Crankbait Review
Luhr Jensen Product Review

Crankbaits choices are almost endless. Like spinnerbaits, it gets confusing when trying to place the right lure at the end of your line. Besides color as a choice, factors like depth, cover, and speed of retrieve make the choices even muddier. Luhr Jensen line of crankbaits bring a dominant quality to individual baits to make the decision easier.

If your need is for speed, the Luhr Jensen Speed Trap™ is a noteworthy lure. The retrieve is a simple fast crank back to the boat. Although other techniques work for the Speed Trap™, a cast and wind method covers plenty of water, works in various types of cover, and is easy to employ. As a search bait in the late spring to early fall, the Speed Trap runs true on high or medium speed reels. The lure handles standing timber, stumps, and other cover while drawing strikes. Short or long casts, a steady swim of the lure is straightforward. Let the lure do the work.
Depth is another confusing term for the bass angler. Luhr Jensen Radar™ line of baits covers depths of ten to thirteen feet. This is a great depth for bass. Many anglers beat the bank and leave the deeper fish alone. The Radar™ bait targets midrange structure quickly, searching out the fish that other anglers overlook. This bait is great for underwater points and drop-offs. With two models to choose from (10 and 13), the angler’s options for searching deeper water are greater.

When the angler finds cover added to the equation, the fishing improves but so does the difficulty of running a crankbait in the cover. Luhr Jensen’s Brush Baby™ is ready to tackle the treetops, stumps, or other cover of the bass’ home. Often the place to fish is where other anglers fear to throw. Many anglers do not like the aggravation of hang-ups, grass, or carefully working a lure through heavy cover. The Brush Baby™ is designed for cover. With some practice and patience, an angler learns to overcome the fear of cover and losing fish or baits. Sure, you may lose a few fish or baits, but the rewards are great after the technique is mastered.

Whether you choose a crankbait based on speed of retrieve, depth, or fishing cover, Luhr Jensen offers a great line of choices. The lure patterns ranges from crawfish to shad for match-the-hatch minded anglers. Color choices are abundant from shiny for clear water to chartreuse for muddier water. Luhr Jensen listens to the pro team staff, too. For tournament tested crankbaits, give Luhr Jensen a call. (800-535-1711 or www.luhrjensen.com).

About the author: Jeff Bruhl is a member of the Louisiana Outdoors Writer Association, pro angler, and a pharmacist. His website, www.marshbass.com, covers freshwater fishing across Louisiana and the gulf coast. Each Saturday morning between 5-7 am CST, a bass fishing report can be heard on the Outdoors with Don Dubuc Radio Show (www.dontheoutdoorsguy.com) on 870 AM from the New Orleans station. Jeff has made numerous television and radio appearances on shows like Paradise Louisiana, The Big Fish, and ABC26.com. From tips on youtube.com to weekly reports on his website, his articles and reports provide tips and tactics for bass anglers in the sportsman paradise. Jeff’s sponsors include Abu Garcia, Xpoint hooks, Bud Light, Louisiana Fish Fry Products, Power Pole, Stanley Jigs and Spinnerbaits, Skeeter, Dockside Marine, Rat-L-Trap, and Berkley. For more information about fishing in Louisiana, drop Jeff an email at jeff@marshbass.com.