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Posts: 375
| after using "bigger" baits exclusively for quite a while now i want to give some small baits a shot and not having bought any bass sized cranks for many years i have no idea what some of the "better" ones are that are out there today. i am looking to get some suggestions on brands / models / sizes of smaller fat bodied type cranks that folks are liking and what type / size of hooks are you upgrading to on them to keep them "running ok"?
thanks... |
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Posts: 512
Location: Appleton | I like using 5" scuba, 6" twitch from Big Game. Custom X has a 5" mini X that is a cool little bait. Pearson plugs has a neat 4" shad that's hard to find but has a nice thump. You can also go with 4" newmans or 5" tuff shads. There are so many available options in small cranks and you can never own enough  I also got a new troller from Smuttly Dog I'm looking forward to trying. |
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Posts: 323
| other then what is mentioned above
5.5" straight or jointed Wiley Musky Killers
Loke
Believers
Pearson Plugs 5" or 6" Shads or 6" Minnow
Muskie Train Diesel,MX,FX or Loco Shads
Baker Baits
BM Shads
Hooker Seducer and G&M Shads
FishAll Talonz Slasher,Rippin Shad or Little Claw
Hoosier HandMade 7"
SS Shads |
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Posts: 1716
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | I have a pink 4" pearson that i will sell for $10 if you are interested. That price includes shipping. |
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| In no particular order: 5.5" Wiley; 6 inch Jake with size 1 treble hooks; 6 inch Believer; and 6 inch Depthraider. Imaganinative, huh? |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | I haven't used these yet but Xtreme Musky Lures has a 4" & 6" shad style bait. There's a video of the 4" being trolled and that thing walks like crazy and the rod tip really thumps. Looking forward to trying these out this year.
Lots of good baits mentioned already |
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | Me & my buddy both bought some Smoker SS Shads last year did very good with them. We plan on adding a few more to our boxes.
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Posts: 431
| Contact Mike Mordas at Musky Train. He makes some of the best smaller crankbaits out there. |
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Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | I will agree that all of the baits mentioned so far get some time in the water...but, if you are looking at throwing/trolling much smaller bass style baits this is what I bring along:
Yozuri crystal minnow
Rapala DT 16
Storm Deep Thunder sticks
Rapala DT 1
Rapala Husky jerk 14
Storm Wiggle Wart (rattles)
Rapala x-rap 12 and 14
Bill Lewis rattle trap 3/4oz and 1oz
I switch most of the hooks to gammukatsu and up size the split rings on some of these baits if trolling and use a lighter drag setting both casting and trolling. Haven't had any problems keeping fish pinned(knock on wood!). I also, have good luck with Super Shad Raps, Tuff Shads and Krushers if you want something a bit bigger. Hope this helps...
Matt
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Posts: 512
Location: Appleton | I'm glad MLF mentioned Baker baits cause they deserve some run time as well |
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Posts: 3
| Flicker Shad 2" or 2.5 " Firetiger or Hollywood color are pretty good. |
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Posts: 553
Location: 15 miles east of Lake Kinkaid | Flicker shad, really? They weigh like 1/4oz and are small for a bass crankbait. IMO that is overkill on downsizing. |
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Posts: 709
Location: sun prairie,wi | 5" tyrant czar... |
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Posts: 10
| Team Rhino - 2/19/2012 5:25 PM
I'm glad MLF mentioned Baker baits cause they deserve some run time as well
I will second baker baits, Zach is incredibly talented and creates amazing baits |
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Posts: 944
| If you are looking for a small fat bodied crank with great action the MuskieTrain Diesel is exactly what you are looking for.
Zach Baker makes a great bait also as others have said.
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com |
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Posts: 349
| MuskyMATT7 - 4/19/2012 1:18 PM
Flicker shad, really? They weigh like 1/4oz and are small for a bass crankbait. IMO that is overkill on downsizing.
+1
Broke three in one day last summer fishing pike. The back hook pulled right out of them. Good baits (outfished shadraps 3:1 that day) but definitely not made to handle big fish. |
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Location: Des Moines IA | Joel Michels introduced me to the Rapala DT series. They are great because they are designed to dive to a specific depth and not beyond. When I fished Pewaukee a lot, they were one of my go to baits.
http://www.rapala.com/DT/DT,default,pd.html |
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Posts: 332
Location: Michigan | The 6" surface twitch from Big Game Tackle is killer. |
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Posts: 2325
Location: Chisholm, MN | jointed shallow raider |
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Posts: 2269
Location: SE, WI. | If Jim Bagley was still making the db3mag or the db4 I would say try those cranks. You can still find a few old bagleys, but the ones made today are not built to track , or hold up to the riggers of muskies. Today; the best small deep diving crank is the Diesel...IMO Also; Mike King makes a tough cookie in the rippin shads with excellent paint jobs!!!  |
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| Bagley DB06. You can still find them on eBay. |
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Posts: 288
Location: Montreal, Que. Canada | Here is a pic of I believe are the 6" Smuttly dog crankbaits !!
(378729_292737830757071_292634490767405_964827_136381558_n.jpg)
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 378729_292737830757071_292634490767405_964827_136381558_n.jpg (109KB - 301 downloads)
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Posts: 981
| baker baits! |
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Posts: 558
| Salmo fasto with diving lip. Caught some nice muskys on them.
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| they make fatsos with diving lips....dang...those things would shimmy lol
hmm might have to get me one
thanks man |
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Posts: 558
| You can rely on salmo. Roach pattern is the BOMB!!! |
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Posts: 41
| It has been mentioned four times in this thread already, but Baker gets my vote. They have become my goto set of lures for trolling.
--Joe |
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Posts: 189
Location: Barrington, Il | The smaller Slammers are great. Bill made some 4" just for the Pewaukee guys. Look at Smokey's. |
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Location: SE Wisconsin | Slammer baits came out with a new small fatbelly crank similar to the deisel, only slightly narrower. Wide wobble to it, too. DT16's, the new 4" Slammers and the Diesel MuskyTrains are great for casting or trolling. |
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Posts: 809
| If you want a nice little crankbait for muskies try one of Jerry Myer's "Gill Cranks." They're about 5" long and have a great thump. Check him out on Facebook by looking up "Myers Musky Lures" and check out his stuff, really nice baits. |
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Posts: 154
Location: Appleton, WI | One of my all time favorites that has not been mentioned is the lil Ernie. |
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Posts: 921
Location: Apollo, PA | BAKERS, ARE VERY NICE INDEED |
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Posts: 1716
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Esox chaser - 5/30/2012 1:42 PM
One of my all time favorites that has not been mentioned is the lil Ernie.
That is probably because 4 of the 5 I have purchased within the past 2 years have all had holes in them DIRECT FROM THE FACTORY. Where the baits are painted for the "anus" there is a hole in the baits. |
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