What Crankbait Use In 8-15Ft Of Water? Update * Solved*

[dfris]

Hi all,

 

Was wondering if I could get some advice on what type of crank bait to use. The Local lake I fish is a shallow lake to say the least. its only 21ft deep at the dam. So most of the water is in the 8-15ft range, minus the banks that are shallow. I throw a kvd 1.5 90% of the time, with some good results. The lake has grass all over it in the 10 ft range. The lake was actually drained down about 8 ft this week, to build a fishing pier, and I was able to get a good look and pics of the lake. Wow there is so much of the lake I didn't even realize was there. Even with a side imaging sonar I have, I didn't know ledges and rocks were in certain areas of this lake.

 

Anyways. So Now I know there are ledges past the ledges that I knew about, (think steps). what's a good crank bait to use to get down to this depths. I have used a strike king 3 series that is 10 ft in sexy shad, but have not caught the first fish with it, all year last year, yet iv caught several off the 1.5 sexy shad in that lake. The strike king 5, 6 x series I have a few of them but they have such a huge bill that it takes my 7'10' rod to use, and I don't really like to use that rod that much, because I have a small boat.

 

So what's some good crankbaits? I been reading about the bandits, and boomers. But I don't know what are good colors for clear waters? I have been using KVD 1.5 sexy shad, for day, and Char/black with night.

 

Open to all suggestions.

 

Thanks

[WhiteMike1018]

Dt 10-16

 

Sort of cant go wrong.

Also Randy Howell was throwing a DT6 in Demon color which accounted for a lot of his Day1 and Day2 bass at the classic.

 

He won..

[Catt]

Bill Norman DD14 or NXS

[flippin and pitchin]

I would add the Normans Deep Little N to Catt's list. The Luhr Jensen Hot Lips is a sleeper too.

[rbreedi1]

I like the rapala dt series

[gobig]

I am with Catt and Flippen, the dd14 and the deep little n are two of my favorites.

[tomustang]

BPS XPS Lazer eye deep diver

SK 5XD

Rapala DT

Bomber 7A

[SpencerLittle]

Strikeking and spro are my preferred companies to use.

[ww2farmer]

The Strike King 5xd is what I would use.

[frogflogger]

bandits are great little baits and reasonably priced - usually don't need tuning

[Felix77]

Another vote for the Strike King 5xd for that depth.

 

If you are trying to clip the grass you mentioned in your post?  If so then my answer would change based on the height of that grass.  You want a CB which you can get down there and clip that grass with.  So knowing the depth in which that grass peaks is your ideal depth.

 

Good luck.

[Jaiden]

Bomber FFS or SK 5XD

[Nice_Bass]

the brand really does not matter much- just go with what you like.  The only thing you should care about is the running depth and line type/diameter.  If you want to run a bait down to 15ft, use a set up that will get a crankbait to below that depth.  A Normans crankbait is what I prefer, but to use it as an example here a dd22 can run up to 17ft and you would be able to  dig bottom.  I would use this bait at 8' depths as well as 15'.  Use a shallower running crank and it will only be at its max depth for a shorter period of time and not where it needs to be as tracks in a pendulum like motion on the retrieve.  Use the bigger rod, and the right lure for your conditions.  

Grass and variable depths you can also use a lipless crankbait and control your depth with retrieve type and speed and would be easy with a lighter smaller rod.  This would be your easiest solution.

[Lasher]

Norman Deep Little N, as others have mentioned previously, this is my favorite 10- 15 ft crank, splatter bass and fire tiger works in my area, chartreuse in muddy water.

[Munkin]

SK 5 series or Bandit 300.

 

Allen

[dfris]

Thanks for the Information guys, What about the Colors, All the lakes I fish up here in NC are usually very clear. usually between 4-6 feet visibility. The KVD 1.5 in sexy shad, does well, but I feel that I could be better  Just not sure what to use. Im still looking for the magic lure. lol

[tomustang]

Thanks for the Information guys, What about the Colors, All the lakes I fish up here in NC are usually very clear. usually between 4-6 feet visibility. The KVD 1.5 in sexy shad, does well, but I feel that I could be better Just not sure what to use. Im still looking for the magic lure. lol

Different colors for different locations/bodies of water. That part is up to you to find out.

Start with the forage

[NathanW]

I fish three colors in this order. Chart Black Back, Chart Shad, Blue/Green Gizzard Shad. There not biting those than I switch to a silent stalker in Chart Shad. There not biting that I do something else. The last two seasons Ive tried to mix in a craw pattern, because craws are the primary forage in out lakes and we don't have shad, but Ill tell you they love those shad patterns around here.

[Comfortably Numb]

Bluegill patterns work best for me.

[Felix77]

My top 3 colors

Clear water - sexy ghost minnow

Stained - green gizzard or sexy shad

Very stained - chartreuse black back

I also mix in my yellow perch and bluegill patterns quite often. As someone else mentioned start with forage in your area.

Good luck

[ww2farmer]

. Im still looking for the magic lure. lol

I hate to break the news to you.............but................ummm..

[gripnrip]

Thanks for the Information guys, What about the Colors, All the lakes I fish up here in NC are usually very clear. usually between 4-6 feet visibility. The KVD 1.5 in sexy shad, does well, but I feel that I could be better  Just not sure what to use. Im still looking for the magic lure. lol

Evidently the magic lure at this time is a Livingston prototype we can't get our hands on yet! 

[mprestonSEK]

Rapala DT10 or DT14. Blue back herring is my go to color for clear water.