Is It Better to Push or Pull Crankbaits? Detailed Comparison

Fishing with crankbaits can be a highly effective method for catching fish (mostly bass and crappie), but the choice between pushing and pulling these lures can significantly impact your success. Whether you’re working through dense cover or covering expansive open waters, understanding the nuances of each technique is crucial.

Based on our experience and comprehensive research, we’ve compiled our best practices and tips to help you decide when to push or pull crankbaits for optimal results.

Understanding Crankbait Fishing Techniques

The two main methods are pushing and pulling. Each technique has its advantages, and choosing the right one depends on factors like water conditions and fish behavior (We’ll talk about all these later in this article).

Pushing crankbaits, often referred to as “pushing,” involves deploying the lures from the front of the boat. This method uses shorter lines and heavier weights, typically around 3 ounces, placed about 3 feet ahead of the crankbait.

The weight helps control the lure depth, making it easier to keep the crankbait in the strike zone. Pushing is particularly useful in waters with a lot of structure or when fishing in tight spaces because it allows for precise control and tighter turns. It’s also effective in smaller lakes or areas where maneuverability is crucial.

Pulling crankbaits, also known as “long-lining,” involves trailing the lures behind the boat without additional weights. The depth is controlled by the amount of line let out and the speed of the boat, generally between 1.6 to 1.8 mph.

Pulling allows you to cover a larger area of water, making it ideal for open waters where fish are spread out. This method is excellent for locating schools of crappie and is less likely to get snagged, as the lures are further away from the boat.

You might find this article useful: How To Fish Crankbaits?

Advantages of Pulling Crankbaits

1. Distance and Spread

Pulling crankbaits lets you position your lures far from the boat, which is essential in clear water or crowded areas. This method allows for a wider horizontal and vertical spread of lures, effectively covering more water.

For instance, using different sizes of Bandit Lures helps target varying depths, increasing the chances of finding fish. Keeping lures at a distance minimizes the risk of spooking fish, enhancing your overall success rate.

2. Depth Control

One of the main benefits of pulling crankbaits is the ease of controlling the lure’s depth. By using different sized lures, you can adapt to varied underwater terrains such as humps, ledges, and submerged creek or river beds.

This adaptability means you can adjust the depth without repositioning your boat, allowing you to efficiently target fish that may be at different levels in the water column. This flexibility is particularly useful when you’re unsure of the fish’s exact depth.

3. Covering More Water

Pulling crankbaits allows you to cover extensive areas swiftly, which is particularly advantageous when searching for schooling or nomadic crappie. This technique is especially useful in fall and summer fishing when crappie are more dispersed.

By keeping the boat moving, you can explore larger water expanses, increasing your chances of locating active fish. This dynamic approach keeps the fishing experience engaging and often leads to higher catch rates.

4. Seasonal Advantages

Pulling crankbaits is particularly effective during the fall and summer months. For example, pulling crankbaits in the fall at Ross Barnett Reservoir has led to impressive catches of large, healthy crappie.

During these seasons, crappie tend to be more active and spread out, making it essential to cover more water. The constant movement of the boat and lures keeps fish intrigued, often turning a slow fishing day into a highly productive one.

Advantages of Pushing Crankbaits

1. Precise Depth Control

When you push crankbaits, it allows for targeted depth precision by using heavy sinkers to control the exact running depth of the lures. This method is especially beneficial when fishing in areas with dense cover or targeting fish that are holding tight to specific structures.

The ability to maintain a consistent depth is crucial when crappie are less active and staying close to cover, increasing the chances of enticing a bite.

2. Tighter Turns and Maneuverability

Pushing crankbaits provides superior maneuverability, enabling tighter turns and more controlled fishing around obstacles. This method is particularly advantageous in smaller bodies of water where space is limited, allowing you to navigate carefully and avoid snags and tangles.

The increased control helps in maintaining the optimal position of the lures, ensuring they stay in the strike zone longer.

3. Reduced Line Tangling

When pushing crankbaits, line management becomes significantly easier, reducing the chances of tangling. This technique offers more control over the lines, which is essential when fishing in confined areas or around heavy cover.

The ability to manage multiple lines without frequent tangles allows for a more efficient fishing experience, letting you keep more lures in the water and boosting your chances to catch fish.

4. Reaction Bites

Pushing crankbaits is highly effective for eliciting reaction bites from crappie, particularly in shallow water and around structures where fish are likely to be hiding.

The precise control over the lure’s position and movement can provoke aggressive strikes from fish that might otherwise be inactive. This method excels in targeting specific spots where crappie are holding, making it a powerful technique for improving your catch rate in challenging conditions.

Equipment and Setup

Pulling Setup

For pulling crankbaits, we set up rod holders at the rear of the boat. Using multiple rods of different lengths helps us cover a wide area, increasing the chances of encountering fish at various depths and locations.

For example, using Bandit Lures with line counters allows us to precisely track the depth at which our lures are running, making it easier to adjust and target the desired depth. This setup is ideal for covering large areas of water efficiently and locating schools of crappie.

Pushing Setup

For pushing crankbaits, we mount rod holders at the front of the boat. This method requires using heavy weights and stiff rods to maintain control and achieve precise depth placement. We’ve found that 16-foot Lew’s Walley Marshall rods are particularly effective for this technique, providing the necessary stiffness and length to push lures accurately.

Check our recommendations on Best Crankbait Rod – Top 8 Rods Tested + Reviewed

The combination of heavy weights and long, stiff rods ensures that the lures stay at the desired depth, allowing for more precise targeting of fish holding close to cover or specific structures.

Situational Considerations

1. Water Conditions

Water clarity and quality are pivotal in deciding whether to push or pull crankbaits. In clear water, the fish can see the boat from a distance, making them more likely to spook. In such scenarios, pulling crankbaits is often more effective because it positions the lures far from the boat, reducing the likelihood of alarming the fish.

This technique is also beneficial in crowded fishing spots where numerous boats create noise and disturbance.

On the other hand, in murky or trashy water, pushing crankbaits tends to be more advantageous. The heavier weights used in pushing help the lures maintain their action even when they come into contact with debris. This approach ensures that the lures remain attractive and effective, despite the challenging water conditions.

2. Fish Behavior

Fish can be skittish in crowded areas or when they sense disturbances, such as from a boat or other anglers. In such conditions, pulling crankbaits allows you to keep the lures at a greater distance from the boat, making the fish less likely to be spooked and more likely to strike.

On the other hand, when fish are holding tight to cover or specific structures, pushing crankbaits provides precise control over lure placement. This method enables you to place the lures directly in the fish’s strike zone, increasing the chances of enticing a bite.

For example, when crappie are hiding close to submerged stumps or vegetation, pushing allows for more accurate targeting of these areas.

3. Fishing Locations

The choice between pushing and pulling crankbaits can significantly depend on the specific fishing locations and the type of environment you are fishing in. Main lake areas, deep flats, and channel ledges are prime locations for using crankbaits, but the effectiveness of each technique can vary.

In expansive open waters or deep flats, pulling crankbaits is often the preferred method as it allows you to cover a large area efficiently. By spreading multiple lines and varying the depths, you can locate schools of crappie that are spread out across the water.

On the other hand, in more confined spaces with a lot of structure, such as around channel ledges or dense cover, pushing crankbaits can be more effective.

This technique provides better maneuverability and control, allowing you to navigate tight spots and place your lures exactly where the fish are holding. Adapting your approach to the specific conditions and locations is key to maximizing your success on the water.

That’s everything we have to share about using crankbaits, whether pushing or pulling. If you need further assistance, feel free to message us, and our team will provide you with a customized solution.