Deep Diving Crankbaits

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Russ Baker on January 11, 2010 at 7:35pm

Jackal and Bandit make some real good deep divers as well.

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on January 11, 2010 at 7:44pm

Normans DD22

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on January 11, 2010 at 9:57pm

With these deep divers do you guys all run 5:1 reels or slower? I don't have a reel slower than 6.2:1 and I was thinking of getting a reel that is 5:1.

Permalink Reply by Tom Edwards on January 11, 2010 at 10:00pm

Just reel slower. I do.

P.J. Koshi said:

With these deep divers do you guys all run 5:1 reels or slower? I don't have a reel slower than 6.2:1 and I was thinking of getting a reel that is 5:1.

Permalink Reply by Chad Simon on January 12, 2010 at 6:55am

First off when fishing dd cranks, it's very important to have the right rod! You wan't something with a moderate fast parabolic action. If not using the right rod, you will never get a good hook set, and lose a lot of fish. When setting the hook on a dd crank, I would compare it to setting the hook on a drop shot. You don't wan't to jerk to hard, just a nice easy sweep. The rod I use is a Loomis CBR845C. I also use a 5:1 reel. Norman, Luhr Jenson, and Lucky Craft all make good plugs. Remember a smaller line diameter will allow you to get down deeper. I use 8lb test for open water, and no more then 12lb test! Use a line with a little flex like a copolymer.

Permalink Reply by P.J. Koshi on January 12, 2010 at 9:07am

I am saving up for a Loomis Medium Crankbait series rod Chad... That might be a little while though, but I guess what I am hearing is the Norman DD is a favorite and it is just a $5 dollar plug. I really like the middle Normans, so it is no surprise you all like their DD plugs too. I think I have decided to try the Spro DD in the Firetiger color, the Crawcrank in the orange/brown color, and the Norman in the chili bowl color. THANKS Guys

Chad Simon said:

First off when fishing dd cranks, it's very important to have the right rod! You wan't something with a moderate fast parabolic action. If not using the right rod, you will never get a good hook set, and lose a lot of fish. When setting the hook on a dd crank, I would compare it to setting the hook on a drop shot. You don't wan't to jerk to hard, just a nice easy sweep. The rod I use is a Loomis CBR845C. I also use a 5:1 reel. Norman, Luhr Jenson, and Lucky Craft all make good plugs. Remember a smaller line diameter will allow you to get down deeper. I use 8lb test for open water, and no more then 12lb test! Use a line with a little flex like a copolymer.

Permalink Reply by BigBass Dez on January 12, 2010 at 9:09am

I like Normans N series suspend , River2sea 68&88 ,Bomber Flat A , Luckycraft CBD20 , ETC! As for colors I stick to Crawfish from brown to reds , chartreuse with blue back and black back , Aurora black , ghost shad , and good ol Sexy shad are some my basic colors (Not to mention custom colors) !! As Chad mentioned above Have a few reels with a 5:1 ratio is more important IMO than color at times . I mainly stick with a 7' med action fast tip with 8lb test mono ! or on my deep baits 10lb floro ! I always set my drag pretty light to absorb the impact of a angry 4lb smallie that wants to eat your bait right at the boat ..lol Cranking is something that i have a great deal of confidence in and it has paid off for me many times from postspwan - early fall !!! In my experience i have found also found that choosing the correct "LIP" for the particular structure you may encounter is key . For Rock i stick with coffin bills , for Wood i opt for a square Bill , By doing this you less likely to hand your baits up in snags but instead allow those cranks to slowly walk its way through just about anything . Discipline and Confidence are two areas i typically see anglers struggle with for cranking our lakes . I hear many guys say that all they catch are dinks , some say you only need too crank in the spring time only , some say cranks are a waste of time . Well let me Boldy point out that once your dailed in with your cranking the proper way those hardbaits can at times allow for 5 cast that can produce 15-16lbs of smallie meat ! Lastly Cranking is no different than any other bait , It takes time to learn your cranks actions , depth , Retrieves Speed , and color ! I dont use my cranks as search bait Period !! When i make a cast i already have a clue as where the strike zone is majority of time ! Also I also know when to put down the hardbaits and go back to Plastics (depends on the area)... Okay thats my two cents on the topic , but pay me no mine im just a Rookie !! lol

DEZ

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on January 12, 2010 at 9:54am

I think Chad brings up a good point. Throwing these big cranks is not your normal type of cranking.
When it comes to deep cranking, other than location, your equipment - rod, line, reel are your most important considerations. Use the longest rod you have that will handle the weight of lure you are using. Most of the deeper diving big cranks like the DD22's, Poe's or Fat Free Shads are heavy lures, so a typically whippy medium-light or medium cranking rod is not the right choice. Don't be afraid to use a flipping stick or similar length/weight of rod for these lures. I know, I know...but just trust me you will want something closer in length and action to that than a traditional cranking rod. If it's too much rod, then back down a hair. Some rod manuf. make a 7-10 or 7-11 big cranking rod that is heavy in power and mod-fast in action. Same as a flipping stiick, just a little slower action.
8-12 lb fluorocarbon has plenty of stretch, but sinks and has better feel than mono - perfect for deep divers. 5:1 ratio reels will give you better feel.
You are going to try to throw these 100 yds. You won't but you should try. That mindset will make you rethink where to crank.
Location, equipment, then which color/model of crank.