The Importance of Tuning Crankbaits

By: FishUSA Staff

May 14, 2025

Fishing with an untuned crankbait is a lot like trying to eat soup with a fork—you might get a little, but it’s messy, inefficient, and frustrating. Just as the right tool makes a big difference at the dinner table, having a properly tuned crankbait can make or break your day on the water.

What Does It Mean to Tune a Crankbait?

How Crankbaits Get Out of Tune

Why Tuning Matters

How to Tune a Crankbait

How Often Should You Check Crankbait Tuning?

Final Thoughts

What Does It Mean to Tune a Crankbait?

A tuned crankbait runs straight when pulled through the water. It dives consistently in the intended direction and mimics the natural swimming action of prey. An untuned crankbait, on the other hand, may veer off to one side, wobble erratically, or fail to reach its target depth. This makes it less effective at attracting fish and can even cause tangles in your fishing line or with other lures.

How Crankbaits Get Out of Tune

Several common factors can throw a crankbait out of tune:

Rough water: Waves and chop can jerk the lure in unexpected directions, bending the eye-tie slightly.
High-speed retrieves or trolling: Pulling the bait too quickly can twist or shift the hardware, especially on more delicate or lightweight lures.
Snagging and unhooking: Forcibly pulling a crankbait out of cover or a snag can misalign the eye-tie or bill.

Why Tuning Matters

A crankbait that doesn’t run straight won’t perform correctly. Instead of imitating a wounded baitfish, it might look unnatural to predators—causing nearby fish to spook rather than strike. Even worse, an erratic crankbait can interfere with other lines, especially when trolling multiple rods.

Properly tuned crankbaits allow you to:

Maintain control over lure depth and path
Maximize the effectiveness of your retrieve or trolling pattern
Keep multiple rods or lures from tangling
Increase hook-up rates with realistic presentations

How to Tune a Crankbait

Tuning a crankbait is quick and easy using either needle nose pliers or a purpose-built tool like the Off Shore Tackle EZ Crankbait Tuner tool. The process involves making small adjustments to the metal eyelet (eye-tie) where your line connects to the bait.

Shop Off Shore Tackle OR40 EZ Crankbait Tuner

Steps to Tune a Crankbait:

Retrieve the crankbait and observe its path. Does it pull left, right, or track straight?
If the bait veers to the left, gently bend the eye-tie to the right.
If it veers to the right, bend the eye-tie slightly to the left.
Make tiny adjustments and re-test after each one. Over-correcting can cause the bait to veer in the opposite direction.

Always test your crankbait in the water before fishing to confirm it’s running true.

How Often Should You Check Crankbait Tuning?

Many anglers assume tuning is a one-time task, but lures can fall out of alignment over time. It's good practice to check your crankbaits:

After catching multiple fish
After hitting rocks, timber, or other structure
After heavy trolling sessions
Before every trip to ensure peak performance

Final Thoughts

Adding a crankbait tuning tool to your tackle box is one of the easiest ways to improve your efficiency and success on the water. Whether you're trolling for walleye or casting for bass, a properly tuned lure is essential for consistent performance.

Don't leave bites behind due to a simple mistake. Check your gear regularly, tune your crankbaits often, and fish with confidence knowing your lures are doing exactly what they’re supposed to do.

Happy fishing—and tight lines!

Shop Fishing Gear & Tackle

Fishing Rods

Fishing Reels

Baits & Lures

Line, Hooks & Terminal

Equipment & Gear