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Fishing a lake you have never fished before your anxious about the information being returned to your depth sounder in the form of arc's as you cover select areas of the lake. If your unit is equipped to show fish symbols, turn it OFF. That is false information which we discuss in other lessons. The arks indicate fish are assembled around a defined structure in about 30 feet of water. It also seems to show a cluster of bait fish around the same depth. You would like to cover that area quickly since your time on the water is limited. This would suggest the use of a crank bait as one possible solution.
It's best if you mimic the bait fish in the area based on what you have seen and read about the lake. Your not wanting to use a deep diving crank bait which is generally larger with bill to match and exhibits more of a quick wobble action. The bait is more intrusive than you desire since you wish to keep the bait small. You also wish to be as natural as possible while simulating the movement of a minnow.
Solution:
Select a lengthier shallow diving crank and attach a weight to the front hook clasp. See Fig A. This will accomplish the task and provide you with several advantages.
1.....you will reach the desired depth
2.....accurately be able to cast past your target the
distance needed to compensate for angle of decent
3.....be able to cover the depth zone you desire
4.....complete control of your bait
5.....be able to feel what the bait is doing
6.....drop and lift the bait without loosing contact (feel)
7.....use a much smaller size bait for a more natural presentation
8.....control path of retrieve offsetting bait drift
9.....no need to crank to attain depth desired
You can opt for a crank with weight built in but it does not offer as much versatility nor direct feel of the bait as with weight attached. Factory weighted cranks can also be very effective, depending on what your trying to accomplish.
On your next fishing trip select a shallow diving, minnow like crank bait and attached a weight. You will be surprised at the results.
The pendulum movement of the weight creates more of a rolling from side to side as the bait is moved forward and then dropped and lifted again. This is characteristic of a dying or injured bait fish. See animation Fig 1A
Fig 1A
Animation shows frontal shot of crank less the bill for visual effect. Simply activate the toggle switches.
On your next fishing trip select a shallow diving, minnow like crank bait and attach a weight. You will be surprised at the results.
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Fishing crank baits can be very rewarding given certain conditions. Believing that mimicking, as best you can, the living environment of the species your targeting when it involves introduction of an artificial bait, determines the choice of baits used.
