18 Nebraskaland • June 2023
The
Crankbait
Canvas
any a fl y angler knows the satisfaction of catching
fi sh on a hand-tied masterpiece. For those more
inclined to cast and retrieve for pike, bass and
walleye, here is a way to emulate that remarkable
experience: painting crankbaits.
Quality crankbaits are some of the most expensive
products to tie to the end of a line. At $5-20 each, losing one
to a deep snag can put a damper on a day of fi shing. Alas,
unpainted plastic crankbait blanks resembling many beloved
models are available online at $1 or less each. Simply put,
you can just add paint and hooks and get them to the water.
If you are like me, you may be reluctant to trust your limited
artistic abilities to something as important as catching a
fi sh. Thankfully, with crankbaits, an exquisite appearance is
not imperative.
The Art CriƟ c
Even though I do not hold a degree in aquatic psychology,
I can safely surmise fi sh are not art critics. Just as I do not
place a lot of critical judgement on the appearance of a
cheeseburger at a fast-food restaurant when I'm hungry,
most fi sh seemingly do not closely scrutinize the details of
a moving crankbait. If something buzzes by that looks like
suitable prey and the fi sh is hungry, there's probably not a
lot of internal debate, i.e. "I'd bite, but that orange on the
pectoral fi n is a little too dark, and the design isn't quite
symmetrical."
M
Right: Assorted paints, tools, fi nished and unfi nished lures.
PainƟ ng baits is rewarding,
economical and fun.
Story and photos by Justin Haag
