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Strike King · Shallow Diving Crankbaits
Strike King Hybrid Hunter Shallow Jr., 1/2 oz, Gold/Black Back
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Options
- Item weight
- 0.5 Ounces
Quick take
Shallow diving crankbait with extra buoyancy and loud rattle for active grass and shallow cover.
The Jr. version of this shallow crankbait is a 3-inch, half-ounce bait in a gold finish with a black back. It carries a rattle and an L-shaped bill, a compact option for bass anglers working shallow cover.
Best for
- Fishing shallow vegetation and submerged grass
- Around wood and rock cover in shallow water
- Clear water where visibility helps trigger strikes
Skip if
- You are fishing deep water or open structure
- You need a lure that sinks or suspends
Strengths
- Extra buoyancy allows faster rise out of vegetation
- Performs as traditional crankbait, jerkbait, or topwater
- Loud rattle and hunting action deflect off cover
Trade-offs
- Treble hooks can snag easily in heavy grass or brush
- Extra buoyancy means it floats on pause unlike standard crankbaits
- Loud rattle may be too aggressive for clear water and pressured fish
Fishing fit
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
Facts
| Length | 3 in |
|---|---|
| Lure weight | 1/2 oz |
| Rattle | Yes |
| Color | Gold/Black Back |
| Color family | Gold |
Which one should I pick?
Choose the version by the depth you need to reach, then choose the color by water clarity.
| Version | Length | Lure weight | Rattle | Minimum diving depth | Maximum diving depth | Color | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Shallow Jr., 1/2 oz, Gold/Black Back | Length:3 in | Lure weight:1/2 oz | Rattle:Yes | Minimum diving depth:— | Maximum diving depth:— | Color:Gold/Black Back | Suits:Stained water, bass and walleye |
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Shallow Jr., 1/2 oz, Green Gizzard Shad | Length:3 in | Lure weight:1/2 oz | Rattle:Yes | Minimum diving depth:— | Maximum diving depth:— | Color:Green Gizzard Shad | Suits:Clear and stained water, bass and walleye |
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Shallow Jr. Crankbait, 3.5 in, 1 oz | Length:3.5 in | Lure weight:1 oz | Rattle:Yes | Minimum diving depth:1 ft | Maximum diving depth:3 ft | Color:Chartreuse with Black Back | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), stained and muddy water, bass, walleye and pike & musky |
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Shallow Jr., 1 oz, Green Gizzard Shad | Length:3.5 in | Lure weight:1 oz | Rattle:Yes | Minimum diving depth:1 ft | Maximum diving depth:3 ft | Color:Green Gizzard Shad | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), clear and stained water, bass, walleye and pike & musky |
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Shallow Jr. Crankbait, 1 oz, Smooth | Length:3.5 in | Lure weight:1 oz | Rattle:Yes | Minimum diving depth:1 ft | Maximum diving depth:3 ft | Color:Smooth | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft), bass, walleye and pike & musky |
How it compares
| Product | Length | Lure weight | Rattle | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Shallow Jr., 1/2 oz, Gold/Black Back | Length:3 in | Lure weight:1/2 oz | Rattle:Yes | Color:Gold/Black Back |
| Strike King Hybrid Hunter Jr, 1/2oz, Oyster | Length:3 in | Lure weight:1/2 oz | Rattle:Yes | Color:Oyster |
| Headbanger Cranky Shad Crankbait, 1/3 oz, 3 in, Ghost Shad | Length:3 in | Lure weight:0.333 oz | Rattle:Yes | Color:Ghost Shad |
| Dynamic Lures HD Trout Crankbait, 2.25 in, 0.1 oz | Length:2.25 in | Lure weight:0.1 oz | Rattle:Yes | Color:Gold Natural |
| Bomber Model A Crankbait, 5/16 oz, Chartreuse Shad | Length:2.125 in | Lure weight:5/16 oz | Rattle:Yes | Color:Chartreuse Shad |
| Rapala Dives-To 06 Crankbait, 2 in, 3/8 oz, Perch | Length:2 in | Lure weight:3/8 oz | Rattle:Yes | Color:Hot Mustard |
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 gold pattern flashes in stained and tea-colored water and on dark days. Crankbaits are often fished in spring and fall, when fish are feeding on baitfish.
- Season
- Spring
- Fall
- Water
- Pond
- Lake
- Reservoir
- River
- Clarity
- Stained
- Light
- Overcast
- Low light
- Water temperature
- Cool (50 to 60°F)
- Warm (60 to 75°F)
- Fished from
- Bank
- Boat
- Kayak
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 |
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 Shad | 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. |
|
| Blue Craw, Delta Red, Fire Craw | Matches crawfish in cold to cool, stained water early in the season. |
|
| Gold/Black BackThis one | Flashes in stained, tea-colored water and on dark days. |
|
Size
| Options | When to pick it | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 ozThis one | Casts farther and handles wind and bigger fish. | — |
| 1 oz | A big profile for pike, musky and striped bass in big water. |
|
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.
Updated