[Skeeter]

One of the biggest questions that I am asked from folks buying my crankbaits is "Will it cartwheel"? Many think that the reason a crankbait cartwheels is because it is made badly. It is true that a properly weighted and ballanced crankbait will throw more true than one that is just thrown together, one of the things that you can do is to give the lure about 18 inches of line before you throw the bait. This will greatly reduce the cartwheeling for well made baits. I was given this tip by a guy at a boat ramp and it has worked tremendously for me. Also, getting rid of those buggy whip rods to throw them with will help also.
Skeeter

[Dean McClain]

A high-arching snap-cast with especially spinning tackle and no line feathering, but also with a baitcaster, as someone might cast for maximum distanceout on a large structure feature, will have most wooden cranks tumbling or cartwheeling at the end of the cast, especially if into a breeze. Someone cranking down a brushy bank in the spring with the same lure and baitcasting tackle might never experience cartwheeling however because positive pressure is much more apt to be constantly maintained on the line-tie, therebye stabilizing the lure's flight. Many well-made cranks will tumble if allowed to free-fall, which most typically occurs at the end of a cast especially when casting for distance. A buggy-whip type rod simply doesn't have the power to generate the speed necessary to maintain tension near the end of a maximum length cast with a lure that has the aerodynamic properties of most wooden crank baits, whereas leadheads, tailspinners or tailweighted twitchers jerks and poppers would perform quite differently and be less sensitive to tackle and technique. And of course, some cranks cartwheel worse than others. So yeah Skeeter, the most correct answer most of the time to the "Does it cartwheel?" question would be "Can you Cast?" Not necessarily the most diplomatic of course.
Dean

[Skeeter]

Sorry for the long response time Dean. I just checked this part of the board out tonite. The reason I put this post up was because just about everyone that buys a bait from me wants to ask that question first. I have watched so many guys just "sling" baits. They pay very little attention to what they are doing and have no techique. Their equipment usually doesn't cut it either. Most folks assume that if a bait tumbles it is because it is a bad bait. By showing people how to cast a crankbait they get alot more enjoyment out of it. You're right, I am not very diplomatic..... I'm a crankbait maker.
Skeeter

[detroit1]

skeeter - you are the man ! do you own a skeeter? i'm enjoying all the info you share with all of us on tu... detroit1

[Vodkaman]

Unfortunately, I am stuck with the spinning rod, at least for the near future. It was my intention to do spinning and had no idea that I was going to get into cranks and even if I had, I would have probably bought the same equipment thinking that cranks and spinners were basically the same type of lures.

Yes, I'm getting the broadside helicopter effect.

I did find that by not trying so hard to 'wang' the thing out there that it actually flew further.

My main problem is my fishing past as a light weight float and maggot angler. I take your point about the stiffer rod probably being more effective. It seems you have to give the lure a chance to balance itself in the air. If you force it, the lure becomes totally unstable and never recovers.

I obviously need to learn more on this subject and will be trying a few things out this weekend.

[smirkplug]

Ive Found That Cartwheeling Can Be Reduced By Lengthing The Amount Of Line Distance Between My Rod Tip And The Lure, Also Slightly Cheating By Thumbing The Line Will Balance The Lures Flight, I Also Hate When The Front Hook Wraps On The Line When It Hits The Water, So I Stop The Lure At Its Last Foot Before It Hits The Water So It Lands Flat Or Horizontal To The Water. In All Spots You Get Only 1 First Cast So I Make The Best Presentation Possible !!!!

[Cranky Fish]

Doesn't matter what type or brand of crank you throw. It's gonna happen from time to time. I'm known by everyone as a cranker. Try a sidearm cast close range or for distance. Remember your little league days. A line drive is always better than that beautiful rainbow!

[The_Rookie]

I believe the guy that is that worried about a crankbait doing a cartwheel needs a life!!! I have fished for over 20 years! And I never thought about how the bait was flying in the air! Throwing a baitcaster is a skill... Some got it ...some dont...Best way to get it is to keep on casting... You guys are getting deep now!!! You want to throw you bait a long way!!! Here is a tip!! USE LIGHT LINE!!! Problem with most fisherman I see is they use to strong of line!! Thinkin there going to catch 40 pound fish..HOW MANY FISHERMAN!! RAISE YOUR HAND!! USE 20 pound line!!! and catch 1 to 2 pound fish!!! 95 percent of the time!!! I use 4 pound line and cast megabass and lucky craft lures! Some of the most expensive factory lures on the market.. Most call me crazy! But I have yet to break my line on a big fish! If you want to go farther and deeper with your cranks use light line! I promise you will catch more and bigger fish! Cartwheel!! THEIR's NO CARTWHEELING IN FISHIN!! This is not Gymnastics!

[Skeeter]

That's kinda like saying there's no slices in golf. Casting and crankbaiting is a skill that is learned and practiced. The practice of putting a well made lure where you want it and getting maximum performance out of your equipment is what any serious fisherman should strive for.
Skeeter

[Dean McClain]

That's kinda like saying there's no slices in golf. Casting and crankbaiting is a skill that is learned and practiced. The practice of putting a well made lure where you want it and getting maximum performance out of your equipment is what any serious fisherman should strive for.

Agreed, Skeeter. And I will add that using 4 pound line where I normally fish, that aside from providing no advantage whatsoever, that 99% of the time I would catch nothing over one or two pounds. And I have caught many fish on 4 pound line. Being versatile = being efficient. And if you cannot contol cartwheeling when deep-cranking you will not only be fishing very inefficiently but you will be twisting the #&*! out of your line both casting and especially retrieving!

Dean