Finesse Cranks 2024

Robert Riley reply :

What're your go to finesse cranks? I just bought some shad raps and glass raps today at F&S.

bigturtle reply :

I like my rebel bluegills and lucky craft bevy shad

Yeajray231 reply :

You must have got the size 5 if you're considering the shad rap a finesse crank ? Good choice nonetheless.

Mumbly reply :

Guess it would depend on what you consider finesse cranks. If we are talking 1/8oz, @Bluebasser86told me about these H20 cranks at Academy. I have fished, with great success, the squarebills but haven't fished the deeper version. Both are 1/8oz.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-ultralight-2-crankbait#repChildCatid=581169

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-ultralight-crankbait#repChildCatid=22488

Bluebasser86 reply :

Depends on your definition I suppose. The H2O baits are great baits for the money. I like the 1.0 Strike King, the 0.5 Lucky Crafts, Duo Realis shad 62DR or 59MR, and the #5 Shad Rap.

smalljaw67 reply :

It depends on the crank, weight is a big part as well as the way it is fished. My favorites would have to be the Bagley Honey B, Rapala DT Flat 3 and more recently the Yo-Zuri 3DS Flat Crank.

Advantage reply :

On 3/13/2017 at 6:15 PM, smalljaw67 said:

It depends on the crank, weight is a big part as well as the way it is fished. My favorites would have to be the Bagley Honey B, Rapala DT Flat 3 and more recently the Yo-Zuri 3DS Flat Crank.

To me the Bandits (100, 200, 300) are finesse cranks...but I also catch a ton of fish on them, including big ones! Have been a fan of Bandits since I started throwing them over 15 yrs ago.

Crestliner2008 reply :

Helin Flatfish.

Swbass15 reply :

Luck-e-strike freak 1. That lil guy gets down on 8lb test, best colors for me have been tasty shad, and brown craw. Bills can be weak, just don't fire them into the rocks they usually last.

Spankey reply :

I'm a Rapals freak. And just a thought, because I'm not comfortable spending your money. Go out and buy a couple of jointed Shad Raps. I find having the change up and slightly different action to get bites. To me finesse is more of a presentation. Never thought of my Rapalas as a finesse bait but you could be onto something. Good fishing.

QUAKEnSHAKE reply :

rebel teeny r

Rapala UL crank

Rapala Mini Fat Rap

Strike King Bitsy minnow

BPS Mini Crank

Yeajray231 reply :

@Spankey I agree.. they even make shallow running ones. And they suspend. I wish I could find another one like the one pictured to the right. Fire perch.

Spankey reply :

The jointed SRs are hard to come by. At least for me. They are easy enough to order. Lures, tackle, rods, reels around my area suck and I don't live in the backwoods. Pretty suburban. Just can never find what I want. But no BS that is how I use a jointed. Have one tied on and throw it as a change up.

WIGuide reply :

One I'd consider finesse is a Spro Little John

greentrout reply :

Rebel Craw >

bowhunter63 reply :

On 3/14/2017 at 4:08 AM, greentrout said:

Rebel Craw >

2nd that

Robert Riley reply :

I'll go ahead and clarify what I may mean by finesse cranks. Something smaller and with a tighter wobble (probably). Like a Shad rap or perhaps the little john md. Something you would use in colder water or on pressured waters.

Outdoor Zack reply :

Rebel bluegill
Bomber square A
Rebel teeny wee R
Creme 'pond favorites' UL jerkbait
Rebel crawfish

Spankey reply :

It appears that the majority feel ultra lite crankbaits are assumed to be finesse crankbaits. This interpretation might be right.

I fish a lot of crankbaits but the only presentation I feel in my fishing that may be on the finesse side might be fishing a Rapala countdown or a suspending crank trying to entice strikes in a zone. I relate finesse more to worm fishing and fishing it slow like a split shot or drop shot rig.

Finesse I guess is ones view to how they fish. And what they fish.

I really like your thread, something to think about, good fishing.

fishballer06 reply :

I'm not quite sure the actual definition of a finesse crankbait, but my favorite smaller cranks are:

Rapala Shad Rap

Mann's Baby 1-

Rapala DT4

Bill Lewis 1/4oz. Rat-L-Trap

scaleface reply :

I have an older Bagley honey B that caught lots of bass . The paint is off half of it so I bought a new one . The new one doesnt have the same action . Its in the junk box .

Jagg reply :

Norman Deep Tiny N and Deep Baby N.

Spankey reply :

Just a thought if you fish an ultra lite crank the same speed, same cadence, on the same structure or area you'd fish a DT 6/10 or SK 4/5 what makes it a finesse.

I would think a topwater plug like a skitter pop or even a Rappy F-9 floater twitched in a n eddy pool might be more of a finesse.

*NOTE* I like this thread, I'm not starting a war or trying to insult anyone. Just throwing some thought out there. Thanks for posting this.

Fishes in trees reply :

Finesse cranks are a category of bait that I collect, but rarely fish. I consider a finesse crank anything at 3/16 or less - maybe some quarter ounce ones. Anyway, if I see anything like that in any bargain bin I come across I will buy it. I have a number of Cordell CC Shads ( which some guys tell me are great trolling baits ) Years ago I came across a number of Rebel Mystic Minnows. Pretty lures, but they are a pain to cast even on crappie gear. (Those same guys tell me those baits are good trolling lures also )

I don't float fish or wade fish enough to really get into this style of bait, except for collecting purposes.

Silas reply :

Best finesse crank for me is the MEGABASS GRIFFON. Costly from Japan but worth it.

PEANUT custom crank.

LC .5

love to throw them!!

Cranks4fun reply :

I am about 45 days late on this topic, but "finesse" cranks or ultralight cranks are a favorite of mine unless I am fishing exclusively for BIG LM bass. Those H2O Xpress (Academy brand) ultralight cranks (box item description "crul" and "cruld") are great for LM bass, SM bass, white bass, spawning crappie, and large bluegill. White bass and smallies really love them when they are feeding actively. Those rebel teeny R's are pretty good too for spawning crappie and schoolie bass. The small #5 Shad Raps can be real productive too, but I usually do much better when I'm trolling with them as opposed to casting and I am not really sure why. The teeny rebel craw (smallest size) can be killer too, especially in clear water like creeks and streams. I have even had good trout fishing days with those Rebel craws but the hooks bend out very easily and larger hooks seem to change the action. The SK Bitsy minnow is great for bluegills and occasionally crappie. And then there is the one ultralight crank that has been a BIG fish as well as a numbers bait in years past: The Norman deep Tiny N. I caught 16 smallies in about an hour on one last year before my line broke.

I have Shimano, Daiwa, and Quantum baitcast reels but I cannot cast any of these reels well with true UL cranks. I use spinning gear with 4-10 test line (based on conditions). Sometimes the light-line battles are unbelievable. I LOVE fishing these little cranks. If you and a buddy are having a bass numbers contest, using a tiny crank with two sticky trebles and just the right speed or cadence can mean game over - unless your buddy also keeps a stash of these skunk killers! I have a few UL cranks in every tackle box but I have one box dedicated to UL fishing (shown below).

Dorado reply :

On 5/2/2017 at 12:01 PM, Cranks4fun said:

I am about 45 days late on this topic, but "finesse" cranks or ultralight cranks are a favorite of mine unless I am fishing exclusively for BIG LM bass. Those H2O Xpress (Academy brand) ultralight cranks (box item description "crul" and "cruld") are great for LM bass, SM bass, white bass, spawning crappie, and large bluegill. White bass and smallies really love them when they are feeding actively. Those rebel teeny R's are pretty good too for spawning crappie and schoolie bass. The small #5 Shad Raps can be real productive too, but I usually do much better when I'm trolling with them as opposed to casting and I am not really sure why. The teeny rebel craw (smallest size) can be killer too, especially in clear water like creeks and streams. I have even had good trout fishing days with those Rebel craws but the hooks bend out very easily and larger hooks seem to change the action. The SK Bitsy minnow is great for bluegills and occasionally crappie. And then there is the one ultralight crank that has been a BIG fish as well as a numbers bait in years past: The Norman deep Tiny N. I caught 16 smallies in about an hour on one last year before my line broke.

I have Shimano, Daiwa, and Quantum baitcast reels but I cannot cast any of these reels well with true UL cranks. I use spinning gear with 4-10 test line (based on conditions). Sometimes the light-line battles are unbelievable. I LOVE fishing these little cranks. If you and a buddy are having a bass numbers contest, using a tiny crank with two sticky trebles and just the right speed or cadence can mean game over - unless your buddy also keeps a stash of these skunk killers! I have a few UL cranks in every tackle box but I have one box dedicated to UL fishing (shown below).

I really dig this collection. Awesome stuff! Do you own any of the Rapala ULs?

iceintheveins reply :

1. Shad Rap

2. 1/4 Ounce Live Target Bluegill

3. Bomber Model 5A

4. Strike King Mini 3

5. Strike King KVD 1.0

Also the Rapala Rattlin Fat Rap 4 and Risto Rap #4, but they aren't made anymore.

dmainor reply :

I am kind of surprised that the Yozuri Snap Bean didn't make anyone's list.

Dug

Cranks4fun reply :

Dorado, I have not used the "Rapala Ultralight crankbait" but I love the way they look! I do have some of the old Rapala Rattlin' fat Raps in 3 sizes and the smallest size is an ultralight size (not the tiny sinking balsa fat rap). I have caught bass on that small Rattlin' Fat Rap but I have not given them much time on the water, to be honest. I should probably use them more. I'll throw a picture in below. I just saw Iceintheveins mention the Rattlin' Fat Rap #4. I believe that is the smallest one.

Dmainor, I have some Yozuri Snap beans (gold and silver ones) but I have never caught anything on them. I have not given them much time on the water either. I have read on some forum that lots of guys love them though.

Munkin reply :

Size 4 and 5 Risto Rap

LC BDS 1.2

Allen

BassWhole! reply :

On 3/13/2017 at 1:45 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

Depends on your definition I suppose. The H2O baits are great baits for the money. I like the 1.0 Strike King, the 0.5 Lucky Crafts, Duo Realis shad 62DR or 59MR, and the #5 Shad Rap.

Great list. I'm down to a handfull of the original Rick Clunn .05. My smallest CB is a Combat Crank mini, mi largest "finesse" CB is a Daiwa Peanut.

BaitFinesse reply :

Great topic. I a lot of UL BFS but don't have many tiny cranks. I mostly throw a 1/8 trap early seasson then switch to plastics. I'll have to add more cranks.

fishwizzard reply :

I got really excited about finesse cranks last year and bought a pile of them off ebay. Sady the only ones that have ever produced for me are J5 jointed Rapals or 1/8oz Sebile lipless cranks. I should really clean out the rest of them as I don't think I am gonna fish them much anymore.

Columbia Craw reply :

1/8 Luhr Jensen Speed Trap. Money. Normans Tiny N's are also great baits.

Comfortably Numb reply :

Some of my favs....

Berkley Flicker Shad #5

H2O CRUL

H2O CRULD

Storm Smash Shad #5

Rebel craw

Rebel Super Teeny R

Rapala Shad Rap #5

Storm Pee Wee Wart

7444

Finesse Cranks 2024

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