Deep Diving Crank Help

[J.Bass]

First off, Happy New Year all.  My question is what deep crankbait series should I get? Also what colors work for you?   I've noticed bomber's are talked a lot on here. I really like the "Bomber® Bill Dance Signature Series Hardbaits - Fat Free Shad."  Are these any good? What's better the regular fat free shad or the bomber fat free shad signature series kind?

   I want one for each specific depth. 6 to 7 ft, 9 to 10 ft, 15 ft, and 18 ft. These are the depths I usually fish. Your help is appreciated.

[The Pennsylvania Kid]

I dont fish bombers just Rapala DT series and they make plenty of good shad colors, craw colors, and some signature colors created by Mike Iaconelli. They'll meet your diving depths.....  as far as durability and running true they are a great crank.

[J.Bass]

I dont fish bombers just Rapala DT series and they make plenty of good shad colors, craw colors, and some signature colors created by Mike Iaconelli. They'll meet your diving depths.....  as far as durability and running true they are a great crank.

I've own a few just looking to try something different. I agree they are a great crank. I'm wondering whats the best brand ya know? The best running crankbait. Like for squarebills I love strike king.

[Jack Fate]

First off, Happy New Year all.  My question is what deep crankbait series should I get? Also what colors work for you?   I've noticed bomber's are talked a lot on here. I really like the "Bomber® Bill Dance Signature Series Hardbaits - Fat Free Shad."  Are these any good? What's better the regular fat free shad or the bomber fat free shad signature series kind?

   I want one for each specific depth. 6 to 7 ft, 9 to 10 ft, 15 ft, and 18 ft. These are the depths I usually fish. Your help is appreciated.

 

I really love the Strike King line of crankbaits.  The 3XD, 5XD, and 6XD will take care of the 10-20ft range.  The 3 and 4 series will take care of the shallower 3-10 ft. depth. I use any of the Shad colors, Sexy Shad, Citrus Shad, Sexy Chartreuse Shad,  Gizzard Shad etc.  I have a couple of other colors I use but can't remember what they are but I don't use them as much anyway. Also I have had good luck with the Bandit 200 series crankbaits for the 4-8 ft depth range. However I have really started to use Strike KIng almost exclusively. 

[martintheduck]

Norman dd-22's is all I use for the deepest divers. In 14ftish of water I stick to KVD series. 

 

 

I'm a huge fan of dd-22's because of their quality straight out of the package. 

[The Pennsylvania Kid]

Well I think as far as what you think is the best brand is more of a personal preference and what works for you to be honest......Strike King, Rapala they're all good crankbaits just depends on what your personal preference is.

[Todd2]

Norman is my favorite. Sometimes a Rapala Jointed Shad, worked in short sweeps and pauses is the ticket around here.

[papajoe222]

I prefer the Norman and Bandit baits for their bouyancy.  The Deep Little N is a killer up here because of its smaller profile.  The Rapala DT series and the Fat Free Shads better suit me in the cold water months leading up to the spawn. They're a little less bouyant and will stay in the strike zone during a short pause of your retrieve.

[flyfisher]

I like the Rapala DT series for all the depths.  I especially like their square bills and shallow clack n cranks

[Bluebasser86]

I really love the Strike King line of crankbaits.  The 3XD, 5XD, and 6XD will take care of the 10-20ft range.  The 3 and 4 series will take care of the shallower 3-10 ft. depth. I use any of the Shad colors, Sexy Shad, Citrus Shad, Sexy Chartreuse Shad,  Gizzard Shad etc.  I have a couple of other colors I use but can't remember what they are but I don't use them as much anyway. Also I have had good luck with the Bandit 200 series crankbaits for the 4-8 ft depth range. However I have really started to use Strike KIng almost exclusively. 

The Strike King series are great to cover all depths from top to bottom. Series 3 for the 6-7 foot range, 3XD or Series 4 for 9-10 foot range, Series 5 and 6 for the 15 foot range, Series 5XD or 6XD for the 18 foot range.

The Bomber Fat Free Shads are great baits also and so are their Model A's and Fat A's. 

[grizzly1654]

I am a big fan of the bandit crankbaits.

[mikeeasttn]

I use most of the good brand cranks.  The rapala, bombers, Norman, Strike King, Poes, and a few more.  All the cranks have different actions in the water and sometimes it seems that the fish will want one over the others.  Especially in winter they seem to hit the cedar baits such as Poes better than the plastic baits.  Also there have been times when they would not hit a bomber model A but will hit the fat free Bill Dance bomber the best.

[Munkin]

Owning just about every brand mentioned my favorite for the past couple of years is SK 5 series. Silent gizzard shad for clear water and something with chart. in it for darker water. For some reason wooden cranks just do not work very well for me.

 

Allen

[J.Bass]

Owning just about every brand mentioned my favorite for the past couple of years is SK 5 series. Silent gizzard shad for clear water and something with chart. in it for darker water. For some reason wooden cranks just do not work very well for me.

 

Allen

I agree on this term. I agree with I like the SK silents. I think I'll try some SK's since I've used the Squarebill SK's.

 

I prefer the Norman and Bandit baits for their bouyancy.  The Deep Little N is a killer up here because of its smaller profile.  The Rapala DT series and the Fat Free Shads better suit me in the cold water months leading up to the spawn. They're a little less bouyant and will stay in the strike zone during a short pause of your retrieve.

That's a good tip. I usually fish 10 ft of water and sometimes a little deeper.

Well I think as far as what you think is the best brand is more of a personal preference and what works for you to be honest......Strike King, Rapala they're all good crankbaits just depends on what your personal preference is.

Yeah after I read your post I came to thought of getting some SK's because of the fact I love how the squarebills run true and have great action, I think I'll try the SK's before venturing out to the norman and bandit baits. I think it's hard to say which one is the best from everyones personal preference each love how each one works and a bass in each area of each region love different presentations. Thanks all for your help.

Norman dd-22's is all I use for the deepest divers. In 14ftish of water I stick to KVD series. 

 

 

I'm a huge fan of dd-22's because of their quality straight out of the package. 

I love quality. I'll be keeping these lures in my list for the future.

The Strike King series are great to cover all depths from top to bottom. Series 3 for the 6-7 foot range, 3XD or Series 4 for 9-10 foot range, Series 5 and 6 for the 15 foot range, Series 5XD or 6XD for the 18 foot range.

The Bomber Fat Free Shads are great baits also and so are their Model A's and Fat A's. 

I agree blue and pen kid that go with what is working for me. I'll stick to SK cranks since they have worked. I did like the bomber's and norman cranks sound like they are great too. Thanks all.

[aavery2]

Norman DD22, Spro Little John DD, 6th Sense 300DD, Strike King 6XD, there are a lot of others but these are easy to find and work well in most situations.

[tbone1993]

Spro little john baits are awesome if you are looking for a bait with good hooks out of the box. 

[A-Jay]

Norman DD22, Spro Little John DD, 6th Sense 300DD, Strike King 6XD, there are a lot of others but these are easy to find and work well in most situations.

 

X2 ~

 

These are All Baits I have had very good success with.

 

A-Jay