Crankbaits are a versatile tool for imitating various types of baitfish and triggering reaction strikes from both feeding and lethargic fish.
From cold water species such as trout and salmon, to warm water fish like bass, pike, walleye, perch and panfish, a properly selected crankbait can often be one of the most important lures in an angler’s tackle box.
The basic bobber rig may be the most widely used rig in all of fishing for targeting all types of fish.
The Three Way Rig and Stream Rig are most commonly drifted or trolled in river or current situations to keep the bait a set distance off the bottom.
The primary difference between the two setups is that the Stream Rig is more of a finesse setup than the Three Way Rig and it is typically used with lighter line, smaller hooks and less weight.
A rig commonly utilized by bass anglers, the Texas Rig is known for its ability to remain “weedless” and be retrieved through all types of cover such as submerged vegetation, rocks and wood without “hanging up.”
Suggested Seasonal Use: Year-round, open water
A time-honored fishing setup, the split-shot rig is an extremely versatile rig for catching everything from trout and bass to walleyes, panfish and even catfish.
While fishing a split-shot rig in deeper water will require greater patience, this is a proven rig that is worth trying during your next fishing adventure.
Similar in concept to the Carolina-rig, the sliding sinker rig, or lindy rig, is one of the most popular and adaptable setups for live bait fishing.
The drop-shot rig has become increasingly popular in recent years as an effective tactic for targeting a variety of species of fish at any time of the year.
While drop-shot rigs are generally fished around bottom structure, they can also be “counted down” to catch suspended fish in the middle of the water column.
Crankbaits are a multi-species lure and are a versatile tool for imitating various types of baitfish, triggering reaction strikes from both feeding and lethargic fish.
Suggested Seasonal Use: Year-round, open water
Similar in concept to a split-shot rig in that this setup features a weight or multiple weights well ahead of a baited hook, a Carolina rig has become known as a great tool for efficiently covering various types of bottom structure.
Suggested Seasonal Use: Year-round, open water
