Thread: Thunderbird archives

Originally Posted by DrNip

Anyone ever tried pulling cranks at the bird?

I've had good luck with lipless cranks like 3/4oz blue/chrome rat-l-traps, but I haven't been out to TBird in a month so I can't speak to how they're working right now.

DrNip, I have not been at dirty bird in along time. Back in 2009-10 I pulled cranks down there and did pretty good. That was before the lake got so low. I can't say I loaded the boat but did manage 15-20 nice fish 10"-13" most trips. I have caught my biggest crappie from there pulling cranks. (1) 2.20 and (1) 2.10 Now everything I hear is it is mostly dinks. As IkenI said I also have caught some fair saugeye in the mix up to 6lbs. not crappie but goooood eaten.

Where were you pulling at?

I pull cranks at tbird. Usually only do it in the fall but I read some stuff about how pullin cranks can be productive in the hot summer months. So I gave it a try yesterday but only caught a few sandbass. That doesn't mean it cant work this time of year. Yesterday was kind of a strange day with the wind blowing pretty hard out of the north which is strange to me for this time of year. the theory is that the fish will be suspended around the thermocline when its very hot weather. I troll bandit 200s and 300s. Usually work points, the roadbeds, and creek channels. I try to stay around 15-20 feet of water with the baits running about 12' with a 300 and 8 feet with a 200. I long lined jigs this spring for the first time and had more success than I thought when they were in shallow. I like pulling because I can cover a lot of water and still drink beer while the rods are sittin in the rod holders lol

also, another advantage of pulling is that it can be done in rough water and when its windy and the baits wont be effect as much as say vertical jigging, spider rigging, etc because the boat is always moving and the baits are 50 to 100 foot behind the boat

I was thinking the same thing that you could cover a lot of ground and that pulling cranks wouldn't be affected much by the wind. I was also thinking that not much else was working so maybe try cranks. Only problem is I will need to invest in at least 2 - 14' and 2 - 12' rods, reels, rod holders and cranks! Maybe I'll start collecting this tackle over the colder months.

Nip - while all that stuff is nice, it's not absolutely necessary. You can troll cranks or pull jigs with most anything you have. I would recommend trying it with just a couple of 7 ft or so rods and a couple of crankbaits to see if you really enjoy that type crappie fishing. If you do, spend the money - if not, you will have saved it. Some people do but it's so boring to me it puts me to sleep. Long lining jigs is just about as bad. I have some long rods but rarely troll cranks or long line. I need to have the rods in my hand and feel the "thump." In fact, I sold my spider rig holders at the recent camp. I still have rod holders that are built in to my boat and occasionally use them. It's usually just to put the second rod in when I get a thump on one of the two I'm hand holding.

p.s. I've usually had more success at trolling motor speed than at main motor speeds. You only need about .7 mph for a crank or jig to work well.

I agree with what IKenI said. I've trolled 3 times this year due my grandson, who just turned 8, caught 2 saugeye the first time and now that's all he wants to do starting out the day! I can't even tell you what size rods I have the cranks on. I would guess 2 7' and 2 6' maybe but my 2 10 are still rigged for vertical jigging. Like Ik said, to me it gets boring pretty quick and I too like having a rod in the hand to feel that thump.