Willard Is Not Over Yet

[Paddler]

I've tried running both cranks and bouncers so far back I'm practically down to the reel spool. Nada. (Yeah, my wrist does get pretty tired and sore holding that rod.) I'm doing SOMETHING wrong, obviously. Just don't know what.

Do you have line counter reels?  I used to run Ambaseur 5500C reels before I got my Daiwa line counters.  I measured the line out per rotation, one full pass of the level wind worked out to 16'.  It worked fine but the Daiwas are so much easier.

I don't think your doing anything wrong.  I fished for three hours on Monday with different cranks without a bite except for two catfish.  They wanted Hot-N-Tots, and once I stared using them I caught about 3 fish per hour, even a slow double.

Planer boards offer the flexibility of running any crank from sub surface to maximun running depth.  Without them I think you should probably run your baits at least 100' back, maybe 120' on flat water.  SR5's and SR7s should produce for you most days.  Just not every day.