Project "Crank-Head"

[AtticaFish]

I have been on a mission since I saw Led's Phlat heads..... maybe you can help me brain storm.

In the summer when the jig bite slows down for me, I end up trolling cranks for crappie. Hoping to make up something of my own to drag around. Here was my idea - The Crank-Head





Don't get too excited... so far the result is not the best. The first pic top to bottom are 1/4 - 1/8 - 1/16 - 1/32. Second pic are 1/16's with just simple dark tail to see what kind of wiggle I could get in the tub. So far the best result is the 1/4 purple on the top. It slow-wobbles pretty consistently. Only other one to wobble was the 1/8th, the 1/32 just did the corckscrew, others for the most part just swim straight. So, I scrathed my head, pulled out some of my crankbaits and started to compare the lips. The shape is right, the top one on the second pic is a near replica to the head of a Rapala HJ. The biggest difference I can see... the position of the eye on cranks are out in front or right on the lip. So am thinking maybe a jig with a 60 deg. bend hook would get the eye out there?? A straight shank would be the best for keeping the eye in the right spot, but the head would just spin on the hook with-out an angle to it. Here is something I made up.....



Thinking the eye needs to be up front instead of on the top - The top one I was picturing a regular aberdeen hook, but think it would spin and never hold unless there was a kink in the shank. 2nd thought was a 60deg. bend jig, but only thing I can find close in the right size is a 1/8th bullet nose jig. A sparkie jig would maybe work, but just not sure about the shape of it?

Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on how this could be done?? Wish I had some training in aerodynamics or something, this is way over my head and have to slog through by trial/error. - Russ

[azslabber]

That 60 degree darter looks like it would work out the best.Great idea.

[LedHed]

AF
The jigs look good. The lip might be too wide – or too sharp of an angle. Could try adding a belly spinner for drag….
The other designs should work as well. Good stuff.

[flatfish46]

The key to good woobles is the cup the purple one has the best cup in the blade try tapering it more towards the bottom like the top remember the water has to hit a curved surface to create a up-set ,but needs to was off at the same rate You can tune it by bending one side of the lip in or out to get it to run true. Looks good!Also the blade needs to be further back in the head the eye being behind or slightly in front creates instability and won't let the bait stear itself.

[AtticaFish]

Thanks for the info Flat!!! Will try bending them to more a cup shape, lips are brass and alum. so bend pretty easy... man I need some soft water to throw these things in my pond, the tub just doesn't do it.

What do you think about trying on a 60 deg. eye jig hook or do you think I can get it to go on a regular 90? I don't have any 60 deg's, so would have to hunt down some one who pours the bullet nose or sparkie jig. Any other ideas on a specific style head?

[Redman]

Attica: Way back in the mid 1950 when anybody could buy from Wapsi. They had and sold a product called the Flutterbug.They are like what you are trying to do. I have three in my collection. They were very simple and the ones I have are tied with Marabou tails and are painted green with eyes on top of the leadhead. They have a nice wobble but are a lot longer lips than you have. The gentleman I got them from told me that they were one of Wapsi's short lived prouducts. Lacy Gee was a smart Businessman who went and found innovative people to produce product for Waspi. Some worked very well others did not. Next time you pick up your open wire bobbin thank old Lacy for bring that one to the market.

Redman

[Uncle Grump]

Attica

Some years back, I got a jig w/ a lip in a sample pack of tackle from a tournament I was in. It's a heavy hook style jig, but it may save you some time. Let me see if I can find it and snap a picture of it.

UG

[Redman]

Attica: Went out to the shed to find the Futterbugs and came up with another little gem. A jig made by Kautsky's Lazy Ike. Called PignJig.
Had to be Made some where around 1972 or 1973. It's a 1/4 oz. head with a blade in the front about a 1/0 hook bronze.

Look: Everything old is New again.

Redman

[AtticaFish]

Redman - Thanks for the names of these thing, when I have time later tonight, I am going to do some web research and see what I can find.

Have an "off this topic" question for you... Ever heard of a lure called the Bat?? Sort of a spoon type lure. Have one I dug from an ancient tackle box, wondered if it was an antique......

UG - Love to see a pic. Thanks!!

[Crappiekiller3]

Attica.....are you running a swivel in front of that? Sometimes I find a swivel
will help a crankbait run truer. Also the 1/4 oz of lead in the front may be
fighting the program. How bout a wood head rather than lead?