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Cotton Cordell · Shallow Diving Crankbaits
Cotton Cordell Ripplin' Red-Fin Crankbait, 3/8 oz, Whitefish
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Quick take
A 4 1/2 in shallow-diving crankbait available in 14 proven color patterns for freshwater bass.
Best for
- Shallow structure and flats
- Standard crankbait presentations
- Community lakes and public waters
Skip if
- You need to fish deep
- You require heavy-duty construction
Strengths
- Multiple proven color patterns cover various conditions
- 3/8 oz weight suits light spinning or baitcasting
Trade-offs
- Shallow diving depth limits effectiveness in deeper water
- Standard construction compared to modern designs
- Color variants may perform differently in different light
Fishing fit
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
What can I catch with this?
At 3/8 oz, this crankbait is sized for bass and walleye.
- Bass
- Walleye
When and where to fish it
Crankbaits are often fished in spring and fall, when fish are feeding on baitfish.
- Season
- Spring
- Fall
- Water
- Pond
- Lake
- Reservoir
- River
- Water temperature
- Cool (50 to 60°F)
- Warm (60 to 75°F)
- Fished from
- Bank
- Boat
- Kayak
How to fish it
This floating crankbait rises when you stop reeling, which makes a stop-and-go retrieve work.
Stop and go
- Crank the lure down with several fast turns.
- Stop for a second and let the lure rise slowly.
- Repeat all the way back to the bank or boat.
How deep and around what
At 3/8 oz it runs to 3 ft, shallow enough to tick the tops of submerged grass and bump shallow wood.
- Surface
- Shallow (to 5 ft) (this product)
- Mid (5 to 12 ft)
- Deep (12 to 25 ft)
- Very deep (over 25 ft)
- Maximum diving depth
- 3 ft
- Depth zone
- Shallow (to 5 ft)
- Cover
- Grass
- Wood
What you need with it
A 3/8 oz crankbait is usually fished with a casting rod, a baitcasting reel and 10 to 14 lb fluorocarbon line.
- Casting rodsA medium-power rod with a moderate action keeps the hooks pinned on a steady retrieve.
- Baitcasting reelsA slower gear ratio makes a steady cranking pace easier to hold.
- Fluorocarbon lineSinks, so the lure reaches its depth; 10 to 14 lb for this weight.
Pairs with
A 3/8 oz lure pairs with a medium-power, moderate-action rod made for 1/4 to 5/8 oz lures and with 10 to 14 lb line.
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Rod power | Medium |
| Rod action | Moderate |
| Rod lure weight | 1/4 to 5/8 oz |
| Line test | 10 to 14 lb |
How to choose a color and size
Color
| Options | When to pick it | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Chartreuse Minnow, Chartreuse Perch, Gold/Orange | Stands out in stained or muddy water and in low light. |
|
| Fire Tiger | A loud pattern that shows up in stained and muddy water under cloud. |
|
| Chrome Black Back, Chrome Blue Back, Cold Water Shad | Flashes like a baitfish in clear to lightly stained water. |
|
| Yellow Perch | Looks like real forage in clear water, where fish get a long look. |
|
| Black Ayu | Shows a solid outline in muddy water, at dusk and at night. |
|
Which one should I pick?
Choose the version by the depth you need to reach, then choose the color by water clarity.
| Version | Lure weight | Length | Maximum diving depth | Color | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton Cordell Ripplin' Red-Fin Crankbait, 3/8 oz, Chrome Blue Back | Lure weight:3/8 oz | Length:4.5 in | Maximum diving depth:3 ft | Color:Chrome Blue Back | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), clear and stained water, bass and walleye |
| Cotton Cordell Ripplin' Red-Fin Crankbait, 3/8 oz, Gold/Orange | Lure weight:3/8 oz | Length:4.5 in | Maximum diving depth:3 ft | Color:Gold/Orange | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), stained and muddy water, bass and walleye |
| Cotton Cordell Ripplin' Red-Fin Crankbait, 4 1/2 in, 3/8 oz | Lure weight:3/8 oz | Length:4.5 in | Maximum diving depth:3 ft | Color:Mad Clown | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), bass and walleye |
| Cotton Cordell Ripplin' Red-Fin Crankbait, 3/8 oz, Whitefish | Lure weight:3/8 oz | Length:4.5 in | Maximum diving depth:3 ft | Color:Whitefish | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), bass and walleye |
| Cotton Cordell Ripplin' Red-Fin Crankbait, 3/8 oz, Yellow Perch | Lure weight:3/8 oz | Length:4.5 in | Maximum diving depth:3 ft | Color:Yellow Perch | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), clear water, bass and walleye |
About this type
A crankbait is a hard-bodied lure that wobbles on a steady retrieve; most have a lip that sets how deep they run.
On a lipped bait, a bigger or steeper lip usually sends it deeper.
Most lipped crankbaits float at rest and dive when reeled, so a pause lets the lure back up and away from a snag.
Compared with Jerkbaits: A jerkbait is worked with twitches and pauses and often suspends or floats; a crankbait is reeled.
Facts
| Lure weight | 3/8 oz |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.5 in |
| Maximum diving depth | 3 ft |
| Buoyancy | Floating |
| Color | Whitefish |
Common questions
How deep does it run?
It runs to a maximum depth of 3 ft.
Does it float or sink?
It is a floating lure.
How much does it weigh?
It weighs 3/8 oz.
How long is it?
It is 4.5 in long.
What color is this version?
This version is Whitefish.
Updated