Casting Crank Baits

[Koos Bass]

I battle to cast smaller cranks and small finess plastics

What reels works best with small light cranks. ive tried baitcasters but the lure ends up going about 40degrees off target and when i cast over my head the crank splashes about 3m infront of me, is it better to use a small spinning reel for the smaller cranks or do i just free-up the mag and spool knob with a lot of practice.

Thanks 

 

[Torpedo Jack]

Hi Koos Bass (dig your nick!)

The stiffer bass rods, especially those fitted with baitcasters, are unsuitable for casting very light lures, such as those you mention. Their weight is insufficient to load the rod properly, and you saw the result of that - side casts go WAY off course, and overhead casts land at your feet.

2 options :


1. If you really want to use the baitcaster, make a quicker backcast, so that the momentum of the lure loads the rod better. Messes with your timing, though, and not recommended.

2. (You actually answered you own question) Go for a lighter spinning rod. Cranks work better with a lighter rod. You get a better swimming action, and fewer hook-pulls.

On my ultralight bass setup, I'm using a Berkley Cherry Wood rod (6ft, med action), with a Tica Cetus UL spinning reel, loaded with 6lb fireline. It casts mini Salmo lures (3-5g weights) VERY far, with the added advantage that even a 300g bass feels like a monster!

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[Johanvc]

As Tj said. Go for spinning to cast small lures like cranks and so.

 

[Cpt. Hook]

Koos Bass wrote:

I battle to cast smaller cranks and small finess plastics

What reels works best with small light cranks. ive tried baitcasters but the lure ends up going about 40degrees off target and when i cast over my head the crank splashes about 3m infront of me, is it better to use a small spinning reel for the smaller cranks or do i just free-up the mag and spool knob with a lot of practice.

Thanks 

Get a small spinning outfit with at least a 2500 size reel to reduce line twist, and use 8lb mono if you can at most 10lb. Make sure the rod is soft so the Bass can swallow the lure and you can get the hooks set properly without ripping it away from him

 

[Fishton]

I'm not sure small spinning rigs are suited for cranks, look at my wife's line!

 

[Fishton]

I know you are asking about small cranks here Koos Bass, but when you go a bit bigger - you might need a bit more power.

However, using a ball bearing type power swivel does reduce the twist though.  I use a 9ft medium / heavy Berkley Air with a Daiwa PowerSurf5500 QD spooled with 30lb braid.  This gives me amazing distance, and the power to grind those big cranks to great depths.

It kills your arms, but you can always troll while resting.

 

[Cpt. Hook]

For big cranks sure a bait caster and heavy tackle is the way to go, but you need the spinning outfit for getting any distance on the smaller cranks. Yes I concur a small swivel works great.

Hi Fishton, we still need to go bassing sometime

 

[MAN]

Gee Fishton you dont take nonsence,thats one mother of a reel youre useing there,those 5kg bass must have a looooooong lip when it arrives at the boat!!!!!

I modified my norman speed clips and added a very small berkley power swivel,works like a dream and its small! 

 

[tauruck]

Koos, maybe you need to adjust the drag on your baitcaster ie when you set it up for casting smaller cranks (the speed the lure falls at when you release the button). Just my 2c.