I am really good with worms, spinner baits, and minnow baits.
However, I am having trouble catching fish on crankbaits and jigs. I think it's something I'm doing wrong, because I see others catching fish on them on TV and so on.
My question is basically, how do I choose colors/size/depth for specific situations, and how do I retrieve the bait.
Thanks guys,
-Mike
how to fish crankbaits jigs
-
johnnie crain outdoors
- Posts: 1504
- Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2002 5:00 pm
how to fish crankbaits jigs
Mike,
Crankbaits are simple to use, but also quite complex at times. Basically I arm myself with these selections. I prefer wood baits over plastic, but they are hard to come by.
Choose a bait that runs from 3' to 6'. Some of the newer shallow divers will do this. Color-crawfish green-bluegill-or shad.
Next, a bait that dives, 6' to 10' in firetiger, crawfish or shad colors. Next, a bait that will dive between 10' and 15'. You need go no deeper, other baits work better below 15', again, shad, firetiger or crawfish.
Use the shad patterns in fairly clear water, the firetiger and crawfish in stained water.
Make fairly long casts. Begin with a rapid retrieve to get the bait to it's intended depth, then slow down, the bait will maintain it's depth at a fairly slow speed. Don't believe that keeping the bait running fast will drive it deeper. They are designed to only function properly at certain speeds, over that speed and they roll-over and lose depth. At times, it's good to use a stop and go technique. Get the bait down, stop the retrieve for two seconds and begin retrieve, do this all through the retrieve. A lot of hits occur when you stop the bait, if a bass in right behind the bait, chasing, it has two choices when it stops, eat it or avoid it.
I carry over 80 crankbaits, but two of each of the one's I've suggested should get you in the hunt. Don't be afraid to throw them into heavy cover either. Crankbaits should be bouncing off something, cover, rocks or the bottom for best results.
That's enough for now. Don't want to hog the board. If no one else replies I'll tell you about jigs. There are good jig anglers on this site. Good luck. Johnnie
Crankbaits are simple to use, but also quite complex at times. Basically I arm myself with these selections. I prefer wood baits over plastic, but they are hard to come by.
Choose a bait that runs from 3' to 6'. Some of the newer shallow divers will do this. Color-crawfish green-bluegill-or shad.
Next, a bait that dives, 6' to 10' in firetiger, crawfish or shad colors. Next, a bait that will dive between 10' and 15'. You need go no deeper, other baits work better below 15', again, shad, firetiger or crawfish.
Use the shad patterns in fairly clear water, the firetiger and crawfish in stained water.
Make fairly long casts. Begin with a rapid retrieve to get the bait to it's intended depth, then slow down, the bait will maintain it's depth at a fairly slow speed. Don't believe that keeping the bait running fast will drive it deeper. They are designed to only function properly at certain speeds, over that speed and they roll-over and lose depth. At times, it's good to use a stop and go technique. Get the bait down, stop the retrieve for two seconds and begin retrieve, do this all through the retrieve. A lot of hits occur when you stop the bait, if a bass in right behind the bait, chasing, it has two choices when it stops, eat it or avoid it.
I carry over 80 crankbaits, but two of each of the one's I've suggested should get you in the hunt. Don't be afraid to throw them into heavy cover either. Crankbaits should be bouncing off something, cover, rocks or the bottom for best results.
That's enough for now. Don't want to hog the board. If no one else replies I'll tell you about jigs. There are good jig anglers on this site. Good luck. Johnnie
Johnnie Crain
-
sh03z
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:00 pm
how to fish crankbaits jigs
Oh. I never really knew that stuff, I actually was doing the stop and go retrieve, but not like that. I jerked the rod really fast instead of just stopping and resuming the retrieve. I think I might of been retrieving too fast, and therefore the lure was flipping over.
80 crankbaits??? WOW
I only have 5...and they are different than the one you suggested. I really was glad you covered the crankbait colors, as I was lost before.
I actually caught a big pickeral today on a crankbait...was pretty fun, I guess they do work. Only thing I was trolling, not fan casting or long casting.
Next time I'm at BPS I'll get a few of those colors mentioned. In the mean time I'll fish the ones I do have with that technique.
Thanks Johnnie,
-Mike
80 crankbaits??? WOW
I only have 5...and they are different than the one you suggested. I really was glad you covered the crankbait colors, as I was lost before.
I actually caught a big pickeral today on a crankbait...was pretty fun, I guess they do work. Only thing I was trolling, not fan casting or long casting.
Next time I'm at BPS I'll get a few of those colors mentioned. In the mean time I'll fish the ones I do have with that technique.
Thanks Johnnie,
-Mike
-fishing is fun-
-
johnnie crain outdoors
- Posts: 1504
- Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2002 5:00 pm
how to fish crankbaits jigs
Mike some good name brands include, Poe's/Yakima, Berkley Frenzy, Wiggle Wart, Cotton Corden, Bandit,Bomber and Lucky Craft. Can't really go wrong on these. Good luck.
Johnnie Crain
-
sh03z
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:00 pm
how to fish crankbaits jigs
I'll look for those at BPS, I thought rapala was real good,
how about this one for dirty water: http://image.basspro-shops.com/images/i ... 59947f.jpg
and this one for clear water: http://image.basspro-shops.com/images/i ... /19545.jpg
-Mike
how about this one for dirty water: http://image.basspro-shops.com/images/i ... 59947f.jpg
and this one for clear water: http://image.basspro-shops.com/images/i ... /19545.jpg
-Mike
-fishing is fun-
-
johnnie crain outdoors
- Posts: 1504
- Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2002 5:00 pm
how to fish crankbaits jigs
Mike, Rapala makes excellent baits as do a hundred other companies, I just wanted to get you looking at some of the bait types, I think you're on your way. Good luck. Catch one for me. Johnnie
Johnnie Crain
-
sh03z
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:00 pm
-
johnnie crain outdoors
- Posts: 1504
- Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2002 5:00 pm
how to fish crankbaits jigs
Mike,
Since no one else is on this I'll make some jig suggestions. Go with bass jigs with a weed guard in sizes, 1/4-3/8 and 1/2 ounce. There are different applications for each.
There are two basic styles to choose from, the classic jighead and the needle nose. If you're fishing weeds or grass go with the needle nose, it cuts through the weeds easier. All other times use the classic head.
Flippin' and pitchin' are by far the most productive jig techniques. That's dropping or tossing and jig and trailer combination right into heavy cover. Good trailers include, pork frogs or plastic craws ETC. Can't go wrong with Black/blue color combinations. Use heavy line. When fishing weed cover with the needle nose select longer slimmer trailers such as a six inch worm etc., not a curly tail though, they grab weeds, lub the jig and trailer with fish formula to help it glide through the weeds etc. Comes through the vegetation better. Use the lightest jig that will penetrate the cover, you may have to use a 1/2 to 1 ounce jig to penetrate floating weed mats.
There are times when fishing points and bluffs that simply swimming a jig and combination across the bottom slowly will work. I often like to cast out a 1/4 ounce jig tipped with a #1 pork frog and skim it across the surface on warm days. Takes a little practice but works. Hope this gets ya going. Johnnie
Since no one else is on this I'll make some jig suggestions. Go with bass jigs with a weed guard in sizes, 1/4-3/8 and 1/2 ounce. There are different applications for each.
There are two basic styles to choose from, the classic jighead and the needle nose. If you're fishing weeds or grass go with the needle nose, it cuts through the weeds easier. All other times use the classic head.
Flippin' and pitchin' are by far the most productive jig techniques. That's dropping or tossing and jig and trailer combination right into heavy cover. Good trailers include, pork frogs or plastic craws ETC. Can't go wrong with Black/blue color combinations. Use heavy line. When fishing weed cover with the needle nose select longer slimmer trailers such as a six inch worm etc., not a curly tail though, they grab weeds, lub the jig and trailer with fish formula to help it glide through the weeds etc. Comes through the vegetation better. Use the lightest jig that will penetrate the cover, you may have to use a 1/2 to 1 ounce jig to penetrate floating weed mats.
There are times when fishing points and bluffs that simply swimming a jig and combination across the bottom slowly will work. I often like to cast out a 1/4 ounce jig tipped with a #1 pork frog and skim it across the surface on warm days. Takes a little practice but works. Hope this gets ya going. Johnnie
Johnnie Crain
-
mofish
- Posts: 570
- Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2001 5:00 pm
how to fish crankbaits jigs
Jonnie has given you some great info as always. I just want to say a couple of things about what I use.
As far as crankbaits I use some of the Strike King Pro Model crankbaits they have one for each of the depths that Jonnie mentioned try the Gizzard shad color and the Chart/blue back as well as the Craw colors. My wife and I fish Tournaments together and she throws these cranks 90% of the time and alot of times she out fishes me. These baits are smaller than alot of cranks out there and that helps catch more fish. The new bleeding bait hooks on these cranks are also nice to use.
As far as jig fishing goes, read this http://www.bassinusa.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ul ... 1&t=000181
that will get you started in jig fishing and then you can make the jump to the bigger jigs. One thing about jig fishing is it takes a while to learn it you just have to stay with it and don't give up.
The most important thing to remember with either a jig or a crankbait is eratic retrieves. Find what the fish want and continue until they tell you something different is needed.
Conley
As far as crankbaits I use some of the Strike King Pro Model crankbaits they have one for each of the depths that Jonnie mentioned try the Gizzard shad color and the Chart/blue back as well as the Craw colors. My wife and I fish Tournaments together and she throws these cranks 90% of the time and alot of times she out fishes me. These baits are smaller than alot of cranks out there and that helps catch more fish. The new bleeding bait hooks on these cranks are also nice to use.
As far as jig fishing goes, read this http://www.bassinusa.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ul ... 1&t=000181
that will get you started in jig fishing and then you can make the jump to the bigger jigs. One thing about jig fishing is it takes a while to learn it you just have to stay with it and don't give up.
The most important thing to remember with either a jig or a crankbait is eratic retrieves. Find what the fish want and continue until they tell you something different is needed.
Conley
Thanks,
Conley Staley
Conley Staley
-
sh03z
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:00 pm
how to fish crankbaits jigs
All right guys,
Thanks for all the info, you all are very nice people.
I went out and bought two jigs and two crankbaits.
I'm fishing dirty lakes mostly with hydrilla and deep cover.
The crankbaits are for trolling in deeper water, and also stop-n-go retrieve.
Thanks Johnnie and mofish for the tips, I will definatly try them next time I hit the water.
-Mike
Thanks for all the info, you all are very nice people.
I went out and bought two jigs and two crankbaits.
I'm fishing dirty lakes mostly with hydrilla and deep cover.
The crankbaits are for trolling in deeper water, and also stop-n-go retrieve.
Thanks Johnnie and mofish for the tips, I will definatly try them next time I hit the water.
-Mike
-fishing is fun-