BY MARK ROMANACK
The Off Shore Tackle OR40 EZ Crankbait Tuner is unlike any device ever produced to help anglers tune their crankbaits. Designed with both off set jaws and an adjustable slip clutch, the OR40 is infinitely adjustable making it the perfect tool for tuning all sizes, brands and models of crankbaits.
A properly running or “tuned” crankbait dives straight down in the water and enjoys maximum action and also maximum diving depth. Unfortunately, many crankbaits are not properly tuned when new in the package and even if a crankbait is tuned when new, normal use will eventually cause the bait to get knocked out of tune.
Anglers who routinely fish with crankbaits understand the need to tune their lures regularly to keep these lures catching fish consistently. Lures that are running right of center will need the pull point bent slightly to the left. Baits that are running to the left of center will need the pull point bent to the right.
Adjusting or tuning a crankbait is a trial and error process and it routinely takes several adjustments to get a bait running straight. Unfortunately, not every angler has the patience to tune crankbaits properly and as a result many anglers are casting and trolling with baits that are badly out of tune and nearly useless as fish catching tools.
The OR40 is specially designed with an offset jaw that makes gripping the pull point on a crankbait easy. To make an adjustment, begin by squeezing the jaws together to set the clutch mechanism, then open the jaws and place the long jaw on the diving lip of the bait and the short jaw on the wire pull point or eye tie molded into the lure’s lip. By gently squeezing the handle, pressure is applied directly to the pull point. (The OR40 adjustable slip clutch design allows the angler to customize how much pressure is applied to the wire pull point). When pressure is applied to the pull point, the clutch allows the jaw to pop open. The amount of pressure controlling the clutch is adjusted by tightening or loosening a thumb screw holding the jaws of the OR40 together. When the handle is squeezed an audible click occurs that tells you the slip clutch on the jaws is functioning. Before going to make another adjustment, ALWAYS RESET the clutch by squeezing the jaws back together and try again. Detailed instructions with diagrams are available on our website at www.offshoretackle.com under the Instruction Sheets tab.
The goal of the OR40 is to apply just enough pressure to the wire pull point to make small and incremental adjustments. Each time an adjustment is made, cast the lure again to see how adjusting the wire pull point has influenced the lure.
After a few adjustments the crankbait should be diving straight into the water and is ready for either casting or trolling. Tuning crankbaits is one of those jobs no one looks forward to, but the job is essential to keeping crankbaits running true and catching fish.
Off Shore’s OR40 EZ Crankbait Tuner takes the guess work out of tuning a crankbait.
