Do You Scratch Your New Crankbaits? 2025
prjavelin reply :
Ive heard of many people doing this. Do you scratch the clear of your crankbaits to make them look worn out??
I just did this with one of my cranks, the one im gonna fish this next wednesday. It does look like it reflects way less light which could be one of the reasons people do this.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
Ive never heard of doing it new to me.
Maybe a company should create a lip out of fluorocarbon resin and have an invisible lip 
powerduster reply :
Mine get pretty worn up looking after the 1st day of use sometimes. Mostly from sand and rocks with a few bite marks here and there. I dont know about the reflecting light thing and if that helps or not, but I know spoons are good for that.
tomustang reply :
I'd rather have it reflect light so it gets noticed more. I also would go for a chrome color crank altogether than a non-reflective one, I get better results with them.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I let the fish do all the paint scratching on my baits 
derekxec reply :
i just fish them out of the box no scratching needed lol they get worn quick enough from catching fish 
gobig reply :
I scratch alot of thing but a crankbait aint one.
Bankbeater reply :
My Dad did it to a Cordell spot one time. I pretty sure he never did it again.
Sam reply :
I change the hooks.
The rocks, stumps and fish will take care of the rest.
A-Jay reply :
"Do You Scratch Your New Crankbaits ?"
Only if they are very Itchy and they ask nicely . . . . . .
Sorry I couldn't help myself
A-Jay
Maico1 reply :
Not lately.... the Pike take care of that for me.
Snakehead Whisperer reply :
I think the idea that worn out looking baits catch more fish is purely a confidence thing. After a person catches lots of fish on a lure they gain confidence in it so they fish in a more relaxed state and present it more naturally, thus catch more fish on it. If folks could get over the mental aspect of this I'm pretty sure they could do just as well (or better) with a shiny new lure fresh out of the box.
So no, I don't scratch my lures.
J Francho reply :
I scratch mine on the fish I catch.
ColdSVT reply :
nah, I let the rocks and timber do it for me
lmbfisherman reply :
On 5/14/2013 at 9:15 PM, Maico1 said:Not lately.... the Pike take care of that for me.
Or they swallow it whole.
00 mod reply :
My dad used to take his pocket knife and scratch the underside of a bill lewis rattle trap chrome/blue and swear it was the only way to get bit. And he his a pretty good stick....
Jeff
RoachDad reply :
I have determined that fishermen feel very smart if they change their lure in some way 
I have never been able to determine if it makes a lick of difference.
When Flukemaster said that he ties his buzz baits to his car antenna, I had to call BS on that one.
Fishermen feel compelled to trim skirts and change hooks and add colors, etc.
Maybe they are right but I just fish 'em like I find 'em.
prjavelin reply :
RoachDad Ive done the buzzbait thing. It definitely makes them a little louder. Also clamping down the rivet allows for them to get noisy. I also damaged one when I went too far with its time in my antenna.
I also change spinnerbait skirts, color them, trim them... I love the customizing part of fishing. I did the crankbait, who know if it catches fish, so far, its a virgin and has only had fish chase it close to the boat but who knows.
J Francho reply :
On 5/14/2013 at 11:15 PM, 00 mod said:My dad used to take his pocket knife and scratch the underside of a bill lewis rattle trap chrome/blue and swear it was the only way to get bit. And he his a pretty good stick....
Jeff
All you have to do is get those baits wet in order to remove the finish, lol.
00 mod reply :
On 5/15/2013 at 3:14 AM, J Francho said:All you have to do is get those baits wet in order to remove the finish, lol.
While this may be true, you should have seen his collection of new beat up rattle traps.....
J Francho reply :
Probably looks like mine - a bunch of white baits that caught a lot of fish. I use Aruku Shads and Xcaliburs now, nad they have the same issue with finish. Can't help it, smashing them into rocks works to well to stop!
00 mod reply :
Say what you want, but the buzzbait trick is the real deal!
Jeff
floridabassman reply :
There is no need to do this. I just fish the crankbait the way it comes
flyfisher reply :
Iaconelli used to put them on his dashboard to fade them now rapala just makes them in a matte finish to start with....but I have never done it. They get beat up all on their own.
tbone1993 reply :
On 5/14/2013 at 10:05 PM, J Francho said:I scratch mine on the fish I catch.
looks like there is more paint worn off from where you hit the rocks rather than caught fish.... jp lol
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
No sir just let the rocks do the work
Skeeter Driver reply :
I auto-age my crank baits too. My Dad taught me to do so. Not sure it does any good to be honest, but just part of the routine. I also replace the hooks that come with them with higher quality ones if needed. - Just my two cents worth.
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