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HEADBANGER · Shallow Diving Crankbaits
Headbanger Cranky Shad Crankbait, 1/3 oz, 3 in, Ghost Shad
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Options
- Product dimensions
- 4.9 x 2 x 0.9 inches
Quick take
Slow-sinking crankbait with patented erratic side-to-side action mimicking distressed fish.
The Ghost Shad in 3 inches is a slow-sinking crankbait with a round lip that runs between 1 and 5 feet deep. Internal rattle balls add a low-frequency vibration, and its ghost shad finish suits anglers working shallow flats, rocks and submerged cover for bass, walleye and pike.
Best for
- Shallow water cover
- Twitching and pausing retrieves
- Multiple freshwater species
Skip if
- You fish deep water
- You need fast-sinking action
Strengths
- Patented erratic action triggers strikes
- Available in multiple sizes
- Durable wire-through construction
Trade-offs
- Action requires active technique
- Slow sink rate limits depth coverage
- Headbanging not ideal for all conditions
Fishing fit
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
- Skill level
- Intermediate
What can I catch with this?
At 0.333 oz, this crankbait is sized for bass, crappie and trout.
- Bass
- Trout
- Crappie
When and where to fish it
Its see-through pattern suits clear water in bright light. Crankbaits are often fished in spring and fall, when fish are feeding on baitfish.
- Season
- Spring
- Fall
- Water
- Pond
- Lake
- Reservoir
- River
- Clarity
- Clear
- Light
- Bright
- Water temperature
- Cool (50 to 60°F)
- Warm (60 to 75°F)
- Fished from
- Bank
- Boat
- Kayak
How to fish it
Crankbaits are usually fished on a steady retrieve that keeps the lure near the bottom or the cover.
Steady cranking
- Cast past the target and point the rod tip down toward the water.
- Reel at a steady medium pace until the lure reaches its depth.
- Keep it ticking the bottom or the cover, and pause when it deflects.
How deep and around what
At 0.333 oz it runs to 5 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
- 5 ft
- Depth zone
- Shallow (to 5 ft)
- Cover
- Grass
- Wood
What you need with it
A 0.333 oz crankbait is usually fished with a spinning rod, a spinning reel and 6 to 10 lb line.
- Spinning rodsA medium-light rod with a moderate action casts a light lure and keeps small hooks pinned.
- Spinning reelsA spinning reel handles light line without backlash.
- Monofilament lineStretches, which keeps the hooks pinned; 6 to 10 lb for this weight.
Pairs with
A 0.333 oz lure pairs with a medium-light or medium rod with a moderate action and with 6 to 10 lb line.
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Rod power | Medium light or medium |
| Rod action | Moderate |
| Rod lure weight | 1/8 to 1/2 oz |
| Line test | 6 to 10 lb |
What it imitates
Its see-through pattern imitates minnows, and shad in clear water.
- Shad
- Minnow
How to choose a color and size
Color
| Options | When to pick it | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Black/Orange | Stands out in stained or muddy water and in low light. |
|
| Firetiger | A loud pattern that shows up in stained and muddy water under cloud. |
|
| Ghost ShadThis one | Gives a see-through baitfish look in clear water and bright sun. |
|
| Natural Shad, Sexy Shad | Flashes like a baitfish in clear to lightly stained water. |
|
| Bluegill, Natural Perch, UV Bream, Yellow Perch | Looks like real forage in clear water, where fish get a long look. |
|
| Sunburst Craw | Matches crawfish in cold to cool, stained water early in the season. |
|
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 | Hook size | Color | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headbanger Cranky Shad, 2.5-5 in | Lure weight:0.333 oz | Length:3 in | Hook size:#6 & #8 | Color:Bluegill | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), clear water, bass, trout and crappie |
| Headbanger Cranky Shad Crankbait, 1/3 oz, 3 in, Ghost Shad | Lure weight:0.333 oz | Length:3 in | Hook size:#6 & #8 | Color:Ghost Shad | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), clear water, bass, trout and crappie |
| Headbanger Cranky Shad Crankbait, 1/3 oz, 3 in, Yellow Perch | Lure weight:0.333 oz | Length:3 in | Hook size:#6 & #8 | Color:Yellow Perch | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), clear water, bass, trout and crappie |
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 | 0.333 oz |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 in |
| Minimum diving depth | 1 ft |
| Maximum diving depth | 5 ft |
| Buoyancy | Slow sinking |
| Lip | Round |
| Rattle | Yes |
| Hook size | #6 & #8 |
| Color | Ghost Shad |
| Color family | Translucent |
Common questions
How deep does it run?
It runs to a maximum depth of 5 ft.
Does it float or sink?
It is a slow sinking lure.
How much does it weigh?
It weighs 0.333 oz.
How long is it?
It is 3 in long.
What color is this version?
This version is Ghost Shad.
Updated