Friday

[Bill Babler]

Dennis, you crack me up, that was so funny. Glad you had a great weekend buddy. On your next trip, we will have to get together.

Tgnat, the ponds you have referred to are great ponds for the cranks, especially LOZ. The one you are fishing now if you will look over the side of the boat, may be just a mite clearer, requiring a more suttle and natural presentation, rather than a rattling fast moving hunk of plastic.

If you got it in your heart to catch a Jaw on a cranker, by gosh I believe you can do it. I would throw any of the wiggle warts in a seafood pattern on either flat gravel or windy shelf rock. Wind being the key. Keep it in the back of your mind, and when you see the right condition, heave it out there, and fish it on a stop and go retrieve and see if you get a nip.

Good luck on the cranker, and thanks for the posts about your fishing on the rock, it is much appreciated.

Great Fishing out there. bb

[troutgnat]

I knew he wasn't using a cranker I was just looking for some info to help me catch some smallies on a crank this time of year. One of you all brought up a good point though about Wiggle Warts. I've got this bite down in the spring and have had alot of fun. Who doesn't enjoy the wiggle wart bite in the spring??? Anyway, I never really considered throwing the wart much any other time. Could it be that productive???

[denjac]

I knew he wasn't using a cranker I was just looking for some info to help me catch some smallies on a crank this time of year. One of you all brought up a good point though about Wiggle Warts. I've got this bite down in the spring and have had alot of fun. Who doesn't enjoy the wiggle wart bite in the spring??? Anyway, I never really considered throwing the wart much any other time. Could it be that productive???

They will hit the wart this time of year. Like Bill said though pick your conditions to throw it. Windy banks cloud cover. You mentioned the shad rap too. It will work on this lake too, the no 7 will catch more fish but the no.9 wll catch better size. They are a pain to throw as they catch to much wind. No doupt in my mind I could go out today and catch some on the wart but I would rather be throwing the jig. If thats your confidnce bait throw it.

[troutgnat]

Thanks Denjac!,

Definitely not always my confidence bait but just enjoy the feel of the sucking in of that crankbait when the bite is on. Also, the fight on a fiberglass wobble stick is just incredible!.......LOL. That really is what gets it for me. Kind retarded, huh?

Funny thing is, I never threw a crank yesterday though had the rod and them with me. Was too busy catching fish........HA

[Wayne SW/MO]

(they are made of balsa wood)

You got the wrong ones, the good ones are made of cedar.

I've had some luck on the X Raps in the fall. The take is very subtle, so you have to pay close attention.

[denjac]

You got the wrong ones, the good ones are made of cedar.

You are right my mistake.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I crank a lot if the fishing is slow, but I can and its questionable if its economical feasable for the professional guides to do it. The real guides have to produce and its unlikely they would carry 10 or 12 cranks in the same size and color of each that they thought might be productive. Fishing with 2 people of unknown experience, not wanting to risk running out of a producing lure, worrying about a lot of trebles, and chasing hangups just doesn't sound like something would do.

Don't forget they don't search for fish as much as they check out spots, and plastic is cheap and very productive in the right areas, areas they are very familiar with.

I would be suspicious of a guide that said we were going to pull crankbaits for bass.

They can be a good tool for amateurs looking for fish.

[troutgnat]

good point about the guides, but for me I'm going to do it because like you said, I can. Hmmmm........A 4+lb smallie on a noodle crankin stick?........sounds like a whole lot of fun!