Pulling Cranks 101

Don't know about your boat maj but I have a 15 42 duracraft and I idled with my 25 merc last year and pulled cranks 1 time and caught crappie, twice has many little green carp but we also caught a good mess of crappie. That was labor day weekend. I am looking forward to pulling more cranks this summer, have already started my crankbait collection. By the way does anyone have treble hooks wear down while pulling? My Uncle done this all last year before I found this site. He is the one who started me. He gave me a bait and I tied it on, after missing several fish I inspected the back hook and and it was word down nearly to the barb! He knew this of course and he had a good laugh. Mean ole uncle.

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Originally Posted by biggerjigger

major, what hp is your gas motor, I was thinking you had like a 25 or 35 if so you probably wont need a drift sock or any buckets.

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Originally Posted by Wannabe...

"Thanks for all your replies and help. Hasen't this seemed to have been a pleasant thread....no name calling.....no poo flinging....just good information. I wonder who is missing."

Hey now bub, call your shots. :)

I didn't see anything to disagree with above, but no discussion of the baits to use.

If you want to start out on the cheap and build from there, here's the 4 colors of Bandit 300s I'd start with

1) Black or Black Sparkle

2) Mistake

3) Awesome Pink

4) Red - Texas Craw is a good one.

Those are the 4 basic hughes everthing else is just a variation of the above. Then you'll want to have some more colors....lots more colors.....and dont' forget about the 200s when they're up shallow....then you've got Wally Marshals when they want a snack, Norman DLNs for the big fish bite and don't forget about swimbaits if you find some mean fish..............well, you see where this leads right?

Here's a link I pilfered from Jeepster - prolly the cheapest non sale Price I've seen. Bandit Series 300 Crankbait

Only thing from above I'll add is that I prefer no snap above the bait and just use a quick figure 8 knot instead. I've had trouble with the baits not running true with additional hardward. Also 10# mono works best for me (may not on Ross Barnett) and I like the hi-vis lines. The higher and visier the better.

My best speed seems to be 1.7 or 1.8 mph.

Wannabe...

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Thanks for your input wb.

Don't do that Maj.....you're making me all nervous being nice to me. Gives me the heebie jeebies. LOL.

Wannabe...

I can see you guys are going to make me spend a lot of money this year!!! I can't wait to try it out.

My only experience trolling for crappie was with my grandfather 30 years ago in his pontoon boat.

I see references to "the Big 3" when talking about these rules and methods. Is Arkabutla too shallow to use similar methods compared to the others?

I need a mentor--my head is going to hurt trying to pack all of this info into my puny little brain.

dandy

I don't recall this being said but you will also need a good gps so you can set your trolling speed.

I use a handheld Garmin Rino130 it works great.

Donnie, you can pull cranks at 'butla. It's just not as productive as the other lakes , but then, that is the case for every other technique there as well. You don't catch many on 'butla usually, but what you do catch is QUALITY!

Ross Barnett but I THINK it's an early summer pattern. Somewhere between the pawn and when the thermocline sets up. Just know I was catching them the first few trips pretty good, then POOF, they were gone as the thermocline set up. To much cover in Ross Barnett to pull in many places

Dandy, I make an excellent role model......I'm just saying.

Don't listen to Slab on the Rhino. Go ahead and order 2 H'bird 1197s an Interlink and a 2010 Navionics Platinum chip. It'll save you a bunch of horse trading later. :)

Wannabe...

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Originally Posted by majflyboy

Creek, if you vouch for these folks I'll order 4 of those tomorrow. That's $15.00 lower than any I've seen. Thanks.

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I ordered four from this place and had no problems whatsoever, they are regularly 24.99 here, don't have to wait for a sale.

Okuma Magda Pro Line Counter MA-15DX Northwoods Wholesale Outlet

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Originally Posted by feelay

Donnie, you can pull cranks at 'butla. It's just not as productive as the other lakes , but then, that is the case for every other technique there as well. You don't catch many on 'butla usually, but what you do catch is QUALITY!

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I do better pushing cranks at 'butla. Best day there last summer was in July pushing cranks...best 7 fish weighed 15 lb 10 oz. Also do better at 1.1 to 1.4 mph there.