Strike King · Squarebill Crankbaits
Strike King Hybrid Hunter Jr Crankbait, 1/2 oz
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Options
- Item weight
- 14.2 g
- Product dimensions
- 1 x 1 x 1 inches
Quick take
A 1/2 oz crankbait with an L-shaped bill that hunts side to side and produces a loud rattle on every retrieve.
The Strike King Hybrid Hunter Jr is a 3-inch, 1/2 oz squarebill crankbait with an L-shaped bill that gives a hard thumping action. It runs about 2 to 4 feet deep and carries a loud rattle, which suits shallow cover and grass edges. The Sweet Shad finish offers a natural baitfish look for anglers working these areas.
Best for
- Bass in shallow to moderate water
- Fast-paced fishing with frequent casts
- Murky water where sound attracts fish
Skip if
- You fish clear water where aggressive presentation spooks fish
- You need a bait that dives deep; this runs only 1-5 feet
Strengths
- The L-shaped bill creates an exaggerated hunting action not seen in standard crankbaits
- Loud rattle system triggers aggressive strikes from competitive fish
- Flat-sided body shape helps it deflect off cover without hanging up
Trade-offs
- The aggressive action and noise can spook cautious bass in clear water
- Designed for heavy line, so casting distance on light line is limited
- 1/2 oz weight limits use on lighter spinning setups
Fishing fit
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
Specifications
| Type | crankbait |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1/2 oz |
| Dive depth | 1-5 ft |
| Bill | L-shaped, 90-degree |
| Sound | Loud rattle |
| Eyes | Reflective 3D |
What can I catch with this?
At 1/2 oz, this crankbait is sized for bass and walleye.
- Bass
- Walleye
When and where to fish it
Its silver baitfish pattern suits clear to lightly stained water. Crankbaits are often fished in spring and fall, when fish are feeding on baitfish.
- Season
- Spring
- Fall
- Water
- Pond
- Lake
- Reservoir
- River
- Clarity
- Clear
- Stained
- Light
- Bright
- Overcast
- Water temperature
- Cool (50 to 60°F)
- Warm (60 to 75°F)
- Fished from
- Bank
- Boat
- Kayak
How to fish it
A crankbait with a square lip kicks away from wood and rock, so it is fished right through cover.
Deflecting off cover
- Cast past a stump, a laydown or a rock and reel the lure into it.
- Keep reeling as the lip hits; the lure kicks to the side and rights itself.
- Pause for a moment after each deflection, then carry on.
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
- Cover
- Wood
- Rock
What you need with it
A 1/2 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 1/2 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 |
What it imitates
Its silver baitfish pattern imitates shad.
- Shad
How to choose a color and size
Color
| Options | When to pick it | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Chartreuse Perch, Chartreuse with Black Back | Stands out in stained or muddy water and in low light. |
|
| Chrome Blue, Green Gizzard Shad, Sweet ShadThis one | Flashes like a baitfish in clear to lightly stained water. |
|
| Clearwater Minnow | Looks like real forage in clear water, where fish get a long look. |
|
| Gold / Black Back | Flashes in stained, tea-colored water and on dark days. |
|
Size
| Options | When to pick it | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 oz (Pack of 1)This one | Casts farther and handles wind and bigger fish. | — |
| 1 oz (Pack of 1) | A big profile for pike, musky and striped bass in big water. |
|
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 | Color | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Jr Crankbait, 1/2 oz, Clearwater Minnow | Lure weight:1/2 oz | Length:3 in | Color:Clearwater Minnow | Suits:Clear water, bass and walleye |
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Jr Crankbait, 1/2 oz | Lure weight:1/2 oz | Length:3 in | Color:Sweet Shad | Suits:Clear and stained 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 | 1/2 oz |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 in |
| Lip | Square |
| Rattle | Yes |
| Color | Sweet Shad |
| Color family | Shad and silver |
Common questions
How much does it weigh?
It weighs 1/2 oz.
How long is it?
It is 3 in long.
What color is this version?
This version is Sweet Shad.
Updated