Best crank baits for reds or trout?
I seem to do ok with a lucky craft 78sp for trout. I don’t have a go to for reds.
Suggestions?
I predominantly fish relatively shallow so my “go to” crankbait is a Strike King square bill. I’ll throw the KVD 1.5 (depths of 3-5 feet) and the KVD 1.5S (depths of 1-3 feet). If I fish a little deeper, I’ll throw the KVD 2.5 because it runs 5-7 feet deep but it is a slightly larger profile. My “go to” color is Natural Shad. I do switch out the stock treble hooks for ones that are more stout. The stock hooks hadn’t failed me, the few times I used them before switching, but it gives me peace of mind knowing I have the gear that’ll land a big red if I hook up with one. I caught a 30" red on a 1.5S last week. We were fishing around some pretty gnarly cover so I had to put some heat on it to keep the fish from running into the cover and breaking me off and the replacement hooks held up great. I know this is a “freshwater” bait and it has a “freshwater” baitfish color but the fish don’t seem to care so I wouldn’t concern myself with that.
I haven’t done it yet but it is a goal of mine to head out to the jetties and throw the big Strike King KVD 8.0 square bill for bull reds. If they’ll eat a big menhaden, they’ll eat that crankbait. At least that’s what I’m telling myself until I’m proven wrong.
God bless the “ignore” function.
^^^^^^ I’ll vouch for this. Not because he’s my boy, but the past few trips out, Stick has caught a decent amount of reds on the Strike King crankbaits.
Anything you use for largemouth will work. Try a Rattletrap.
Mirrodine is deadly.
http://www.shopmirrolure.com/mirrodine/mirrodine-17mr-808-suspending-twitchbait/17mr-808-p-158.html
Not a crankbait but most definitely a “must have” twitch bait if you throw lures in the salt.
God bless the “ignore” function.
Hey spot on ,that is not a crank bait !! You noob. Ha Ha just kidding. You will learn to be more technically correct on this site.By the way, welcome from a fellow noob.Back on Topic,we always used river runts for trout and Cisco kid for spotail until they came out with plastic like Manns stingray grub .Live shrimp is the best,but I also know they’re not always around.
Thanks guys! I am a fan of Strike King products I am gonna give it a go. I have not thrown the mirro lures all that much but I do know some guys that swear by them. I have had most of my luck with drum roller/redfish magic spinner paddle tail baits. I would really like to rip a crank bait in some shallow water grass/structure area and get after some slot to over slot reds.
Seapro- SV1900
Can’t catch’em on the couch
Real men bring home game! -Ms. Kay Robertson
Get’em!
Like I said, the few times I threw SK crankbaits with stock hooks, they didn’t fail but I felt a lot better when I switched to these… http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_EWG_Treble_Short_Shank_2X_Magic_Eye_6pk/descpage-GETX.html
They’re sticky sharp and 2X strong.
One word of caution though; check your line pretty regularly. Square bills are great at deflecting off of cover but the difference between rocks and logs in freshwater and rocks and logs in saltwater are the barnacles and oysters. I haven’t used straight braid yet but probably could get away with it especially if you have some color in the water. Otherwise, use a good fluorocarbon. For this technique in the salt, I prefer 17-20 pound test Sunline FC Sniper. It’s done well for me in some pretty brutal thick cover. I also prefer baitcasting gear for this technique but you could use spinning gear if you prefer.
Also, get you some Mirrolures. Their suspending twitck baits are KILLER in colder water and when the fish are finicky and their topwater baits are proven producers. If you’re a fan of Strike King, get you some KVD Splash poppers (again, I’d change the stock hooks for ones a little heavier for the saltwater critters) and some Sexy Dawg Jr’s. 
Good luck. Let us know how you do.
God bless the “ignore” function.
What Pitcher said…I caught a 24" flounder on a rattle trap