Introduction:It is
officially time to unveil our plans for 2009, join us as we usher in “The Year
of the Crank.” Crankbaits have long been a staple for bass anglers and this year
we are seeing a massive resurgence in the category from both manufacturers and
consumers. It’s time to tie one on, toss it out, and crank it up!
To view the video in high
quality click on the video and go to You Tube and click on
"watch in high quality"
Just like Swimbaits are Cal’s
confidence baits crankbaits are mine. I absolutely love them, and over the years
have bounced back and forth between different brands but what remains consistent
is that I spend more time fishing cranks than any other class of lure. When it
comes to looking for fish no other bait has better shown me how fish are reacting
or where they are holding.
Ms. Casey helps usher in the Year
of the Crank! Are you ready to
"Tie one on, toss it out, and CRANK it UP!"
Though I have been fishing
crankbaits for years my catch rates really shot up a few years ago
when I began to mix up the tackle I was using to match the particular technique.
It was Cal that actually put me on a new rod specifically designed for the
application when I discovered that I could really hone my crankbait fishing
style to not only increase my catch rate but extend the range of applications
where cranks would be effective.
There has been renewed interest in
crankbaits and the all tackle that surrounds these classic baits
Since that day on Clear Lake
I’ve invested in a lot of new crankbaits for different depths, tried countless
new lines to determine which offers the best blend of toughness, shock
resistance and sensitivity, and completely changed what type of rods I prefer to
use for the technique.
...no crankbait is safe, if it
resembles a crank its fair game
To our delight this past
ICAST we observed an influx of new crankbaits, slow cranking reels, and
application specific cranking rods from a wide range of manufacturers. It didn’t
matter if the company was one of the Tier 1 reel brands or a small custom rod
shop, everyone seemed to have cranking on their mind. While crankbaits have
taken a backseat to the big baits in recent seasons there is no doubt that there
is room to innovate and still improve these proven lures.
We will take a look at the new
crop of reels specifically created for power cranking
Advances in paint processes
and finishes have made crankbaits more realistic than ever before, and computer
aided design has allowed manufacturers to get really creative with their
hydrodynamic designs. New baits means new ways to fish and professional anglers
have developed new techniques to better fish these new baits. Many of these same
professionals also are consulting pro-staff for rod manufacturers who in turn have
developed tailored actions to meet the demands of these fresh lures and techniques.
Let the crankbait rod wars begin!
Get ready for a slew of new crankbait rod reviews that will encompass everything
from value rods to ultra premium sticks
So this coming year get ready for a slew of reviews that delve into the category
like we have never before. Of course we won’t forgo our current scheduled review
lineup, but if you’re a crankbait fiend like me then buckle up get ready a wild
ride consisting of new-fangled crankbait reviews, new cranking reel reviews and
shootouts, and following in the footsteps of our swimbait rod wars…. let the
crankbait rod wars begin!
