The Forgotten Art Of Weighting Lures 

Right on! This is where the swimming pool comes in super handy…you can alter and test out different baits when the pool water is cold , to replicate the actual lake conditions. In addition to the Storm weights, you can also add bigger split rings , and larger hooks, as well as, repositioning different hook sizes to help jerkbaits to suspend perfectly. I have found that no two identical baits suspend the same, and each bait needs adjusted accordingly. By fine tuning your baits in the pool, it really gives you a leg up at the lake. Rob

One thing that has surprises me with talk on weighting crankbaits is how little discussion there is about the placement of weight in such a way that maintains as much of the action as possible or intentionally deadening it. My first try at weighting baits involve carefully selecting the weight needed in the sink with the weight (nail), finding the pivot center at top and bottom of bait, drill between those two points, and inserting the nail, minor cuts and seal off. After first time ever replacing hooks and seeing how it affected my Bagley crank, I was very aware of how small changes could impact my baits. This method was intended to minimize the change to the bait action. Suspend strips away from that pivot point will tend to deaden the action, which may be exactly what is desired in winter. Really good topic.

I routinely out fish friends of mine fishing the same baits as I am because they don't weight theirs. I tend to use a little nail polish to help camouflage the suspend strip so it is harder to see on both the fish and the people I am fishing against. KILLER OLD SCHOOL TECHNIQUE!!! I will also change out split rings and hook sizes to influence the neutral buoyancy as well.

I hope your people understand the value of this information. Test for balance or desired lure descent prior to trip, matching line use. This is so critical in the understanding of bite triggers and strike zone probabilities. Anyone hungry for adaptive thinking, look in!

The suspend strip adhesive drove me crazy for years. Switched over to lead tape you can get at any golf shop. The glue and the quality of the tape is much better.

Hey Randy....Great interview with Dave Mercer...Really enjoyed it!!!!

Love this video Randy! I did just this and caught some nice ones before the ice over! I put the Suspen Strips on my Shad Raps (probably 3-4) and turned it into a suspending bait with a very slow rise. I made sure it was a slow rise so it would rise slowly after making contact with structure like a stunned bait fish. My waters are mostly barren bottoms with some grass clumps. I caught fish with it suspended, like a jerk bait and by bumping the bottom as well as ripping it free from grass. Interesting side benefits are, the bait dives deeper because of the larger lip so you can get it deeper when using it as a jerk bait. Also, because it's deeper you can jerk it upward more often causing it to roll over like a flailing bait fish. I caught plenty using that technique! I will have to color the Suspen Strips red and try that! I use the size 5 and 6 Shad Raps as they mimic the right size of my bait fish in the Winter. I chose the Bluegill and Shad colors. I also sand the reflective finish off of the baits to dull them.

Many have forgotten this little trick, I still use it ,but I am old school.

Back in the days before suspending jerk baits people would add split shot up ahead of a floating Rapala or they would Carolina rig a floating Rapala (before it was referred to as Carolina rigging) lol

Good info here randy. Shad rap is a staple here in north East Tennessee. I'm going throw out a cheat sheet here. A no.5 shad rap with #6 short shank hooks and half a suspend strip rapped around the back hook suspends perfectly and a no.7 shad rap with #4 short shanks and 1 1/2 suspend strips suspends perfectly.

Wow awesome. I have not seen this. Thanks for sharing

Thank you sir for the tips...suspend dots and strips have been my secret weapon here in the pacific northwest great for adjusting depths of many lures..ty again for your time

Randy, I just want to take a moment and thank you for all the time and effort you put into your videos, the key information you share with all of us viewers is very much appreciated, at least from myself, I have learned a massive amount by paying attention to what you're teaching I cannot thank you enough, keep up the excellent work sir, I appreciate you.

Thanks Randy! I instinctively knew you were going to say slow roll after the dive. Being almost an old person I really get excited when someone remembers the shadrap.

I still fish several old jerkbaits weighted with suspendots. Not totally forgotten

Been using those strips for years they work great.

Great juice. Really helpful!

Hey Randy, enjoyed the video. I have been weighting crankbaits for many years and it really works. I normally use it on a rockcrawler late winter/early spring. I have used the suspend strips for many years but last year I came across the Nishine Lure Works Outer Weight. It worked great for me. Several really nice bass last year. Thanks for all your help.

I’m always telling youngsters who come to the store about weighted crankbaits and jerkbaits. When I used to teach this, I would set up two identical rods and the same lure with and without dots or strips. It truly is amazing to see the effect these little pieces of sticky lead on your favorite lure. Bottom line, show them something different and you will out fish your competition every day.

thanks Randy great video

Thanks for the video randy! This is something I have always struggled with, winter cranking ... thanks pal for all you do for our sport of hogging!! Johnny bubbles

I’ve never tried to weight my lures , your teaching and tricks are spot on

I have used these storm suspend dots before and it is unreal as to how much of a difference they make on a bait. I placed a couple right behind the front hook like you said and they really change the rise of the bait! The hooks on these magabass jerk baits that I got from baitwrx are needle sharp!! I just got off work and I am catching up on your videos and the hat and the shirt are awesome!!! Thanks Randy for sharing these tips with us! :)

Cool Randy good video

Thank you, Randy.

Thanks Randy I remember watching a video along time ago the way you pros would drill holes in the jerkbait and put the lead in the hole but this easier put the lead strips in between the hooks and your fishing thanks for all the great stuff you teach us God bless you and your family your pal fisherman Mike

Thanks for the tip Randy. This is something I plan to use. I have several Rapala crankbaits. Thanks for all your work.

Mr. Blaukat, Both great baits and I would add the Berkley Flickr Shad. This time of the year is some of the best fishing of the year.

Love it man love them strips i have found some brands that make a suspended crankbait. I always wondered why more companies dont make it an option for all there baits i really think there are missing the boat on this. Npi an bakers is one that does make them

Now that’s some really good tips. Definitely going to look at some of these strips. It’s been a long time since I’ve used them. Sometimes you just need a reminder.

This is a very good and useful video. Superglue, lead and a little paint on almost all my jerkbaits and some cranks. Some jerkbaits get a set of bigger hooks first.

Great video Randy. I've been doing this for years on the small Bagley Long A. Works good post spawn as well.

Thank you Randy! I've been adding a little big hook on my shad raps and had some success, but really wanted my lure to suspend. I saw the strips but was on fense because I waste so much money on ideas I have. Great information and I always enjoy your videos.

I still do this. I've taken weight out of baits with a drill 😬

Thank you so much for the tips Randy! I have been weighting my jerkbaits for the last 2 months.I live in New Jersey and the water temp is currently 37 degrees f. in my local lake.I have them weighted so they fall about 1 foot every 2 seconds.I am fishing in 14 ft. of water with pretty good success,just twitching the bait and pausing very near the bottom.

Great tip about adding a little superglue. I was bummed when I left my suspend strips in my rod locker for a few months and they deteriorated big time

Great and interesting tips! For some reason you tube didn’t send me a notification for this video. I’m subscribed to the channel and set to receive all notifications but it didn’t send me this one

I miss the cold crystal clear waters of up state NY. Cut my teeth jerking deep water. Around here it's always muddy.

I always had issues with hook points eventually pealing off the strips, I might try the superglue trick.

Thanks for all the info Randy!

It’s not forgotten. It’s just us tinkering guys are wood bait guys and make our own.

I just ordered your hoodie intuitive angling

G'day Randy I used to use suspenda dots on my crankbaits over here in Australia...I used them so I could get neutral buoyancy in my lures and dots would help me fine...By the way I would also change my trebles out too because generally standard trebles on imported cranks especially Rapalas were too fine and not strong enough for Australian Native Fish species....Then no longer can Aussies buy the Norman suspending dots and strips became the normal switch out...I have problems getting the lures to weight properly now with the strips as they are no where near as easy to get the lures to just sit and they also seem to have sticking issues meaning after a few swim uses they just fall off...I wish our tackle importers would bring the dots back out here again...regards B.J.

Fat slap factually slaps. Did real well on both smallie rivers and largemouth lakes last late winter/early spring

Good tip. I’ve had a sheet of those suspend dots in my sinker box for a long time and never used them. I think they were included with some Storm lure I bought.

Edwin Evers is the master of the Flap Slap! Watch his video on how he weights it.

Randy, your take on the strips vs drilling and filling? Also I've always been Leary of putting stripps on bottom cause I know fish can see it. What about putting them in top ridge of the bait vs bottom. Your thoughts please.

Love the info! Can’t wait for the jerkbait video

I just weighed some of my jerkbaits and shad raps with the storm strips not the dots 2 weeks ago and caught a 3lber first cast in 36 degree water

still do this for surfcasting for striper's in saltwater.

I am going to do the same with a shallow shad rap. Most of the ponds where i fish are not much deeper then 5 foot. Can’t see why it wouldn’t work.

It has to be the title should name everything smartazz…

Randy! Make me a damn video for Ga. Not north Ga, or Lanier. I need some videos and tips for our muddy shitty lakes in Ga.

Always like your advice, I have a Shimano Calcutta 200gtb need a rod can you help me please !!!!!!

How do you determine how much weight to add without seeing where the bait is actually sitting in the water column at a certain temperature? Do you pretest the buoyancy in a bucket of water, sink or bath tub? Just curious as to how you make the required adjustments for proper presentation. I'd appreciate your input.

Three weeks from now I’ll still be walking ice. But at ice out weighted shad rap can smoke em’ Set my non boater up with a jointed shad rap weighted firetiger an he won the tournament and kicked my butt. My spinning rod my real to boot. And I still had a great day.

Randy do you really use solar bat sunglasses, and if you do what style how much . Thank you

Hey Randy I was at Bait-wrx a couple of days ago looking for that Flap slap crankbait and they didn't have it, is there anywhere else that carries it here in Springfield?

I like to use a 20lb braid to 8lb fluro. 😉

The shad rap, I noticed red finger nail polish in the pitcher. Something you would recommend or was it situational?

I love all your videos but I’m not getting all of them , can u tell me what I can do to get all of your videos ?

So could you weight the front under the bill an turn a regular 5-8 diving crank into a deep diving crank? Anyone ever do that?

Been waiting for the clear ones to he invented..lol

All my Rapalas are sinking. Just count to 5 or 10 depending how deep I want to go.

Randy, you use seaguar line mostly, what knot do you use on your baits with flouro?

Agree, lost art form

Megabass giveaway still happening? Did we miss it?

Forgotten? I never knew I'm an amateur

Mr.Randy did I say something wrong to you cause I’m not getting all your videos , I’m subscribed , but I did not get this video today ? I don’t understand why ?

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