Lure retrievers

[The Wicker Man]

I fish lakes where there are lots of rocks and are forever getting my crankbaits caught in them. I was wondering which lure retiever was best. The one that slides down your line with the hooks on it, or the poll that you slide down your line. Would either of these work for crankbaits wedged in rocks?

[FJH1]

I occasionally fish a body of water called the Willow Flowage in northern Wisconsin. This water is chock-full-o-wood and eats crankbaits by the pound. About 5 years ago I purchased a yellow weighted retriever (through Bass Pro I think) that has several small chains dangling down. You wrap a spirialed guide around your taught line and lower it down to your snagged lure. Jiggle the thing around and eventually it will either bump the lure off or the chains will snag in the hooks allowing you to yank the lure free. Numerous times I have brought up my crank only to find a second crankbait tangled in the chains. I guess you could actually say that it has more than paid for itself. Since getting this thing I have not lost a single crank to the wood.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Sublux]

I also had that yellow weighted chain retriever but "I" couldn't make it work very well,..I got a few lures back,...but it took me a lot of trys on the few I was successful at,...one retriever that I thought was much better was called the FISHAWK,...its hard to explain the thing,.doesn't look like it could ever work but it goes down your line and grabs onto the eye of the lure,...most lures are pretty strong and i've never pulled out an eye yet,..only failed once so far to grab one..I forgot that I put on a slip sinker before the lure to give it more depth,...it couldn't grab it but did bump it enough to get it loose,...I don't know if Bass Pro still sells it,..but I hope to never lose it,...

[HUNTER]

Use a key ring with a 2 ounce sinker and 2 treble hooks tied to a heavy line.

[Popeye]

I have the one thats yellow with the three chains. I've had it for maybe two years and I'm serious when I say I've saved at least 50 lures. In fact, I saved one today(a Reef Runner).

[rngrfshm]

The hound dog from Bass pro has saved me many lures. Very good and easy to use retrieve.

[Walley]

I've also had good luck with the Hound Dog from Bass Pro. I added three short lengths of small chain to it to help grab the treble hooks. Works well.... although it adds a chunk of weight to the tackle box.

[Heye5]

I had one of the pole type retrievers and it was too flimsy when extended.Go with one of the cord types mentioned above. Good fishing.
Heye5