Lucky Craft Flat CB MR ~ Medium-Running Crankbait

Model: Flat CB MR
Type: Floating/Diving Crankbait
Weight: 3/8 oz (10.5g)
Length: 2 1/2" (63mm) excluding lip
Factory Hooks: #4 VMC Black Nickel
Depth: Approx. 4-5 feet

When Lucky Craft was first finding success in the North American market, Lucky Craft shortly realized a difference exists between Japanese anglers who tend to use lighter tackle, smaller hooks and appreciate more delicate balance in lures versus North American anglers who use heavier tackle, prefer larger hooks and desire more lure stability than our Japanese counterparts. So Lucky Craft developed the Flat CB series (MR, DR, D-12, D-20) specifically tuned for the North American angler, with more stable actions and bigger hooks that could be fished on relatively heavier cranking gear.

Shallow-running and medium-running baits are always more popular than deep-divers. There are simply more places and situations where shallow or medium-divers can be used compared to deep-runners. So it's no surprise that the Flat CB MR (Medium Runner) is by far the most popular model in the Flat CB series. All the other Flat CB series models (DR, D12, D20) run deeper and are not as popular as the MR model.

I'd say the Flat CB MR works down around 5 feet more or less with 10 lb. test line, and can be used with 12 to 14 lb. test line, not getting quite as deep.

One of my favorite modifications with this lure is to replace the tail treble with a feathered one. I believe the feather enhances the movement and appearance of this particular bait. That's not the case with all crankbaits, but the Flat CB MR is one I routinely tag with a feather tail.

I like to use the Flat CB MR a lot like I use a lipless crank. It is stable and easy to crank at moderate to fast paces. Similar to a lipless crankbait, the Flat CB MR has a flat-sided body and a tight fast wriggle. The advantage is in snaggy areas, the Flat CB MR is not prone to get stuck as easily as a lipless. So I often go to the Flat CB MR whenever fish are whacking lipless crankbaits in shallow or flooded brush or snaggy areas where the lipless gets snagged often. It's great to slam the Flat CB MR through shallow rocks and boulder beds too. These are places that lipless baits get snagged fairly easily - but the Flat CB MR with a similar action, does not get snagged as much or as badly. It's diving bill serves to shield the hooks from snags, and if the Flat CB MR does get stuck, it's often the bill, not so much the hooks, that's jammed in a snag. So it can often be backed out of snags more easily than a lipless.

Color Considerations

The most popular colors across most every Lucky Craft product model are:

1. Chartreuse Shad. One of if not 'the' most popular Lucky Craft color. If you had to limit yourself to just one Lucky Craft color, Chartreuse Shad is the one.

2. Ghost Minnow. The most popular clear water color in the Lucky Craft line-up.

3. MS American Shad. One of the most beautiful of all Lucky Craft (or any other vendor's) colors. It is truly a special experience to fish with it. It is a high flash color for when fish want a lot of flash in a lure.

4. Aurora Black. Flashy yes, but much more subdued, and very popuular. In a separate class from, and not nearly as flashy as MS American Shad.

MS Herring is another of the most beautiful and fairly popular of all Lucky Craft colors. It is similar to MS American Shad in that they are both high flash colors. However, it is not available in every product model. MS Herring is not available in Bevy Shad 75, Moonsault CB-200, Moonsault CB-350, to name a few.

Lucky Craft Flat CB MR ~ Crankbait ~ Chartreuse Shad

Lucky Craft Flat CB MR ~ Crankbait ~ Ghost Minnow

Lucky Craft Flat CB MR ~ Crankbait ~ MS American Shad

Lucky Craft Flat CB MR ~ Crankbait ~ MS Herring

Lucky Craft Flat CB MR ~ Crankbait ~ Aurora Black