5". Maximum Profile. Patented Erratic Headbanger Action. Removable Action Lip. Shallow Sinking (1–6 ft). Built for Trophy Pike & Musky.
The Headbanger Cranky Shad 5" is the maximum-profile Cranky Shad — the edgy, erratic, evasive side-to-side Headbanger action at full size with a deep, low-frequency vibration that displaces serious water. Built for trophy pike and musky that have seen everything. A removable Action Lip lets you tune on the water: keep it in for the full erratic action, or pull it out for a calmer, shallower glide in cold or clear conditions. Fishes the 1–6 ft zone. Fitted with heavy VMC 7548 #1/0 trebles. Available in 15 colors.
Key Features
Patented Action Lip — drives the erratic, evasive side-to-side Headbanger action at maximum 5" scale; removable on the water to convert to a calmer gliding presentation for cold water and pressured fish
5" Maximum Profile — serious water displacement and a big-bait presence impossible for trophy pike and musky to ignore; built for fish that have seen every standard lure in the system
Shallow Running Zone (1–6 ft) — the 5" version fishes shallower than the 4" model; ideal over shallow flats, weed points, and near-surface structure where big pike hunt
Rattle Balls — internal rattle generates sound to draw fish from distance and trigger reaction strikes
Holographic Foils Under Transparent Body Paint — lifelike flash and depth visible through the body; effective in all light conditions
Heavy VMC 7548 #1/0 Trebles — trophy-grade hardware for maximum strength on big pike and musky
Straight Retrieve (Action Lip In) — steady retrieve produces the full erratic side-to-side Headbanger action; cover shallow flats, weed edges, and points where trophy pike stage and ambush prey
Pause & Twitch — add deliberate pauses and sharp rod twitches to trigger following fish; the slow-sink design keeps it in the 1–6 ft zone during pauses rather than dropping out of the strike zone
Glide Mode (Action Lip Removed) — pull the Action Lip for a calmer, shallower-running glide; the go-to in cold water, post-front conditions, and when fish are pressured and want a more subtle presentation
Troll — effective trolled along weed lines, points, and shallow flats; weight or downrig to extend the depth range beyond 6 ft for suspended fish
Color Selection — Natural Perch, Spotted Bullhead, and Bluegill for forage matching; Sexy Shad, Ghost Shad, and Natural Shad for shad fisheries; Firetiger, Goldhead, and Glitter Pike in stained water or overcast; UV Bream for UV-active conditions; Black/Orange and Red/Black for low-light and night
