Crankbaits - Losing fish

[Bob La Londe]

I'm still having problems with crank baits. I can get bit, but I seem to lose a lot of fish on crank baits. I have lost two or three really good fish this year. Two of them were easily my best bass this year. I switched to a lighter rod with more give and it seemed to help some, but I have since still lost two good fish recenntly on cranks. I have heard that a lot of people lose fish on cranks, but somehow I don't think that is the case for me. I think I am somehow playing them wrong. In each case I have had them on for a while and moved them a substantial distance. One or two I lost becasue I over horsed them to try and get them up and away from a submerged tree or something like that, but I really tend to lose them near the boat when they change direction.<br /><br />I am considering going through my cranks and upsizing all my hooks to Excalibur rotating hooks. I do get better hook ups on my baits that have those hooks, but I still have lost a few fish on those too.

 

[suzuki115]

Re: Crankbaits - Losing fish

I am a notorious "horse-em in" fisherman. Don't know if this will help or hurt, but after watching Bill Dance on TV for the past umpteen years I have picked up a few techniques that seem to have helped get fish in the boat (thanks Bill).<br /><br />I try to completely control the direction of the fish at all times. To other fishermen I probably look like a spas whipping my fishing pole back and forth like a mad man. But I think it really works.<br /><br />I will always pull the fish in the opposite direction it is heading. And I mean drastically and over exaggerated. And as soon as the fish turns I will immediately pull in the opposite direction the fish turns to.<br /><br />As you know when fighting bass/trout and especially smallmouth, they can really go spastic. And I make my best attempt to keep ahead of them pulling in the opposite direction.<br /><br />This is by no means a "smooth looking" fishing technique and thus looking like a madman to other fishermen at times, but I do get most of the fish to the boat.

 

[thedude7803]

Re: Crankbaits - Losing fish

That's good advice from Suzuki. I simply keep the rod tip up and keep tension on the line at all times. I try to always have my drag set properly, so I keep the right amount of tension on. Some people don't believe in using the drag and back reel. I am not one of those people. <br /><br />The fact of the matter is, you will lose fish. I wouldn't beat yourself up over it. Big fish get big for a reason. They don't get caught much.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Crankbaits - Losing fish

I've had very simular problems on Stripers and hybrids, and some of the good ole boys on Texoma said get rid of them hooks and go with VMC in the next larger size.<br />Fixed about 90% of the loss.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Crankbaits - Losing fish

Bob, <br /><br />There are several variables that may cause loosing fish on crankbaits. <br /><br />From my experience, I have found the predominant issue is what direction the fish is coming from to attack the bait and the presentation of the bait. In deeper water cranking, fish are usually chasing the bait and short hookups are often common. It is also not uncommon for fish on high pressured water to purposely nip the bait short. I found a crank and stop retrieve to improve the amount of hookups since it allows the fish to catch up and attack the bait with a more solid hookup. You may also want to consider using a reel that slows down your retrieve.<br /><br />Another issue is the action of the lure. Wide profile crankbaits that tend to have a lot of wobble to them do not afford the fish as much opportunity to line up with the bait. On the other hand, slim profile baits that run straighter with tighter action enable the fish to take more of the bait for a more solid hook up. This doesn't necessarily mean one is better than the other but understanding and controlling the mechanics of the baits action can help with your hookups.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Crankbaits - Losing fish

Originally posted by Bob La Londe:<br /> I switched to a lighter rod with more give and it seemed to help some, but I have since still lost two good fish recenntly on cranks.

Hi Bob, wish I were still fishing!<br /><br />When you say "lighter" how light? If the rod is still a Graphite, it is still probably too stiff. A fiberglass rod with a very slow taper, one that bends clear down to the handle. I dont mean a wimpy rod such as an ultra light, you still have to be able to put preasure on the fish. I wouldnt go to a slow retrieve reel, you need to be able to take up a lot of line fast when they run right at you. Also, a lighter line might be a help, say 8-10#s and make sure it is a mono line, you need the stretch.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Crankbaits - Losing fish

good advice LD ..

 

[Jim - Bo]

Re: Crankbaits - Losing fish

Originally posted by Bob La Londe:<br /> I'm still having problems with crank baits. I can get bit, but I seem to lose a lot of fish on crank baits. I have lost two or three really good fish this year. Two of them were easily my best bass this year. I switched to a lighter rod with more give and it seemed to help some, but I have since still lost two good fish recenntly on cranks. I have heard that a lot of people lose fish on cranks, but somehow I don't think that is the case for me. I think I am somehow playing them wrong. In each case I have had them on for a while and moved them a substantial distance. One or two I lost becasue I over horsed them to try and get them up and away from a submerged tree or something like that, but I really tend to lose them near the boat when they change direction.<br /><br />I am considering going through my cranks and upsizing all my hooks to Excalibur rotating hooks. I do get better hook ups on my baits that have those hooks, but I still have lost a few fish on those too.

 

[Jim - Bo]

Re: Crankbaits - Losing fish

I had your problem and I too played with various changes in the lures and my methods! The most critical changes I made was first a slower retieve and then the swap to "Excaliur" hooks. The slower retrieve was to compinsate for the use of the 6:1 reels I use and the added depth it gave me. The hook change was the most impressive change however. "Excalibur" only comes in sizes 4 and 6 so that was not a problem for the sizes I have been throwing. The part about the hook change I found most interesting was that the odds showed that if a faulty hook set did happen I most likely hung it again somewhere else do to the hook style. Love them hooks!