MarkNY Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 Finally had a weather window today where I could get out in the boat and do a proper water test with a few lures. Overall it was a success. My deep diving crankbaits worked great. They dig deep so it's time to work on some shallower diving cranks. I think they will work well for walleye trolling too. Also tested some trolling model goby and alewife lures too. What I learned about them today is if you want a side to side wobble at slow speed you need an oversized lip. At least that's my theory. Lol. I made some 45 degree lip lures that when jerked or retrieved fast had a nice wobble but trolling at 2 or 2.5 mph they didn't have enough action. What would be your baseline parameters for getting a lure to swim properly in that situation? I want a lure that doesn't need to dive much, has a side to side roll and a horizontal stance. I'd appreciate your thoughts or suggestions. Thanks, Mark 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dauds Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 I agree with your theory with the oversize lips. I've been able to get some nice slow speed wobble (albeit on a bit larger lures) with a circular lip. Typically, I'll turn a lexan lip with a diameter about twice the width of the (average) lure body. Being circular, the lip doesn't protrude too far forward, but further out the sides than I usually see. I tend to put them in at 45 degrees. Shallower or steeper angles don't seem to offer significantly different action. Also, when jerked instead of trolling, you can get some great wounded fish action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 20, 2017 Report Share Posted February 20, 2017 The speed of the 'waggle' is related to the retrieval speed and the width of the lip. To slow down the waggle frequency and thus give it a wider travel, you either slow the retrieval speed or increase the width of the lip. It's a vortex thing. Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted February 20, 2017 Report Share Posted February 20, 2017 (edited) I think it's hard to say exactly what the problem might be with your slow speed trolling baits. You can get more action out of a shallow bait if the line tie is placed as close to the top of the lip as possible. Bending it downward from its present position might point the way to get more action. I build a bait that thumps like crazy at 1.5 mph. It's a 3" flat sided shad shaped balsa or paulownia bait, 1/4 to 5/16" wide, weighing just over 1/4 oz with a 45 degree 7/8" long rounded lip that is max 3/4" wide. The line tie is right down on the top of the lip. It will run true at any speed but is best trolled because it won't cast well due to the light weight. The bait is based on a custom bait called the Shad Killer that a friend in Ohio sent me a few years ago. A friend and I troll it for striped bass on an inland reservoir with great success. Edited February 20, 2017 by BobP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkNY Posted February 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 Thanks for the tips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 (edited) Lower line tie,wider lip definitely better action,but timber weight and ballast also important, are you using light timber? The lure top left does seem to have tie very high on nose,and small lip for volume of body. Nice lures! Edited February 21, 2017 by gliders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
