Types Of Crankbaits: What Are Their Differences?

Sport Fishing Buddy has some amazing information about crankbaits and their differences. This chart from their website I found extremely helpful. I'm more of a visual learner, like I'm sure most of you are as well. I just wanted to share this with you guys so that you can better understand the differences between crankbaits! Go check out their website for more information!

Crankbait Types Chart

Type of crankbait	Image	Lip shape & size	Diving depth (feet)

Square bill crankbait		Square lip	2' to 5'
Round bill crankbait		Round lip	2' to 30' (depending on size & angle of lip)
Lipless crankbait		No lip	10' to 40'
Shallow diving crankbait		Small lip	2' to 5'
Medium diving crankbait		Medium size lip	5' to 15'
Deep diving crankbait		Big lip	12' to 30'

CRANKBAITS! What Are They?

What the heck is a crankbait you might ask?

You might have heard about a crankbait previously, but heard of it as a different name:

• Crankbait
• Square bill
• Deep divers
• Flat side cranks
• Medium runner

Crankbaits are a favorite for first time anglers. They're also used by many of the pro-fisherman. According to Sport Fishing Buddy "crankbaits are fishing lures a made of hard plastic or wood and are used to catch predatory fish such as bass, walleye, and trout."

On the next post I'll discuss all about choosing crankbaits and my personal favorites.

I just want to point out that next to a Texas rig plastic, crankbaits are my favorite thing to fish. I love crankbaits and I've been extremely successful with them!

Local Fishing Spots

 Hello everyone! My name is Morgan & I was asked to guest write. I would like to share some local fishing favorite spots of mine. Local would be considered around the Houtzdale area. 

One of my favorite spots to go would be "Pine Lake". Its located behind Caprios Beer Distributor. Ive been going here ever since I was little when my dad would take me out there fishing. Years went by until I ventured out there on my own & have continued going ever since. There are actually a couple nice ponds back there. Another pond many know about is the "Bass Ponds" which is not too far from Pine Lake. Both Ponds have large mouth bass, rock bass, perch, blue gill, pumpkin seeds & crappy. I know Pine Lake has some decent size carp but I'm not sure about the Bass Ponds. 

Here are a few pictures of the different parts of Pine Lake. It is quite big and shaped oddly so it has some different views. 

Choosing A Trailer - How?

Choosing a trailer can be very confusing. 

It almost takes me back to talking about Senko's. But choosing your trailer is very important to catching fish. I am going to use swim jigs as the example here because we just talked about them. But when choosing your trailers, you want to try your best to match up the other with the swim jig. You don't want a white swim jig with a green pumpkin trailer. I mean I don't anyway. HA! 

So what is a trailer anyway? A trailer is a soft plastic that you can attach to lures such as swim jigs. This gives them a little extra. Trailers can often be fished by themselves with just a normal Texas rig. But they work great paired up with a swim jig. 

Some good trailers:

• Strike King Rage Bug
• Googan Baits Happy Trailer
• KVD Rage Chunk

Reeling in the Fun: A Guide to Taking Your Kids Fishing (Without Losing Your Mind)

Anyone with kids knows that trying to do anything with kids is never easy. This includes fishing. That is why in this blog, we'll be discussing what to do so you can capture the joys of taking your kids fishing and avoid utter meltdown central. Because nothing says "quality time" like being surrounded by nature and constantly asking your kid to stop throwing rocks in the water.

Spending time outdoors with kids is important because it helps them appreciate the natural world and gives them a break from staring at screens all day. Plus, it's a great opportunity to bond and make lasting memories. So, let's dive in and learn how to make your kid's first fishing trip successful!

Location is Key

Choosing a suitable location is key. You want to find a spot that's easy to access, has a good chance of catching fish, and isn't too far from the nearest ice cream stand. Gathering necessary equipment can be a hassle, but it's worth it. Don't forget to pack sunscreen, bug spray, and enough snacks to feed a small army. Safety first, folks! Teach your child about the dangers of hooks, slippery rocks, and the fact that fish do not like being hugged. And most importantly, involve your child in the preparation process. Let them help pack the tackle box, choose the bait, and decide which superhero they want to wear on their fishing hat.

Teach Them The Art Form of Casting

Before your child can catch fish like a pro, they need to know what they're dealing with. Show them pictures of the different types of fish they might catch and explain the unique qualities of each. Casting a line is an art form, and it takes practice to master. Be patient and demonstrate the technique slowly, or risk a hook in the ear. Once your child has caught a fish, they need to know how to hook it and reel it in. It's important to stress the importance of treating the fish with respect and returning it to the water quickly. And don't forget to teach your child about fishing ethics and regulations. It's never too early to instill a sense of responsibility in your little angler.

Trust the Process

Fishing can be a long and tedious process, so make sure you pack plenty of snacks and drinks to keep your child fueled and hydrated. Trust us, a hungry kid is a grumpy kid. Play fishing games to keep your child entertained when the fish aren't biting. See who can cast the farthest or make up a story about the one that got away. A little friendly competition never hurt anyone. Set a goal for the number of fish caught, or see who can catch the biggest fish. Just be prepared to lose gracefully if your kid beats you. And don't forget to capture memories with a camera. A photo of your child's first catch is a priceless memento that they'll treasure for years to come.

Switch it Up

Let's face it, kids have short attention spans. Be prepared to switch up the scenery or change up the bait if your child loses interest. Keep your child engaged by asking questions and sharing interesting facts about the fish and their habitat. Did you know that some fish can change color to blend in with their surroundings? Tangled lines are an inevitable part of fishing, but they don't have to ruin your day. Teach your child how to untangle the line themselves, or use it as an opportunity to practice teamwork. And if your child gets discouraged after a few unsuccessful casts, encourage them to keep trying. Fishing is all about patience and perseverance, and you never know when you might get that big catch!

Ignite Some Passion

So there you have it, folks. By following these tips, you can make your child's first fishing trip successful. Just remember to be patient, have fun, and enjoy the great outdoors with your little angler. Fishing with your child is an opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime, and who knows, you might even ignite a passion

Swim Jigs - What Are They?

 What the heck is a swim jig you might ask? It is only my favorite of all of the jigs. 

They can be fished multiple ways! They can be accented with trailers. According to Karl's the main difference between a swim jig and a casting jig is the head design. This lure has a vertical nose so that it can swim through the water column. With a trailer on it, you can basically make them look like a fish. I love them. I think they are awesome to fish with. Best news of all you can buy them so that they are Texas rigged. They also come with a weed guard if you don't prefer the Texas rig. The strike king swim jig in blue gill color is probably my favorite to use around our area. We don't have many shad around here, so the blue gill is typically what the bass are going after. 

Fishing During the Spawn - CAN I?

So, when I first started bass fishing, I saw so many anglers getting so excited about fishing during the spawn. Most states have their own rules and regulations about fishing during the spawn. Here is Pennsylvania's and I just wanted to remind everyone of this before we get started with this post.

§ 63.43. Fishing for bass during spring season.

 (a)  During the period from 12:01 a.m. on the second Saturday in April until 12:01 a.m. on the second Saturday in June:

   (1)  It is unlawful to kill or possess, while in the act of fishing, any largemouth, smallmouth or spotted bass.

   (2)  Tournaments are not permitted.

   (3)  Catch and release fishing for bass is limited as follows: It is unlawful for an angler to repeatedly cast into a clearly visible bass spawning nest or redd in an effort to catch or take bass. Otherwise, a bass caught and immediately returned unharmed to the waters from which taken during this period will not be considered a violation of this section.

 (b)  This section does not apply to portions of the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers and their tributaries that are regulated under §  65.24 (relating to miscellaneous special regulations).

This law can be very confusing, but the short answer is yes you can fish during the spawn. BUT you cannot cast into beds knowingly and repeatedly and you much immediately catch and release. 

This is a subject that is very up in the air for most anglers. Alot of people believe that this can hurt the bass population because the bass do not always return to their beds when being caught. However, the bass are extremely feisty at this time because they are trying to protect their young. On the next post, I will share some videos from other states where it is legal to throw into beds. Its extremely interesting to me how aggressive they are at this time.

Here is a Spawning chart for the areas across the United States! Click on the picture below for more information.