Kelley Island

[ErieEye]

Is there a point where crankbaits are no longer a good idea or will they still produce even if harnesses are preferred? Do you still run some crankbaits when trying to get on fish or does the 50 degree mark significantly decrease their effectiveness?

As the water continues to warm the type of crankbait that your going to want to run will change and the speed your going to run it will change. Whereas for the last few weeks the top baits have been deep huskies and bandits ran at speeds below 1.5 mph typically. As you get into summer you might run hot n tots, shad raps, flicker minnows and deep little rippers at speeds in excess of 2.7 mph. Crankbaits do produce all year. There are lots of variables that go into what bait your going to want to run on any given day besides temperature. Water clarity, depth and the amount of trash fish present( can't stand feeding the white perch and sheephead all my worms) really dictates what baits I'm gonna be running.