Essential Crankbaits For Trolling...

[kjackson]

Since this forum has been kind of slow lately, I thought I'd ask about something that I've been considering.

The backstory is that I am in the process of thinning the herd, and now the focus is on crankbaits. One simply does not need four double-sided satchel boxes crammed to the gills with crankbaits--at least not in Beaver and Table Rock.

So--what are the essentials?

Here's what I'm keeping: Flicker Shads (and maybe Flicker Minnows if they prove themselves), Shad Raps, Storm Smash Shads (gotta have those because of the UV finishes), Tail Dancers and Hot N Tots. The Flatfish Mag Lip 3.5 is in as is the 3.0 if it proves itself. I'll probably run Strike King's new series as they appear to be different enough from their lookalikes to be useful.

What am I missing? What other must-haves are out there?

I am getting rid of all of my Cordell Grappler Shads and the latest (but discontinued) version of the Lindy Shadling. The Wally Divers are still possibly in the line up as might be the Deep Thunderstick.

[J-Doc]

I'm taking donations for the crankbait challenged. Just meet me at the ramp with said satchels and I'll take them off your hands. :-)

I think you have the bases covered. Don't forget Rapala. Some days , one brand/type outperforms others. So it's best to try different types and let the fish tell you which they want.

[rps]

You can simplify even more. My suggested minimalist trolling cranks box:

5 to 15 feet deep - Flikr Shad

12 to 25 feet - Wiggle Warts, HotNTots, and Cabelas Wally Runner (maybe Storm ThunderCranks too)

25 to 35 feet - MagWarts and Norman Deep Little N.

I have others, notably Bomber Fat Free Shad, but 90+ percent of the time these will take all usual target species.

[J-Doc]

How do you get Warts down to 25ft? The 25-35ft range has elludeded me. I need to try some alternatives so I don't have to go to downriggers.

[Feathers and Fins]

Flicker Shad

Smash Shad

Wiggle Wart

Mag Wart

Rapala SR 7 AN 9

[rps]

A wart will hit 25 feet on 10/2 power pro depth hunter if you let out 250 feet of line. Needless to say this is NOT suitable for contours that twist and turn. However, if you have a creek channel like Owl Creek that is infested with tree tops at 30 to 20 feet and the walleye are suspended in the tree tops, the bait works very well. Warts are one of the most hang resistant of all the cranks I troll.

[LarryC]

Redfins 50 feet behind 10 pound balls can be held right on there noses in the right water. I dislike having 150 feet of line out but do it at times, 250 is way out of my league.

I downrig a lot, its not that hard and keeps more lures in the water. Two behind balls and two long lines.

[J-Doc]

I love downriggers. Just don't have any.

(yet)

[rps]

Down rig works. No doubt about it. For me, it is a matter of preference. I fish by myself 98% of the time. Do I want to mess with snap weights or down rigs or planer boards? Not really. My preference is me, arod, a reel, a line and a bait. Even if, sometimes, it is a very long line. Of course, I also hold my rods, instead of having them in holders.

[kjackson]

I'm open to lures used with downriggers (also leadcore and snapweights), so I welcome suggestions.

I'm surprised at the Wiggle Wart and Mag Wart, though. I will put the pre-Rapala Warts I have on the block as I'm also looking to pick up a kayak with the proceeds from that sale.

Any other must-haves in the hardbait line?