Crankbaits for fishing tannic staine water in Florida?

Hi,

You guys, gals have any favorite type crank baits, while fishing stained water Lakes here in Florida? Never have tried them for Crappies, that's why I'm asking. Should I try the ones with rattles? The short fat ones, or more slender minnow types?

I am pretty sure that Bandit and Johnson lures advertise on CDC.

Thanks for any and all information.

pescador

At certain times of year Cranks work very well in Florida
Usually June - August
Biggest problem you will have in Florida is GAR -Mud Fish & bass also love cranks.
Crescent lake is not good for Cranks unless you have bucket of Greenbacks to spend
Best working cranks i have found are put out by Bass Pro Shop own line.
XTS (xpert tournament series) Lipless model, tight wiggle, little rattle....
Line weight will determine depth, distance behind boat and speed.

Thanks fishin813, appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I have pulled some bandit's with luck in the summer but like Harold said other fish like em too.

I think I have the 100 series but mostly always just pull jigs even in the summer & still catch fish

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Originally Posted by specktacklure

I have pulled some bandit's with luck in the summer but like Harold said other fish like em too.

I think I have the 100 series but mostly always just pull jigs even in the summer & still catch fish

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Thanks specktacklure,

Being fairly new in Florida and not being a crappie fisherman, trying to learn what I can. My main reason for the question on crank baits was because, I don't have a variable speed trolling motor. I had read where they pull these crank baits at a faster speed than what is used for jigs. My next question is, do you find that you can increase your speed while trolling jigs in the summertime?

Thanks and Regards,
pescador

200 and 300 size Bandits in bright colors, hot pink, solid yellow, chartreuse are my favorites

Pepper

Gonna do a bunch in mid April

Jigs are the way to go. Speed depends on depth of fish and how aggressive they are.

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Originally Posted by pescador

My next question is, do you find that you can increase your speed while trolling jigs in the summertime?

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Jigs are the way to go. Speed depends on depth of fish and how aggressive they are.

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:hesaid

crappielimits and specktacklure, thanks. I have some questions about fishing jigs, if you would be so kind as to help?

What weight jigs to troll?

Is it better with 1 or 2 jigs?

What would be a good working speed?

Any special style of jigs? roadrunners, curly tails, tubes, sliders ??

Is there any starting point as far as distance to let line out rear of boat?

What line weight do they use?

Do they use swivels to keep line from twisting?

Thanks for your help.
pescador

PM sent

What weight jigs to troll? I use both 1/16 and 1/32 in tandem , and different combinations. Just make sure the heavier jig is in front of the lighter

Is it better with 1 or 2 jigs? I use both single and tandem till I get em dialed in, or if too much trash floating I use single.

What would be a good working speed? I prefer 1.0 - 1.4 in the shallower Central Florida lakes. If fishing deeper water as slow as.8

Any special style of jigs? roadrunners, curly tails, tubes, sliders ?? I use both plain jigheads and Roadrunner Pro 2.o series with different combinations of Sliders, curl tails, StrollR's and twin tails.

Is there any starting point as far as distance to let line out rear of boat? I just make a good cast, probably +/- 40'

What line weight do they use? I use 4lb and 6lb mono, a good mono

Do they use swivels to keep line from twisting? I have ran swivels and flouro leaders for a while but seemed that grass would hang up on the swivels. Not using them anymore.

Hope this helps ya. And remember it is worth exactly what ya paid for it.:biggrin

Thanks to ALL who have replied. Seems like a good topic, we can all benefit from.

Regards,
pescador

Excellant response Huntinslabs...........very well detailed.
This should help Peacador out greatly

Main thing experiment to what you like -feel comfortable with..........
Do not overpower your sets ( 1 - 2 rigs at first) than add what you feel you
can handle, probably 4 will be a happy feel for you.

Fishing is a FUN sport - keep some records as to what you did that day and
how fish reacted........at my age i carry little card that says " in case of lost look",
please call 813 -653-1288 and speak to Carole (wife) tell her where you found me.

Good post by Ron Presley on Home Page.--shu

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Originally Posted by shuorc

Good post by Ron Presley on Home Page.--shu

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Thanks shuorc,

This is the second article I have read about stained water and crank baits, pretty much answers my question.

Water clarity is another important factor to Harrison. “As a rule of thumb, if I can see the prop on my motor it is clear enough to catch em’ on crankbaits. If the water gets stained really bad it becomes much harder to catch them on crankbaits.”

I guess what puzzles me is, If they can see small jigs being trolled, why not the crank baits??

In almost all cases the Spec is striking on a reaction style basis / same principal
a bass strikes on reaction

Vibration - color - shadow given off by bait - smaller sometimes is better
As summer months come in - bigger baits such as cranks will work as Spec's are
roaming more in water column, flats, sand bars -drop-offs. barametric pressure has settled more into a norm. Rising from 5:30 am - till around 11:30 than slow drop to
around 4:30pm - than start cycle over again. Tidal related creeks, rivers & lakes feeding into them will react heavy to rise and fall of tides ie:Crescent Lake - Woodruff
Dexter and Monroe to some extent
Warm rains - cold fronts are minor to a fish's abient warm/cold body reaction feeding
cycles will become lessor prononced.

I have had luck pulling Rapala original floating F-7 black back silver bottom. JC

^^^^ what he said! And the Smithwick Rogue in same color.