The Allure Of Wooden Crankbaits

The Crankbait Commentator - Charles Graves

February 2005

           For  many years, one of the secret baits of the pros have been wooden crankbaits. Sure, we have all seen pictures of them slinging the plastic plugs, but when it comes crunch time, and the money is one the line, many will reach for their wooden ones. The reason is as simple as this. 

They catch more fish.

Wooden crankbaits produce an action you simply cannot duplicate with a plastic bait. Wood gives the baits a rolling, injured minnow action the bass find extremely difficult to turn down. They have a more random "Searching", or "hunting" track during the retrieve. I feel this type of random, confused track triggers more strikes due to imitating a dazed or disoriented baitfish. Also, due to the density differences in wood (no two having the same density), no two wooden crankbaits will have the exact same action. Again, and advantage when fishing pressured waters, and one of the reasons wood is so popular with those that know this.

Are there differences in the different wooden Baits? Absolutely. I am a firm believer in hand carved wooden plugs over the mass produced wood baits any day. They do cost more, but they simply produce a better action and catch more bass. Though there are many fine hand custom crafted wood lures, my favorite baits are those personally made by Chip, the owner of Carolina Chips Lure Company. These baits are unbeatable.

Now to discuss the differences in wood:

The most common wood for crankbaits is Balsa. This wood is incredibly lightweight, with very high floatation, and a very lifelike action. The drawback to Balsa is that it is not particularly strong. It is a fairly weak wood that will not withstand allot of abuse. A consideration if you are going to fish aggressive species.

For those who want a crankbait that can withstand more abuse, Cedar is the popular choice, though still not the best. Cedar lures are very dense and therefore heavier than Balsa baits, therefore they can be fished a little slower, but they are much stronger. Cedar is not as buoyant as Balsa, and has a more subdued action.

Then there is Jelutong wood. Jelutong gives anglers the best of both worlds. It has the Action and Buoyancy of Balsa, but it is as strong and tough as Cedar. I have all my baits made for me out of Jelutong. It is simply the best in my opinion.

Again, the biggest reason to chose hand carved wooden baits above any other type of cranks is the action.

ACTION = BASS.

Good Fishing,

Charles Graves

  Thanks for reading if you have a comment feel free to email me at tnbasser_fishingwithcharles@yahoo.com