Holy Smokes this thing is HUGE!!!

[airborne_angler]

So I have been throwing small crankbaits lately(Fat Free Guppy,Fat Free Fry) ,just learning the ins and outs. Decided to expand my arsenal and purchased a new in the package Fat Free Shad.

Got it in the mail today and WOW this thing is GIANT compared to the other cranks. I know from a crankbait perspective it may not be all THAT big,but compared to the other cranks I mentioned above,its massive.

Is it really all that massive or is it just my eyes because im used to looking at those smaller cranks?

[mainebassin650]

It can't be that massive, cause I can't see it. 

[airborne_angler]

From top to bottom:

Suspending Fat Free Shad

Fat Free Guppy

Fat Free Fry

The white one is like 3/4 to 1 oz(depending on what website you go to),the one below it is 3/8 oz and the smallest one is 1/4 oz

The two lower ones in the pic are the ones I have been working with. Then this Goliath(upper most one) comes in the mail. Never expected it to be that size.

[DBatey]

BD7 size (like the white one) is a very popular deep diver, probably the only one thats more popular is the DD22 which is almost exactly that size. Takes a pretty big bait to get the long casts necessary to get to maximum depth and thats part of why they are big baits. The smaller baits you have there will not go nearly as deep as the white one does. Different tools for different applications, its a great bait though get that sucker wet!

[catchnm]

The BD7 is a great sumer bait. I agree, "get it wet". They are easy on the hands as far as cranking goes, move through the water column with ease, even at 14-18 ft. deep which is what they're rated for. Use mono line in about 12-15 lb. test and it will run at that depth. Use lighter line to run deeper and heavier to run a bit shallower. S-L-O-W is the key retrieve for me when  using these. I use a 5.1:1 ratio reel.

[Grey Wolf]

Usually the deeper you go , the bigger your crank gets.

[K_Mac]

That is why people who throw deep diving cranks often use lower speed reels; it takes some energy to move those big baits through the water. It is also a reason I am not a crankbait fan.

[Raul]

That is why people who throw deep diving cranks often use lower speed reels; it takes some energy to move those big baits through the water.

True and the crankbait fights more than the fish you are trying to catch with it.

[Goose52]

True and the crankbait fights more than the fish you are trying to catch with it.

You ain't kidding - I pulled my canoe from one end of a lake to the other, following the original creek channel, just by crankin' a DD22... ;D

[bass or bass ?]

Usually the deeper you go , the bigger your crank gets.

That's what she said!

[fourbizz]

Usually the deeper you go , the bigger your crank gets.

That's what she said!

;D

[jbass]

It is no fun throwing a DD22 with a 6.2:1 reel. Doesn't work, well it will but it will burn you out in a hurry. 7.5 foot rod, 5.3:1 reel and cast as far as you can. DD22's all day will make a man out of you.

[fishincop640]

I've had a lot of success throwing those crankbaits....they can def. make your hands and arms tired after awhile....I found that a 6ft 10in rod with a low gear ratio is the best for cranking.....ever try the kneel and reel?  It can really get the baits down deep.....gotta watch for rogue waves every now and then that nearly throw you off the boat!!!

[airborne_angler]

My cranking setup for now is a 6'6" Med-Hvy Rod with a 5:1 ratio Bass Pro Xps round baitcaster with 10# mono line. As stated,im just getting started on the cranking scene,ill upgrade my equipment once I feel comfortable that I can use cranks with success.

I really cant "kneel and reel" as Im fishing a 10ft Jon boat.

[Primus]

I prefer a 7'6" MH BPS Crankin' Stick with 12 lb Floro for my deep cranks. I used to use a 7' rod for these baits and the longer rod adds at least 10 -15 yards to the length of the cast which has greatly increased my success with these baits, this is because the bait is going to spend more time in the strike zone and run deeper. Airborne think of the Fat Free Guppy as a smaller crank and the BD7 & DD22 as standard cranks. Once you load the boat with the better grade of bass that these baits typically attract  you just might end up with dozens of them like I've accumulated.

Besides the baits already mentioned get a few of the Bandit 700 series ( esp. the Bluegill color)and the Strike King 6XD which is a bait that has really impresed me this season. If your willing to drop 15$ on a bait I highly reccomend the Jackall Muscle Deep 15 Plus which cast like a rocket, has a smaller profile and hits app 17' on a long cast with small diameter line. Good Luck.

[Vinny Chase]

Honestly, why does it matter? The bigger profile lip the deeper it is going to run. I prefer bigger cranks because they are going to produce bigger fish in most cases.

[airborne_angler]

I Have 6 of the series 6 Strike king cranks in Sexy Shad that im dying to try out.