Crankbaits On The Mud

[Curly]

I was just wondering if anyone out there has had much success trolling crankbaits on the mudflats. If so I was wondering what type of baits to use, I'm assuming you want something that dives at least to 20 feet or so with fireline. Any info would be great.

[rms]

I've had decent success with deep diving Reef Runners, long lining (around 120') with 10/4 fireline. I look for suspended fish off the edges of the flats, mark them on my GPS and troll across the GPS icon in a couple directions until I get bites. Most of the fish I've caught this way have been over 23". The fish you catch will absolutely hammer the bait.

[Curly]

Do you use the small reef runners or the large ones? Also what speed going by gps do you troll?

Thanks

[rms]

The large deep diving version. My best luck has come on the cheap sunglasses, clown and fried chicken colors. I know others that swear by blue and chrome. 1.5-2.5 mph on the GPS. I know if you let enough line out you will be dragging through the mud on top of flats at 27'--no good. I've caught nice fish in the 38' of water in the "no man's land" between flats, so don't be afraid to give it a try.

[Guest]

I've had success on the mud using a 3-way rig with the lure (of choice)I use #5 or #7 Perch Pattern Shad Raps and a 1.oz. swivel sinker.

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Chells

[codeblue]

I can confirm that the Deep Diver at 32-35ft produces on the edge of the mud flats and in-between in no mans land I've caught 24" fish. It is a blast to hook into them. Feels like you hit a log when we are trolling at about 1.4mph. Even with 180ft of line and we were not hitting bottom but I'm sure it gets down to 28ft or so.

[idratherbefishing]

Chells,
on that 3 way setup, how long of a leader do you tie the rap to the 3way so it works right?

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"Fishing is a condition of the mind in which one cannot possibly have a bad time."
idratherbefishing

[Johnny B]

Like Chells, I have had success using three-way rigs as well. They allow you to easily adjust the depth as you move on and off the flat searching for fish. By dropping your rod tip you can feel when the sinker hits the mud, reel in a few cranks or let out line to adjust accordingly. Don’t let the sinker drag though the mud; try to stay about a foot off the bottom. An eight-foot leader works well.

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