Crane baits
esoxmag
Posted 3/29/2022 9:04 PM (#1003989)
Subject: Crane baits




Posts: 96


Does anyone know the make and size of the hooks on a 206, 207, and 208 crane bait.
Ogandrews
Posted 3/30/2022 5:22 AM (#1004000 - in reply to #1003989)
Subject: Re: Crane baits




Posts: 224


Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
I don’t know what the stock hooks are but I have always changed the hooks and split rings right when I get the bait. 206 gets a 1/0 gamakatsu short shank or mustad 1/0 round bend, 207 gets a 2/0 mustad round bend. You can get away with having larger hooks due to how buoyant those baits are. I wouldn’t even feel comfortable fishing for bass with those hooks they come with, nowhere near heavy enough for a big fish
Rudedog
Posted 3/30/2022 5:38 AM (#1004002 - in reply to #1004000)
Subject: Re: Crane baits




Posts: 625


Location: S.W. WI
Agree with above. I would never again use the hooks that come on those baits.
Steve S
Posted 3/31/2022 3:45 PM (#1004068 - in reply to #1004002)
Subject: Re: Crane baits




Posts: 55


What size hooks would you use on 205's & 305's?
chuckski
Posted 4/1/2022 4:44 PM (#1004091 - in reply to #1003989)
Subject: Re: Crane baits




Posts: 1425


Location: Brighton CO.
On the 200's witch I think are 5" I use round bend black nickel 3/0 and only use two hooks. (leave the center hanger bare)
EllusiveGoose
Posted 4/2/2022 6:31 PM (#1004125 - in reply to #1003989)
Subject: Re: Crane baits




Posts: 51


On the 200 series 6”, 7” and 8” i use standard 3/0 hooks and like chuckski I leave off the middle treble. I think I did 2/0 on my 305. In my opinion they are still plenty bouyant. I think the thin stock hooks are so that if you get stuck in timber you can get your lure back easier. But they only dive 2-3’ so I can just reach down and pull the bait out with pliers lol.
I would imagine size 1 trebles would be really close to the stock hooks
chuckski
Posted 4/3/2022 11:57 AM (#1004134 - in reply to #1003989)
Subject: Re: Crane baits




Posts: 1425


Location: Brighton CO.
One of mine has different hooks still 3/0 as not wide gap. Also 3/0 nickel are thin gaged hooks and I use size 5 spit ring rather then a seven. If you want them to hang put on heaver hooks or even a heaver leader. (for example having a swivel on your leader) I make my own leaders so on a small lure no swivel and even shorter leader to reduce weight.
Steve S
Posted 4/3/2022 5:34 PM (#1004140 - in reply to #1004134)
Subject: Re: Crane baits




Posts: 55


the hooks and split rings that come with the baits, what size are they? Are the split rings that come with ok?
Ciscokid82
Posted 4/5/2022 3:06 PM (#1004189 - in reply to #1004091)
Subject: Re: Crane baits





Posts: 333


Location: SE Wisc
chuckski - 4/1/2022 4:44 PM

On the 200's witch I think are 5" I use round bend black nickel 3/0 and only use two hooks. (leave the center hanger bare)


This
Steve S
Posted 4/5/2022 7:57 PM (#1004195 - in reply to #1004189)
Subject: Re: Crane baits




Posts: 55


What I'm trying to get to is replacing all 3 hooks. Will these work VMC Musky-Pike treble hooks 9626tr red 1/0. Lost a big fish with only 2 hooks. Should the split-rings be replaced, what size?
Ogandrews
Posted 4/6/2022 5:37 AM (#1004204 - in reply to #1004195)
Subject: Re: Crane baits




Posts: 224


Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Steve S - 4/5/2022 7:57 PM

What I'm trying to get to is replacing all 3 hooks. Will these work VMC Musky-Pike treble hooks 9626tr red 1/0. Lost a big fish with only 2 hooks. Should the split-rings be replaced, what size?

I run them with 3 hooks. Haven’t tried 2 with cranes but I’ve notice with other baits that it you go from 3 to 2 oversized hooks it effects their action. 206’s get 1/0 gamakatsu short shank magic eyes or a 1/0 mustad 35656 short shank. 207’s 2/0 35656. I think the splitrings I use are the jbo #5’s but I could be wrong on that. Just get a smaller size of a standard musky split ring. With both the 206 and 207 those slightly bigger hooks give it a tiny bit slower rise but it’s still a super fast rising bait.