Crankbait Tip

[Rebbasser]

For whatever reason, some crankbaits work better than others. You can have 2 identical baits and one catches fish and the other does not, and you will never know if it produces unless you throw it. If you are like me-and most here are-we have several identical baits. I love throwing a Bandit 100 in flooded timber so of the colors I use I have several of each. A few years back I started doing this, and I have caught more fish as a result:

Keep a sharpie on hand, and when you catch a fish on one of them mark it as a fish producer. I put a dot on the bill right where it is joined to the body. It is unobtrusive but I can find that productive bait when I want to throw it. Saves throwing an unproductive bait

[bassboogieman]

Good tip, and you can always unload those "unproductive" losers in the FOR SALE forum.

[keithdog]

Thats an awsome and simple tip! Thanks for sharring.

[Bassboss]

Nice! I like it reb, I don't throw a whole lotta crankbaits, but I'll have to do this for the ones I do throw!

[kennethdaysale]

That is especially true with balsa and cedar baits. I have bought identical Rapalas/Bagley/Poes and for some reason there will always be that one plug in the bunch that seems to have its act together. The good thing is that those "special" baits seem to keep their mojo no matter how many times they have to be re-tuned or rehooked or how gnarly their paint job gets. On the other hand the underperformers can't be helped, I usually give them away.

[bassinbob]

I had a Mann's baby one in Tenn shad that worked like a charm. Bought more of the same bait and color but they didn't work like the first one. Unfortunatly I lost it. Now I have a Lucky Craft that is like that but they are to expensive to duplicate. from now on I always will carry my plug knocker with me.