from what we seem to use a lot ….. we used to use them like we use shad raps now