Strike King · Squarebill Crankbaits
Strike King Hybrid Hunter Jr. Crankbait, 1/2 oz, Gold Craw
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Options
- Item weight
- 4.54 g
- Product dimensions
- 5 x 2 x 0.75 inches
Quick take
A shallow-running crankbait with an exaggerated hunting action and loud rattle suited to active bass in clear water.
The Strike King Hybrid Hunter Jr. in Gold Craw is a 1/2-ounce squarebill crankbait that floats and runs about 2 to 4 feet deep. Its loud internal rattle and fat, flat-sided body suit bass working the edges of grass, weeds and rocky cover in shallow water. Built for heavy line, it is a noisy option for anglers fishing close to shore.
Best for
- Shallow water 1-5 feet deep
- Clear water where bass see erratic action
- Fishing on heavy line and working it hard
Skip if
- You fish deep weed lines needing sustained depth
- You want a crankbait for ultra-light line
Strengths
- Fat body creates loud thumping action and hunting motion
- 90-degree bill forces sharp side-to-side movement
- Works like a jerkbait, lipless crankbait or swimbait
Trade-offs
- Loud rattle not suitable for clear, pressured water late season
- Treble hooks snag easily in wood and weeds
- Shallow dive range limits deeper structure fishing
Fishing fit
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
- Topwater
- Skill level
- Intermediate
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 craw or red pattern suits cold to cool, stained water in spring. Crankbaits are often fished in spring and fall, when fish are feeding on baitfish.
- Season
- Spring
- Fall
- Water
- Pond
- Lake
- Reservoir
- River
- Clarity
- Stained
- Water temperature
- Cold (under 50°F)
- 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 1/2 oz it runs to 4 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
- 4 ft
- Depth zone
- Shallow (to 5 ft)
- Cover
- Grass
- Wood
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 craw or red pattern imitates crawfish.
- Crawfish
How to choose a color and size
Color
| Options | When to pick it | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 534 - Citrus Shad | Stands out in stained or muddy water and in low light. |
|
| 457 - Ghost Purple, 922 - Ghost Gill, Ghost Herring | Gives a see-through baitfish look in clear water and bright sun. |
|
| 591 - Sexy Shad 2.0, 738 - Muh Knee Shad | Flashes like a baitfish in clear to lightly stained water. |
|
| 464 - Phantom Perch, 468 - Phantom Watermelon Seed Red Craw | Looks like real forage in clear water, where fish get a long look. |
|
| 648 - Chili Craw, 789 - Gold CrawThis one | 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 | Maximum diving depth | Color | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Jr. Crankbait, 1/2 oz, Size 4-6 Treble | Lure weight:1/2 oz | Maximum diving depth:4 ft | Color:347 - Tannic Gill | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), clear water, bass and walleye |
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Jr. Crankbait, 1/2 oz, Gold Craw | Lure weight:1/2 oz | Maximum diving depth:4 ft | Color:789 - Gold Craw | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), 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 |
|---|---|
| Minimum diving depth | 2 ft |
| Maximum diving depth | 4 ft |
| Buoyancy | Floating |
| Rattle | Yes |
| Color | Gold Craw |
| Color family | Craw and red |
| Target species | Bass |
Common questions
How deep does it run?
It runs to a maximum depth of 4 ft.
Does it float or sink?
It is a floating lure.
How much does it weigh?
It weighs 1/2 oz.
What color is this version?
This version is Gold Craw.
Updated