Tuning Crankbaits

Like a piano your crainkbaits can get out of tune.  After repeatedly bouncing off of rocks and stumps your lure might not track straight anymore when reeling it in.  Lures that don't track straight might not look as natural in the water and cause you to get less strikes.  Many times  new crainkbaits right out of the box need tuning.  Tuning crankbaits isn't the most enjoyable thing to do, but it is pretty easy. The only tool necessary for tuning a crankbait is a pair of needle nose pliers. 

To tune your crankbaits follow the these steps.



Test your crankbaits in calm water

1.  Cast your lure into calm water and reel it in quickly with your rod tip pointing down towards the water.  As you reel it in pay attention to the direction your lure is tracking if it's running straight no adjustments are needed, if your lure is running to the right or left note the direction so you can make the proper adjustments.



Use needle nose pliers to bend the eyelet.

2.  If your crankbait is tracking to the right, you will need to bend the eyelet (the spot that you tie your line to) to the left.  If your crankbait is tracking to the left bend the eyelet to the right.  Make small adjustments, bending the eyelet too much could cause it to break.



 

3.  After you make the adjustment re-test your crankbait and make further adjustments as needed.
Some eyelets will be harder to bend than others, and might require the use of two pairs of pliers to accomplish.  When using two pairs of pliers use one pair to hold the edge of the lure lip and the other on the edge of the eyelet. 


Trial and error is the only way to really learn how to tune your crankbaits, but the time invested in tuning your baits will pay off with better success on the water.

If you like this article check out which this post on choosing a crankbait.