Running true
A bait that swims straight and upright instead of veering to one side. A crankbait that runs off course will not go where you cast it.
Hard baits are tuned at the factory, and they come out of tune constantly. A fish, a rock, or a hard yank out of a snag bends the wire line tie a fraction and the bait starts tracking left or right. You will notice it as a lure that pulls to one side, runs shallower than it should, and misses the cover you aimed at.
The fix takes seconds. Watch which way it veers, then bend the line tie gently in the opposite direction with pliers. Small movements. Test, adjust, test again.
Checking is easy in clear water: reel the bait back slowly beside you where you can see it. In stained water, feel is the tell, since a bait out of tune loses that even beat against the rod.
Tune a crankbait after any fish and after any hard snag. Most people never do it and quietly fish an off-course lure all day.
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Running true is one of 206 terms in the glossary.
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