Being a skilled angler calls for many qualities, but being able to tie a crankbait correctly would be at the top of the list.
We know it’s difficult to get this information if you don’t have many friends with similar hobbies that could teach you how these things go, so we’ve put together this guide to help you achieve success.
If you’re interested in fishing in general and you want to gather as much information on this subject as you possibly can, then we would recommend checking out other related articles on our websites, such as the one on a solid fly fishing rods or a good baitcasting rods.
How they work
Crankbaits get their name from their ability to float when they’re thrown in the water because the crank needs to be turned for them to be effective. The moment the crank is set, it provides action to the bait, and it will start attracting fish to it.
Usually, there’s a split ring applied to the top of the bait (called the diving lip), and that’s where you need to tie your lure if you are to proceed correctly. Instead of that, you can also find a small hole that you have to pull your line through.
Crankbaits are usually the preferred choice of more experienced anglers, given that they’re more effective than other lures. You need to consider everything from the shape of the lip to whether or not they rattle, the speed of the retrieval or whether they have a wide or narrow wobble.
Preferences
Crankbaits might happen to be the choice of anglers that are looking for an alternative that allows them to explore various depth zones and cover large areas of water quickly.
They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors but their defining feature is the lure bill. This is what divides them as shallow, medium or deep-diving plugs.
For shallow water, crankbaits with square bills might be the best choice you’ve got. A one-inch statement will fit well for medium depth, around 10 feet, while anything around 0 feet will increase the potential of longer bills to prove their efficiency.
Tying them directly
If you feel like whenever you try to rig a crankbait by using a snap swivel they swim somewhat weirdly, you might find it easier to tie them directly. Use a non-slip loop knot to enhance your chances of success.
You can find many guides with bright pictures on how to tie this type of knot, and it should be enough to look at the instructions once or twice to be sure you’ve got it right.
The non-slip loop is, as its name says it, very effective, but it might require some skills that you’re likely to develop in time.
However, if you find this to be a little complicated, some easier alternatives are adapted for less experienced anglers, such as the one explained below.
The clinch knot
Another viable option would be to tie the lure through the ring by using a clinch knot, a fishing technique that has proved to be effective. You wrap the bait around itself a few times over to make sure it stays in place, and you tie the knot afterward, which will increase its chances of resisting.
Again, there are a lot of guides showing precise instructions, and you won’t have any trouble understanding the process once you’ve seen a few detailed pictures.
The lipless crankbait
If you happen to stumble upon a lipless crankbait, there’s no need to be worried. The principle is almost the same, the only difference being the fact that the split ring is not on the diving lip anymore, but instead is placed right at the top of the bait.
You need to tie your lure to the split ring using the same techniques as you would if it were any ordinary crankbait with a diving lip.
As we’ve discussed previously, lipless crankbaits might be most effective if they’re used in shallow water, whereas their rate of success will lower as the water rises in depth.