Crankbait Fishing: Expert Tips and Tricks

Fishing enthusiasts always seek new techniques to improve their chances of big catches. 

You can become a fishing champion by continually adopting new techniques and strategies. 

One such method that has gained popularity in fueling the fishing craze among anglers is crankbait fishing.

A crankbait is an artificial lure with a lip or bill on the front, which causes the lure to dive or “crank” when retrieved.

They come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and diving depths. Anglers can choose crankbait according to specific fishing conditions and target species.  

Crankbaits are fishing lures designed to mimic the movement of prey fish and baitfish, making them irresistible to predatory species like bass, walleye, pike, and muskie. 

This comprehensive guide will explore the history, types, techniques, and tips for crankbait fishing success.

Types of Crankbaits

Crankbaits occupy an important place in the tackle box of anglers. These lures excel at triggering fish strikes. 

Fishing with a crankbait involves:

• Understanding the types of crankbait.
• Selecting the right gear.
• Effectively working the lure to entice those aggressive bites.

An array of options is available depending on the crankbait’s size, shape, and diving depth.

Crankbait is available in many types, but some of the most common and specific types are as follows:

Floating Crankbaits

For fishermen, these crankbaits occupy an essential place in the fishing equipment. 

Due to their buoyant design, these crankbaits rise to the surface during paused retrieves.

These lures feature a buoyant balsa wood body or internal buoyancy chamber. These lures suspend or rise slowly on a pause in retrieve.

With these floating crankbaits, anglers can catch different species of fish. 

These crankbaits are ideal for fishing shallow waters or for targeting fish holding near the surface. By using them, you can master the art of fishing.

Suspending Crankbaits

Suspending crankbaits are valuable when paused during the retrieve because they remain at a constant depth. 

These crankbaits are effective for fishing at mid-depths where fish are suspended. They help target different species while fishing. 

The suspending crankbait is an excellent choice for many anglers.

Lipless Crankbaits

Many anglers add lipless crankbait to their fishing equipment to get the most out of their fishing adventure. 

Different depths and speeds can be used to retrieve lipless crankbaits.

The profile of these crankbaits is typically sleek and streamlined without a diving lip. 

They mimic fleeing baitfish by wobbling erratically without a diving lip.

This crankbait is versatile, which makes it suitable for a wide range of fishing. 

Squarebill Crankbaits

The squarebill crankbait features a diving lip that deflects off rocks, logs, and vegetation without snagging. 

These crankbaits are perfect for shallow-water fishing. You can make the best of your day by fishing with squarebill crankbaits.  

These lures are perfect for navigating rocky areas and finding fish around heavy vegetation. 

Deep Diving Crankbaits

This is a great and versatile crankbait for targeting fish in deep water. 

A deep-diving crankbait is an excellent choice for catching fish in deep water.  

A deep-diving crankbait usually has a larger bill and can dive more than 10 feet deep.

These lures dive to predetermined depths based on lip size and retrieve speed.  

These are perfect for targeting fish from the bottom in deeper water.

Truscend Jointed Crankbait

TRUSCEND Jointed Crankbaits are popular with anglers because of their lifelike swimming action and ability to attract predatory fish. 

The joint design of this crankbait allows it to mimic the natural movements of injured or distressed baitfish. It helps target bass, walleye, and pike.

Selecting the Right Gear for Crankbait Success

Choosing the right gear is essential if you want to use crankbait successfully. Here are some essential gears to use in  crankbait fishing:

Rod: Baitcasting rods with medium action (around 7 feet) provide reasonable casting control and the backbone to handle hard-fighting fish.

Reel: Crankbaits often require a faster retrieval. A baitcasting reel with a 7:1 gear ratio makes retrieval quick and easy. 

Your line capacity must accommodate your fishing depth. 

Line: The braided line offers a superior feel and transmits vibrations from the lure. 

Fluorocarbon offers better abrasion resistance around the cover. Line weight should be chosen based on the target fish species.

Crankbait Fishing Techniques

Following these crucial techniques is essential to achieving success in fishing with crankbaits. Here are some effective retrieval techniques:

• To keep the crankbait from wobbling at its designed depth, reeling at a constant speed is an excellent way to start.
• Always stop after reeling, as an erratic action can trigger a fish strike.
• Reel the crankbait below the surface to attract aggressive fish and create a commotion.
• Experiment with different retrieve speeds and techniques to find what works best.  
• Watch how baitfish behave in the water and try to mimic their movements.

Tips for Crankbait Fishing Success

Crankbait fishing is a dream for every angler. Here are some essential tips for crankbait fishing:

• Select a size or color of crankbait that matches your target prey. 
• Crankbaits trigger strikes around covers like rocks, logs, and weed beds.
• Consider water depth and fish location when crankbait fishing.
• Deep-diving crankbaits are useful for fishing in offshore structures. 
• Keep a variety of crankbaits in your tackle box. These crankbaits help you cover different depths and water conditions.
• You should adjust your retrieval speed accordingly when fishing in warmer water.
• In warmer weather, slow down the retrieve, while in colder weather, speed it up.
• With a little practice and the proper knowledge, crankbaits can become a powerful tool in your angling arsenal.

Conclusion

Crankbait is a versatile technique for targeting freshwater fish. You can make your fishing expedition successful by using all these crankbaits.  

With these Crankbaits, anglers can increase their chances of hooking into trophy-sized fish on their next fishing excursion. 

Grab your tackle box and tie on a crankbait to reel in the catch of a lifetime.

“Explore our comprehensive guide on Loop to Loop Knot to enhance your angling skills and discover more tips and techniques.”