Thread: Crankbait Line Length

I've tried running them really shallow but never caught any that shallow unless I was using planer boards. I think the boat spooks them when they are that close to the surface.

Been catching a few bigguns running 6'-8' of line IN THE WATER on cranks (2' or so deep), straight line to lure. Cruising brush with big motor.. Fish ain't seemed to mind it yet. Post spawn crappie and reluctant to take a hook aggressively. Any less then 2-3 feet deep, then yeah probably gonna need them fancy boards.. but I got a few fillets in the freezer from fishin' shaller cranks thus far.

Originally Posted by Snubbys

Been catching a few bigguns running 6'-8' of line IN THE WATER on cranks (2' or so deep), straight line to lure. Cruising brush with big motor.. Fish ain't seemed to mind it yet. Post spawn crappie and reluctant to take a hook aggressively. Any less then 2-3 feet deep, then yeah probably gonna need them fancy boards.. but I got a few fillets in the freezer from fishin' shaller cranks thus far.

Are you pulling them or pushing them doing it this shallow or with that much line out? I always throw mine out the back an troll open water but would love to push them out the front or from the sides without using weights just the bait itself when in shallow water. Just assumed that the boat would scare them. Thoughts?

Been catching them for over a month in shallow water pulling off the side

Pulling them off the side of the boat (2 poles off each side). If I have company, I throw two out the back behind the boat and run them a tad deeper than the side poles. I been fishing cranks shallow, but in 10' - 12' of water over and on the edge of submerged and visible brush. We had to shallow up cause the water is dropping so fast, plus the full moon had the fish higher in the water column this weekend seemed like.

I didn't have much confidence in it at first either Xpress, until the poles started to bend. The boat doesn't bother them IMO, I was more worried about the engine idling, but seems like it stirs them up a bit. And possibly may make them hold to the brush a bit tighter. It could have just been perfect conditions, who knows, but it did catch some fish. Oh yeah and the two poles out the back we're dubbed the dink and white bass poles, since that's all they caught... Lol oh yeah and one drum :-)

Edit: Before you try your luck in or near brush you need to know the area, top to bottom. I constantly watch my FF and note brush and structure along with depth. If you just go out pulling cranks around that stuff without knowing the layout of it your gonna have a bad time and possibly lose some cranks. Don't want no angry mob coming after me with lanterns and pitch forks.... LOL

What type/size of planer boards are you guys using??

Good info.

Originally Posted by jimp

What type/size of planer boards are you guys using??

These are the ones I use. They're just like Off Shore but a lot cheaper.

Opti Tackle Ultimate Large Planer Board w/Working Spring Flag System

I'd like to find some that are smaller, but haven't yet.