Spotie crankbait?

[SOUTHBAYFISHKILLA]

Any tips on what crankbaits to try for spotties?

[Siebler]

Way back when the only answer you would have heard was Berkly Frenzy Minnow but those are long gone and everybody has discovered other baits that work great- although i am not sure any will ever be Frenzy good.

I fish a lot of baits that are 8-14' divers and 3-4" in length (for fishing Mission Bay and comparable water). Colors in any shad pattern, fire tiger, citrus shad, etc will work. Some of the more popular baits include the Fat Free shad and Luckycraft Pointer. Sometimes the fish like the more round baits and sometimes they like the longer profile baits. The majority of the bait spotties see are a longer profile so I generally like those but have picked up some of the biggest spotties on fat free shad and similar baits.

Below are pics of the Original Frenzy and then the reincarnation of the same bait a few years later. Most folks say that the remake wasnt as good as the original but both kicked ass for spotties. If you can find these buy them, otherwise look for similar baits and youll have a great place to start. The originals were around until probably 2004 and the remake was around until im guessing 2008-2010 or so. Still possible to find them on Ebay. There is also a shallower diver of the same old style. These were phenomenal for Corvina. There was just something about the profile and action of this bait that matched our bays amazingly well.

[Iceman]

I have used Excalibur Fat Free shad for years. Found them recently at Dick's for only $2.99, that is 1/2 what they sell for most places. Stocked up on the chartreuse shad models and other shad, all time favorite is the crawdad pattern.

http://photos-d.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xfa1/10848287_323022777893867_2140438402_n.jpg

http://scontent-a.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xaf1/t51.2885-15/10843812_1512709669001956_590886754_n.jpg

[Siebler]

FYI- If you cant find the Fat Free Shad under the Excalibur name try looking for Bomber as they are the ones making them now. Obviously Andy has been fishing them forever like I have to remember them under the Excalibur name. Forgot the mention this in my first post.

[MrPatrick]

Rippin' Rap. I've used in the big bay in depths up to 60' deep.
14018. Long line it with braid.

[yak-fishing-socal]

👍 thanks for the info

[SOUTHBAYFISHKILLA]

Great info !

[rogersmith]

cranks work very well for spotties but in my opinion, bend down the barbs. I just don't like messing with the trebles and tend to stick to single hook lures for that reason. Hate to release a fish shredded up for no reason

[JeffB]

The Lucky Craft's and Yo Zuri's work best for me

[capntim]

Thanks for the info CJ. Never thought about using the Frenzys for Spotties. Also didn't know you couldn't get them any more. Glad I got a dozen of them!

[viti]

Rapala DTs can also work well

[Nic D]

great read and info guys. dont forget the R2S baits. River 2 Sea.

[yak-fishing-socal]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=381085898749&alt=web

These any good for anything

[Nic D]

Ebay is your friendzy.... Best $8 I ever just spent.

This one is supposedly pre 2002.

[bwana]

Time to plan a trip to MB and give these ol' fresh out of the box BFs a tryout...

I hope they still work.

Don't know if they are pre-2002, but they are definitely over 10 years old.

And to think my friends make fun of me for hoarding good tackle.

http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u544/OCbwana/P1010266_zpsda15a5cd.jpg