The only time I've actually "Pulled" cranks is when trolling for Hybrid Striped Bass, and many times I had a leader line running from the front hook to a jig.

I have "Pushed" cranks (pre-Livescope) and done okay (at Green), but have done far better Pushing jigs (at Green & Taylorsville). I preferred Pushing to Pulling for "control" reasons & length of line out reasons.

I know slabeye used to Push cranks in the middle of the day at Green and was quite successful doing so, but I don't remember if his success was better in the early Summer months or later Summer Months.