Looking for a good crankbait

[outdoor fanatic]

I've read the poll about the best crankbait and I'm looking for some advice. I'll be trolling in 8-10' of water and need a crankbait that will go down and get them. What is the best crankbait for slow trolling (using a small 9.9 Hp as slow as possible). Will I have to let the line out a long distance? Will be using 8-10 # Fireline. Thanks in advance from a novice.

[Juls_WI]

You're the reason they wrote a book called the "Precision Trolling Book". Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of it. The latest version is the 6th edition. In this book, you'll find all the answers you're looking for. Always right there at your fingertips. Quite handy in the boat..;-)

Walleye Central carries it or most of the larger fishing retailers will carry it.

Juls

[Dutchman]

Well there is no "one" or "magic" crankbait that has been manufactured as far as I know. There are several that will go that deep and are good walleye cranks. A number 5 or 7 Shad Rap or a # 5 WalleyeDiver will work well at faster speeds. Husky Jerks and Bombers, Ripsticks, Thundersticks, ThinFins, will all be in that zone. There are a host of others. You need to find what the walleyes want to eat and then feed it to them. I agree with Juls get the Precision trolling guide and then stock up on your arsenal of cranks...


" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "

[outdoor fanatic]

Thanks for the info. Do you think a 1/4 Hot N Tot would do the trick? I've picked up a couple (with the metal lip, after reading in here that they're better than the plastic lip) but not sure what depth they'll run. Also was wondering if they make a bottom bouncer for running live bait that is light enough to be used at a slow speed. Thanks again. I can't tell ya how much of a help everybody has been in teaching this rookie just from reading posts.

[Atomic Eye]

Outdoor Fanatic,

Again - ala Juls & Dutchman - Precision trolling, Precision trolling, Precision trolling, Precision trolling. See an example of what the book tells you at:

www.precisionangling.com you can oder it on-line too.

Bottom bouncers - general rules of thumb (will vary depending on what you've attached to the bottom bouncer & your trolling speed):
1 oz @ 10'deep
2 oz @ 20'deep
3 oz @ 30'deep Look at Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops catalogs to see the bottom bouncer variations available.

Vary the weight used to try to keep the angle of the line to the H2O at <45 degrees (i.e., so you're not too far out behind the boat).

Atomic Eye -- "Gone fission"

[BD]

L&S Mirrolure jointed crankbaits size OOM or 15M (mirrolure.com)

[Chad]

Try # 5 shad rap, shad rap RS and the jointed shad rap rs.

[reelbait al]

Might try a ReefRunner Ripstick. Looking up your crankbait and speed in the Precision Trolling Book, you can adjust the length of line out to dial in about any crank to any depth. Don't forget you can lessen the length of line out too and have a deepdiver run shallower... I guess I'm just a ReefRunner fanatic !

[JCarp]

All good advice. If you name one or two of the places you fish you might get some specifics on bait types/colors/presentation. I'm sure many would agree, best baits often vary from lake to lake. I could help w/central OH.

Off the top of my head - you'll get 12 or 15' w/120' lead with the 1/4 oz tot & 10# diameter and it is a good bait in many situations. Add 10% for 8# dia, 20% for 6.

In 8-10' of water w/deep divers, just let out line til you hit, then bring it up til you don't. If you want to fish up off bottom, there isn't any substitute for the PT book. Good Luck.

[s.f.]

in referance to the 45 degree angle of your line when using bottem bouncers/three-ways, take note that when you change weight size and stay at the 45 degree theory, you change speeds. 1oz. at 45 degrees
is alot slower than 45 degrees at two ounces and so on. originally, the 45 degree theory was based on using a 2oz. weight. so...just sticking to 45 degrees for the sake of staying closer to the boat could create quite of bit of variation in the amount of interst the fish show.
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