Tuning Crankbaits

[Paul]

This may be a dumb question, but how do you tune a crankbait? I'm interested in tuning cranks like husky jerks, where the eye comes out of the hose of the lure, and cranks like deep reef runners, where the eye is in the plastic lip. On these style baits, in what direction (around what axis) do you rotate the eye? For instance, on a deep diver, do you bend the eye in the lip back or forth towards the edges of the lip (around the axis which runs through the lip and bait), or do you rotate the eye, as if you were turning a screw (around the axis which runs through the lip perpindicularily)? Same deal for lures with the eye in the nose - do you bend the eye back or forth towards the side of the bait, or do you twist the eye like a screw.

Hope this makes sence!! Seems there are two different ways to move the eye.

Thanks for any help

[Dave S]

Do not rotate the eye of the lure but instead bend it horizontally either to the left or right. Bend the eye in the direction opposite of the direction that your lure is running off. If the lure is running to the left bend the eye to the right. If the lure is running to the right bend the eye to the left. Just a slight amount of bend will make a large correction so "easy does it". Frequently it will take several attempts before the lure is tunned.

[RANGER]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-27-01 AT 10:24AM (CST)[p]Paul,

When you tune a crankbait you actually BEND the eye, rotating is minimal and not something you want to do time and again. Eventually you'll ruin the bait because the eye has become loose and no longer tunable.

To tune the bait - run it in the water next to your boat or cast it out in front of you and reel in. Try to get it between 1 and 2 mph which is a slightly fast retrieve if reeling. Taking the posture that you are riding on the back of the lure, like riding a horse, the lure should track straight and upright. If it is tracking to either side of centerline you BEND the eye in the OPPOSITE direction a little at a time until it runs straight. As an example - if the lure is running to the left you want to BEND the eye to the right and vice versa.

This will tune nearly any crankbait with the exception of Reef Runners. RRs should be tuned to run straight, first, and then tweaked to "kick out" left and right from time to time to make it perfectly tuned. Very difficult to learn but once learned it becomes second nature after time.

Any time you tune a crank be mindful that if it is perfectly tuned at 1 to 2.5 mph but dies before 1 mph or starts flipping at 2.7 mph you have found the DESIGN LIMITAIONS of that bait. This is NOT an error in tuning, it is a necessary limitation in design.


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[Paul]

Thanks for the replies, Dave and Ranger.

Unfortunately, I'm still totally confused!

If I understand correctly...to tune a deep thunderstick or reef runner, I would hold a needlenose or other tool so that it is pointed straight down at the lip, and twist the eye right or left, as if turning a screw. And to tune a rapala-type bait, I again would hold the tool so that it is pointed straight down past the nose of the lure, and bend the eye right or left.

I assume the main intent is to change the direction slightly that the line is pulling the lure. Sound about right?

Thanks

[RANGER]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-27-01 AT 11:24AM (CST)[p]Yes and no.

You refer to it as "turning", it isn't. You BEND it in the opposite direction as it is running in the water. You grab the eyehook with the needlenose pliers and BEND it, similar to breaking a piece of wire by bending it back and forth until it breaks through.

As far as positioning the pliers themselves - do it at your most comfortable method. I hope I didn't throw you off by referencing "riding a horse". That was only for directional purposes. When you BEND the eye hold the pliers and lure however is best for you but remember to BEND THE EYE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION of the way it is runnung in the water. And BEND it a little at a time, testing in between. When I do mine I hold the lure in my left hand, at eye level in front of my face, and apply the pliers and pressure with my right hand and watch the eyehook move.

And, yes, you want to move that eye in a direction that when the LINE is pulling the bait thru the water it excerts pressure in the opposite direction of the way the lure was running. Yes, you are moving the angle of the eyehook in relation to perpendicular to the lip or bill or nose. It's like backing your trailer - If you want your trailer to go RIGHT the back of the truck has to go LEFT. Same principle.

Does this help?


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[Paul]

It sure does, Ranger. Thanks!

What is the best way to "grab" the eye of a deep diver....it seems all you would be able to get a firm grip on would be the split ring.

Thanks again

[RANGER]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-27-01 AT 11:33AM (CST)[p]Take the split ring off, tune the crank and then replace the split ring with a snap, preferably a coast lock snap, not snap swivels. Helps the lure run truer. IMHO. I don't like split rings for two reasons. 1) I answered; 2) I have lost good fish because the line got in between the "rings" of the split ring during the fight and cut the line. I won't have them on MY lures!


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[mwalleye]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-27-01 AT 01:47PM (CST)[p]Ranger you run your cranks with the split ring off and a clip on your line. Is that right? I always have a heck of a time tuning and keeping reef runners tuned. But I always leave the split ring on. Would I still get the action by taking off the split ring and going only with my snap on my line?


See you on the water

[Dave in Mpls]

I was just reading Ranger's post asking myself the same question. I better throw my split ring pliers into the boat tonight so I can give it a try this weekend.

Regards

[Chad]

By using a snap with a large gap you it is acting likt a split ring. You will loose action if you tie the line directly to the eye without using a split ring or snap.

[Juls_WI]

Open the pliers and put one side of the needlenose on the oppisite side of the eye that your going to bend to, and the other side of the needlenose on the outside of the lip.

For example if your holding the lure in front of you with the lip facing you and your lure is running to the left. Put one side of the needlenose on the left side of the eye and the other needlenose on the outside and rightside of the lip. Bend the eye to the right gently, using the leverage you have with the help of the outside of the lip of the lure. You can leave the split rings on. No need to take them off.

I hope you can understand that. It's harder to explain than to do. Never turn (screw) the eye or you will ruin it in the long run.

You can also save some trouble and buy yourself a "Lure Tuner" you can see it or order it from the following address...
http://www.joebucher.com/tackle/accessories.html#anchor128597

Juls

[RANGER]

Yes, I replace the split ring with the snap regardless of what I have on my line as terminal tackle. That is usually a snap or a snap swivel. So, yes, I will often hook the snap swivel to the snap on the crank. These are MY preferences, I know a lot of folks leave the split ring on the crank and have no problems. I have had problems so I take them off.


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!