Crankbaits vs livebait

[Walleye man Lance]

I was wondering what catches more and bigger walleye CONSISTANTLY, crankbaits or live bait such as minnows leeches and worms. Thanks

[Chuck]

Western Erie we use Cranks. Natural baits never seem to produce.

[EAGLE EYES]

For the most part either/or depends on the body of water, size of the primary forage, time of year ect... If I were to state this generally, I would say the bigger fish will hit the cranks and more of the eyes will munch the live bait. Like stated earlier though, that rule has so many variables. What type of water do you usually fish?

[Jimmy]

General rule of thumb crankbaits catch bigger fish where livebait catches more numbers of smaller fish.

[Backwater Eddy]

Man that's a good question? Spring and winter I would say live baits , and fall and summer artifices seem to hit the piggy's best. But there are variations on this also?

Cranks are generally a bulked up presentation so I feel that is why larger walleye are consistently caught on them. Plus they can be fished more effectively and cover larger areas more quickly.

Some body's of water are all live bait while others are mainly artificial baits, so it may break down to regional preferences and condition?

I know over the years In-Fish has kept records on all the Master Angler entries so if we could get some feedback on trophy walleye percentages from them I would say it would be some good data to consider.


"Backwater Eddy"............................><,,>

[Chad]

I believe that the bigger fish are more nomadic wondering around chasing forage. This would lead me to believe that using cranks to cover more ground would lead to more encounters with pigs.