Arguably, the most important feature of any crankbait is it's action. This action, once tuned, is what entices the fish to take a good look at it and hopefully, once satisfied that this critter is on the menu, whack it.

Now that this principle has been established, the next most important feature on a crankbait would have to be it's colour. As mentioned in the previous paragraph - "entices the fish to take a good look at it", this opportunity for the fish to make up it's mind whether or not to strike at a potential prey item more than any other time, depends on it's appearance which includes colour. If your crankbait has the 'match the hatch' pattern on it, chances are good that when you reel it in there will be a four pound smallie or walleye attached at the hook end.

So what makes these 'cranks' so attractive to predators? Paint jobs and holographic applications, to be sure. Lure manufacturers employ the services of superior craftsman and painters when it comes to their crankbait products. The sportfishing product market is highly competitive one and demands that extra touch to set them apart from competitors and to get themselves noticed on the store shelves. Are some baits made to catch fishermen more than fish? I'd have to say yes to that one. Been there done that. The shelf life of those products are short, once the flaw (inability to catch fish) is discovered. This is one area in which word of mouth will kill a product quickly. Time tested, tournament tough and fish-ability are qualities all legitimate manufacturers strive for.

One particular company that has found a home for it's crankbaits in your tackle bag, is Worden's Lures Yakima Bait Company. They have been around since 1932 and are responsible for your grandfather and father bringing home fish for supper. Their newest crankbait product the 'TimberTiger', boasts of that 'hang-on-the-wall-kind-of-finish' look to it, but use it you must. Their crawfish and forage-fish patterns are exquisite. Once within eye sight, that bass or walleye that has been enticed to take a closer look because of it's great action, has no choice but to hit it. Included in the design of this bait are 'TimberGuards' side fins that control the action and reduces snag-ups - of great importance to the angler using a $8 plus bait. The TimberTiger comes in eight configurations from extreme shallow presentations (DC-1 3000) to the 'rake them off the bottom' (DC-16 3016\3016LR) line. You'll find a colour and pattern for any situation - clear water or coffee-like.

Other companies that produces baits with super high quality finishes are: Canadian Wiggler with it's highly reflective 'sparkle plus series'; Poe's Super Cedar with it's offering of the RC series and Dead Eye series with over 100 pattern finishes; the Berkley Frenzy line of cranks, the Pro Rattl'r and Pro Diver along with the Abu Garcia Tormentor are new offerings for 2003.

Remember, when searching for that productive crank with fish-ability, take the time to look it over completely from design to colour, rattle or not and configuration - tight or wide wobble. Find the one that will catch fish, not the one that catches you.

Fish on!

Tom Morrison,
Sportfishing Education & Promotion
home office phone: 1-519-776-4261
home office fax: 1-519-776-9715
E-mail: mtm2002ca@yahoo.com mt.morrison@sympatico.ca
Essex County Outdoors website: Tom Morrison

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