|
 Cranking
for bass with the River2Sea jointed V-Crank
(continued)
 Retrieving:
Like many jointed lures
the V-Crank has great action when retrieved. The lure produces wobbling
movements that you won’t find on standard crankbaits, and as it moves along in
the water it’ll emit sound from its internal rattling chamber and metal plates
between the jointed sections. Out of two lures that we tried, one of them
required tuning before it ran straight. After a quick but slight bending of the
eyelet where the split ring attaches to the lure, the V-Crank ran like a champ
reaching the specified depths using both 10 and 12 pound test monofilament line.
What we also found was that the River2Sea V-Crank performs best at slow to
medium speeds, producing the best action and wobble. When bumping structure or
levee walls as we did in our tests, at times you can put a pause in the retrieve
right after knocking on rocks. This will allow the crankbait to slowly float up
sometimes driving fish crazy and triggering fearless strikes.
When retrieved the lure wobbles
differently than a one-piece crankbait. The two sections are connected via
sturdy hardware
Durability: Anglers
are always wary of the durability when it comes to jointed lures because the two
halves slam into each other when retrieved. This is one area where the V-Crank
has an advantage over other jointed crankbaits. The River2Sea V-Crank has a
metal plate on each body section that functions as a clicker but it also
protects the two sections from damage through constant clashes. We trolled this
crankbait for our tests to see how durable it is. The only thing we noticed was
that because the joining hardware isn’t tight in tolerance, it’ll allow the
metal from the head portion to hit a slight edge of the metal on the opposite
section that could damage a tiny portion of the body. But after many trolls and
usage we don’t see that as being a long term issue. Now how well do the joint,
finish, and eyes hold up? Exceptionally well. No damage was experienced after
days of fishing around the Delta levee walls, including an encounter with downed
tree where we bent the hook getting the lure back yet the joints never gave way.
The Delta Craw
is an effective pattern for the California Delta waters. Also notice the details
and nice finish on the V-Crank
Effectiveness:
Like the Jackall Aragon jointed crankbait that we reviewed last year, we came to
the same conclusion with the River2Sea V-Crank. The V-Crank is an effective
crankbait but we couldn’t see a dramatic advantage over traditional crankbaits
with similar actions. The V-Crank like other crankbaits has an interior rattle
system, but the River2Sea lure has additional action in movement that will
appear different to the fish underwater and emits sounds from the clacking
joints that in certain situations might give the V-Crank an edge over others.
Crank this lure with either a slow
or medium retrieve to produce good sized bass
Ratings:
|
River2Sea
USA V-Crank Ratings
(?/10) |
| Construction/Quality |
Top quality and solid
construction, the metal plates between the two sections give it a higher
degree of durability |
9 |
| Performance |
The crankbait is effective
and will catch bass, swims down to its depths, but some of the lures might
require tuning for it to run straight |
8 |
| Price |
You get the quality of
imported lures with a less expensive price tag |
8 |
| Features |
A complete package here
featuring quality layers of paint, sharp Daiichi hooks, and a jointed body
with metal plates |
8.5 |
| Design
(Ergonomics) |
This lure is designed
better than many high-end and imported crankbaits having greater details on
the body and more |
8 |
| Application |
This is a good lure for
bass fishing in and around structure, reaching a depth between 5 to 7 feet
down |
8 |
|
Total Score |
8.25 |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus |
| J
Good overall
durability |
L
Some requires
tuning to run straight |
| J
Jointed
section produces a different movement and sound |
|
| J
Excellent
finish |
|
| J
Sharp hooks |
|
| J
Import
quality with domestic pricing |
|
Conclusion:
Crankbaits, we all use
them and they are great at producing fish all year long. There must be hundreds
of these lures out there today but differences in design makes some better than
others. The River2Sea USA V-Crank, a double jointed crankbait, comes with neat
features that make it stand out from the standard cranks. The V-Crank is joined
via reliable hardware that’ll keep the two sections together even when pulled
hard during a snag. The detail on this River2Sea crankbait is exceptional and
include lifelike patterns molded into the lure’s body. Not only does this
crankbait come in two sections but it features metal plates between both
portions that when retrieved, will clash against each other to emit a unique
sound, and at the same time protect the lure from damage. It’s great that
River2Sea USA can bring us products like the V-Crank that sport import lure
detailing and features but at domestic pricing so anglers of all level have the
opportunity to put these fine products to use.
Buy here: River2Sea V-Crank crankbait
$ 11.99
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