Need some help...

[Luretrekker]

Hi lurebuilders,

I need some help with this short crank I built...it's not working right. Of course it dives, but has very poor action. It's always the same...almost never have problems with lure action with lures, that have the line-eye at the body...or when the lure ist longer. But the combination of a short lure with deep-diving lip often produces problems...no idea what is wrong with it.

Is it the position of the line-eye...the position of the lead?

I know many of you are building typically short crankbaits...so maybe one of those "short-crank" specialists has an idea what's wrong at this construction....

Thanks for your help!

[dtrs5kprs]

Looks like an awful lot of things (differnet shapes, tail, etc) are going on in the body of the bait at the same time. That will not help stabilize action. The lip looks a little thicker than the ones we normally build in the states. You might be better off to groove the underside of the lip and try to get the line tie harness to fit flush with the underside.

It almost looks like there is just not going to be enough body at the tail end to make that bait work the way you want it to. Very cool tail flapper though.

[Luretrekker]

Hi, I don't think the thickness of the lip or the wire under the lip is crucial for the action. I couldn't observe a negative effect with other lures. It just would look nicer maybe.

But that there is not enough body at the tail is more plausible for me, and was one of my thoughts. Could be one reason, because there is missing bouyancy.

But where do you place the lead in a standard shaped crankbait with a deep-diving lip for example.

[dtrs5kprs]

Lead is usually between the lip and or attached to the first hook hanger. I would have guessed your lead position is about right. It could be off a bit from the center of the bait (if looking down on the back). Normally I attach mine to the vertical wires forming the first hanger. Have seen a lot of baits with additional weight between the lip and first hanger, usually in an attempt to increase depth.

Thickness of the lip affects overall weight, diving depth, etc. That is why you see use of materials like circuit board on a lot of cranks.

Suppose I should have asked for more specifics regarding the incorrect action you have observed...Spinnning? Broaching? Lack of vibration? Are you testing it with the tail attached?

[Luretrekker]

Ok, thanks for the lead positioning. So this is not that wrong.

I was testing the lure without the tailfin. And it is diving, but there is a lack of vibration. Only with very low pull there is a vibration, but thats not the velocity one would fish the lure.

First I had more lead inside, but this killed the action completely. So I drilled out some lead again, and it worked a bit better.

The only thing I need is to increase the missing vibration If possible.

I got an pm with the idea that the belly could be to flat at the sides...maybe this could be a reason. Most crankbaits are more roundbellied...but that's the reason why I wanted to create something different ;-)

Ok regarding the weight of the lip, of course you are right...this would have an influence on diving depth.

[FishPork]

I know your after a different style bait,I tried one very very similar to it and the thing I found was,when you start raising the (forehead so to speak )up high it starts to guide the bait and does not let water from the lip flow easily across.It acts as a verticle ruder.Sand down the hump a little and I think you will get the action your lookin for,it worked on mine.I no longer have the bait or I would post it. Cool design, Good Luck

[BobP]

I'd try moving the line tie back or putting it in the bait touching the top of the bill (which I prefer when possible). That should give you the tightest hardest thump with that bill and body shape. If that doesn't do it, increase the bill down angle a bit. Interesting body shape. Looks average from the top but unique from the side!