Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Best Crankbait / Jerkbait Colors for Smallmouth
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QueticoMike |
BigDadE: "I would second this question with the target species being Walleye Gold has worked the best for me for walleyes while trolling. Rapala Husky Jerk and original jointed lures have produced. Don’t use a steel leader. If you need to use a leader, try a titanium leader. They might be more expensive, but they are stronger, thinner in diameter and don’t kink. They practically last forever unless you get snagged. |
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bombinbrian |
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bbarker189 |
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scottiebaldwin |
jackpotjohnny48: "Hi guys, I’ve always had the best luck with the “match the hatch” theory. Staying with more natural colors on clear lakes. Having said that, it really is a confidence thing. If you are confident with a certain color, it tends to enhance your production. There is an excellent book called “Knowing Bass” by Keith Jones that is a scientific breakdown of all of the bass senses and how it all connects. I believe it is out of print but it’s worth finding it if you can. Good luck out on the water! |
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shock |
whenever i find a rock pile under 25' i'll cast this out and crank away ! |
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WIMike |
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jackpotjohnny48 |
The main reason I was asking was that I had a chance to buy a group of 16 old Heddon clatter tads (a discontinued lure), and most of the colors in the batch tended to be on the brighter side (more toward the firetiger end of the spectrum). I remember my first ever trip to Canada, on Eagle Lake in 1989. My dad and I spent quite a bit of time trolling the clatter tads on that particular trip, and caught quite a few walleyes, pike, and smallmouth while doing so. The problem was that we had so many pike bite us off, that we lost most of our clatter tads on that trip. Until a couple weeks ago, I only had 3 or 4 left, so I was hesitant to use them, for fear of losing them. So I ended up pulling the trigger on the purchase, despite the fact that I normally use somewhat more traditional "clear water" patterns (silver / blue, silver black, purple, pearl white) when fishing oligotrophic lakes. Anyway, the clatter tads arrived in the mail yesterday, and now I know I have enough on hand so that I afford to lose a couple to bite offs, and therefore can use these again. I think they make a nice alternative to the traditional shad rap, glass shad rap, etc. And I think the rattles have a tendency to call the smallies in from a distance. Looking forward to getting these lures out on the water, provided the border opens up this summer. |
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GutRooster |
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QueticoMike |
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QueticoMike |
bombinbrian: "This year, I'm basing my entire tackle box on what QueticoMike says. Tht way if I don't catch anything its his fault, not mine. He's given me some really good advice, or at least I hope so." Have you read my articles? |
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jackpotjohnny48 |
I have a question regarding your favorite smallmouth crankbait and jerkbait colors. I do most of my smallmouth fishing in gin clear, oligotrophic lakes which also contain lake trout. So I have typically used crankbaits and jerkbaits in more natural color schemes, such as... Black / Silver Blue Silver Purpledescent Pearl White However, I recently watched a Lindner's Angling Edge video (see attached) in which they indicate that even in clear water, it seems as if the Lindners are using hotter colors such as... Hot Head Hot Pink Clown. Firetiger Chartreuse Orange etc. I'm wondering if I'm missing out by not expanding into some of the more gaudy color schemes for smallmouth. So just curious. Do any of you guys use some of the brighter / more gaudy color patterns (firetiger, chartreuse, orange, etc) for smallmouth, even in clear water? If so, how have your results been? Thanks in advance for any info you can provide. "Jackpot" John Schroeder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJngjWoSDXA |
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GickFirk22 |
Hothead has been a great xrap color for me in the BWCA. But the water is more tannic there. Pearl colors have also worked great for both BWCA and clear water lakes for me. I like a Pearl with an orange belly. Hope that helps answer your question a little bit. |
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HistoryDoc |
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QueticoMike |
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thlipsis29 |
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BigDadE |
In the past I have almost exclusively trolled with perch colored shad raps. What are peoples go to colors for walleye? For smallmouth I typically fish soft plastics and I’ve had the best luck with natural colors. I would also echo the crawfish pattern shad rap. I lost several to northerners last year...might try a Fluocarbon leader or a steel later this year. Sorry , I don’t mean to hijack your thread ?? |
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Savage Voyageur |
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bombinbrian |
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