Did You Know

[zsmith62]

I've done both spin and fly fishing at rivercut, and had about the same amount of success. When spinfishing, I used brown grubs and the little rebel crawfish crankbaits and thats about all I ever had to bring. When fly fishing, I used to use just about every streamer I had, but would occaisionally throw a hopper or something to catch bluegill. As far as whether it's bank fishing or wading, I can't even think of anywhere where there is really that good of bank fishing. If you want to get on fish, be prepared to get wet.

[Ämp]

I fish multiple styles dependent mainly upon who I am fishing with.. for the most part a good spinerbait will take every fish in there , gar included.. I hear most people fish with crankbaits .. just a few thoughts on the subject.... #1 whats more suitable in a place with constant changes in depth,structure and cover a crank bait that is easily lost in the chunk rock or weeds? or a spinerbait that wont hang up even on some of the worst casts?... #2 crankbaits often take the same color and general profile as a spinerbait with out the ability to fish it as fast or slow as you want . on top of that you have to think that some spots could be 15 ft deep others could be 1ft.. how are you going to let it fall to that fish on the edge of the eddie? #3 spinerbaits are 1$ at wally world a good crankbait is 5$..

now before you get up in arms about fishing with a craw colored crank let me say these do work ..but in another sense there is so many different lures that could take its place and be much more effective. soft plastics for example a baby brushhog or crawdad imitation could be way more productive and less costly than say a small wiggle wart.. brushhogs come 20 to a pack +hooks + sinkers for every body in the bag and your still looking at less $ than 2 crankbaits.. same goes for spinerbaits .. 5 spinerbaits to one crankbait. I am not downing cranks at all .. they have their place. To be extremely successful though one has to take a step back from that favorite lure that took your 5lbser 3 yrs ago and fish with the lure that fits the situation . With that said ..something that sinks is weedless and follows the coloring of prey will be way more successful at a place like rivercut...

[RSBreth]

I like your ideas about $ versus results- but my spinnerbaits wind up costing more than my cranks!

Al Agnew and everyone on Riversmallies.com have gone 'round and 'round on this one topic. I agree with the maxim that a good lure that cost over 10 bucks (like a Sammy) and flat catches fish is worth more than 100 bucks worth of cheapies that don't.

I've never liked those "one buck" spinnerbaits, but I do have a buddy who uses them. I know I'm too picky.

Cranks (or any lure) are really easy to get back when you're in a canoe, but always get hung up in impossible places when wading.

I have tons of wading spots around the Springfield/Nixa/Ozark area, I'm just a little stingy with giving the info out on the open forum.

I answer most personal messages and email, though.

[Al Agnew]

RSBreth hit the nail on the head...crankbaits are about the most likely lures to get hung up where you can't reach them while wading. For that reason, the only cranks I'll use when wading are shallow runners that will go over the top of most rocky areas. Of course, I'll still be tempted to cast them into the brush and logs and end up hanging them up and having to swim for them, but a shallow crank that runs less than 2 feet deep is a more viable choice when wading than the deeper runners.

Actually, wade-fishing from May to October, I limit my selection of lures to a couple of topwaters, a buzzbait or two, a couple of my homemade spinnerbaits, and some tubes with hooks and lead. Fishing during the week when you can avoid the crowds and fishing pressure, most of the time the topwaters work well. I could probably get by with just the topwaters and the tubes...fish the topwaters while wading away from the access, then turn around and fish the tubes while wading back to the car.

[Ämp]

My main take on spiner vs crank is pretty clear ,I cast Into structure not around it .. I let it fall in the most ideal places..I can put one spare in my pocket and walk for miles with just a rod.. there is nothing wrong with a crank , but a person with much xp on the subject will soon realize what looks the best does not matter as much as what will work the best.. doesnt matter how special that yozuri jerk bait looks if it wont get down to a smallie , doesnt matter how pretty your craw colored crank is a soft plastic will take its place hands down. cranks have a place in fishing , but the ideal means of catching a fish is putting it in his face to start. IF.... A. you think fish stay in the current all day . B. smallies are a topwater fish . C. fishing 2 ft of the strike zone is ideal , then maybe a crank bait is exactly what you need .

[RSBreth]

I don't think anyone was saying anything antagonistic about your approach, but you're off base on thinking you can't put a crank (or any lure) right in the middle of a snaggy spot. I do tend to use a spinnerbait or other more snagless plastic right in the middle of some downed timber, but cranks designed for cranking timber are amazingly snagless.

You can say whatever you want about me and my fishing style, but questioning Al A on the subject of river Smallmouth is like trying to give Tiger Woods advice about golf. Seriously? Did you just do that?

[Ämp]

This post is to help people, not to argue or disrespect anyone.. if it was taken that way I am in the truest sense sorry for that. In the same breath I must say though if you read back I did state crankbaits have a use, but to clarify this was a bank fishing post for people that maybe are not as good as tiger woods .

Btw I am fairly positive that even tiger woods still takes hints and tips whenever he can get em.

PS. let me know when you want to go to SM school , fall classes are starting soon

Ämp®

[smallmouthjoe]

All of the square billed cranks I've ever used can be fished right through heavy timber if you simply allow it to float back up after you feel it hit a limb. And if I do get it caught on a limb my pocket knocker usually does the trick. Spinnerbaits are no doubt a great bait and a bait that all anglers of all skill levels use, and to me that is there downfall.

All of this is just a matter of taste, there's no right or wrong.

[Dan052]

1 dollar spinner baits? I didn't even know there was such a thing.

[Flysmallie]

you simply allow it to float back up after you feel it hit a limb.

I just love when a fish comes and attacks it when you are letting it rise.