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Was gonna head out later and try to mix it up from minnows and jigs and cast tiny 1-1/2" crankbaits from shore for crappie....caught them 6-8ft deep last time, these little cranks only list going 2-4ft running depth. Heard people doing it before but wanted ya'lls input....Will adding a small split shot 12-18" up the line be a good idea for added depth? Will it still have the same swimming action? Thanks fellas.
I have done that before....Yes action should be the same. When I push crankbaits trolling at 1.7 mph I use a three oz. trolling weight 3 ft. ahead of the crankbait to control my depth and the action is the same.
I fish 3/4",and 1"cranks,mostly trolling,I add a split shot to get it down with no problems.Before you Add your shot,cast it where you can watch the action,sometimes a new crank will need tuned from the package,If all is well,add your shot,and watch it again,this should help you decide if it is running correctly.
After adding the spit shot you can count the lure down usually about 1 foot per second. Cast count 1 2 3 4 the bait should be about 4 feet down, slow your retrieve down to hold the depth. Keep track of what you counted down and when you get bit this will help keep you consistently catching once fish are found.
I had some luck pitching a crank on a shoreline once that may give you some of the info you're looking for. I had a power drive motor on as absolutely slow as I could make it go. Easing down a bank, looking for largemouth, I threw a small Bomber crank with a chartreuse back. Smaller but not much different in shape than a Bandit. Depth never got to 6 feet. I pitched ahead of the boat and slow rolled it back. Never caught a bass but I did get almost a limit of keeper crappie that were looking for someplace to maybe set up house. 200yds along the shoreline changed and the bite ended and I had gotten cold so it was off to the house, but I learned a technique that day that I had never used before. Hope this helps some.