Best and worst Smallmouth Billed Crankbaits

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on January 9, 2013 at 8:06pm

I cant tell where it was caught, but i know where it was pulled from the livewell!

Permalink Reply by Jon Sessler on January 10, 2013 at 8:35am

Perfect!

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said:

I cant tell where it was caught, but i know where it was pulled from the livewell!

Permalink Reply by Steve Hastings on January 10, 2013 at 10:48am

Favorite billed cranks for Smallmouth

Hotlips,Speed trap 1/2 and 3/4oz,

Normal Deep little N and Suspending DLN

Bomber Model A, mostly 4A,  and Fat Free Shad

Strike King Pro Model 5 & 6 mostly 5.

Rapala Shad Rap and Fat Rap.

Lucky Craft Flat CB

Disappointed with Rapala DT16, everyone I have owned has broken at the bill/body connection. All done with them.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Higgins on January 10, 2013 at 12:03pm

I like using the Rapala DT series cranks in varying depths as well as the Strike King XD baits.  All seem to work for me.  I especially like the DT-4 and DT-6.

Permalink Reply by William McMurry on January 10, 2013 at 4:14pm

theres a time and place for all my cranks... when i can get away from the family and actually fish lol

 

 Bandit, speed traps and so on, they all serve a good dish when the time is right ;)

 jus gotta throw um an work um!!!!

Permalink Reply by Ryan Lamb on January 10, 2013 at 5:18pm

I love the Luhr Jenson Hot lips.

For rattle traps, I am particular to the Yo Zuri's an Ima's.

For shallower or square bills I like the Bomber and Rebel's I have.

This year I'm going to toss a few more new ones as well!

Permalink Reply by Nate on January 23, 2013 at 9:42am

Only baits I am constantly restocking are...

Speed Trap (more for LM than SM), Strike Kings 3XD, 5XD, series 4, series 5, Rapala DT4, DT6 and Lee Sissons square bill baits.

I agree that upgrading many baits is required but not all, maybe just some hook sharpening. And always a little tuning.

There are a dozen or so others that I use depending on certain conditions but are not versatile enough to mention.

Baits I own lots of but have become somewhat obsolete for my personal preference.

DT10, DT16, DT20, fat free shad (I have some Excalibur I still use), All Strike king squarebills, series 3, Bandit 300.

Permalink Reply by Nate on January 23, 2013 at 9:45am

My backyard. good ole blue bridge....

Marc Marcantonio said:

Mike Matkowski with a nice smallmouth caught on a Lucky Craft CB MR in Aurora Gold.  Yes, the lure had the line tie oval ring replaced with a stainless snap, and the hooks replaced with Gammie EWG Trebles.  No tuning necessary.  Bet you can guess where this was caught.

ciao,
Marc

Permalink Reply by Nate on January 23, 2013 at 10:12am

Dez, If you dont mind me asking, what size work for bass? Also, these things cast like toothpicks are people throwing these on spinning setups? I have been told by so many people of this bait's greatness but I have had zero luck. -Nate

BigBass Dez said:

"Rapala Shad Rap : These cranks are just straight up fish catchers and have been for ages IMO ."

 

Permalink Reply by Joe Keith on February 1, 2013 at 1:08pm

Good answers all . I have had or thrown about any or all of them at one point or another for years and all have their place and time .

My time on the water I've fount that the little things matter. the small tweaks , hook sizes.split rings and even scratches all play a part, when I buy cranks I'll buy 10 of each and run them all and see which of them runs the way I like it and if not I'll tweak it and if then its still not right or wont perform it goes to the for sale pile .

I will say this though , I believe that there are less issues with strait out of the box baits than there used to be with the quality cranks .

Play with them on the fun days and see what works for you given the conditions and have fun .

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