Ima Bass Ninja Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 I have numerous crankbaits that i haven't used in a while and really have no idea what depth they dive. I know there are more the middle range but we're looking somewhere between 5-10'. That's a big gap when you are trying to bounce things off the bottom. So my question, is there a formula for figuring out how deep a crankbait dives by taking measurements regardless of manufacturer? For example a 1" bill + 3/8 lure weight = 6' diving depth??? Thanks Quote
Super User KYntucky Warmouth Posted February 10, 2011 Super User Posted February 10, 2011 The simplest thing, for me atleast, would be to fish it in an area that I know the depth of, say 8'. If it digs, it's probably a 10-12' bait, if it doesn't hit anything, it's less. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted February 10, 2011 Super User Posted February 10, 2011 I've never heard of anything like that. It seems like there would be too many variables for that to work - not only bill length, but width and the angle that it's attached to the bait. Then, you have baits like the Luhr-Jensen Hot Lips Express that have a flared bill that would not fit into a formula. Then, in addition to variations in the baits, you have line diameter variances - the smaller the diameter of the line, the deeper the bait will dive. Then, there's the length of your cast. Some baits take a long time to get to their maximum depth so there's another variable to a somewhat lesser degree. If you can still identify the baits, you can look at the manufacturers web site to determine what the "book" diving depth is as a starting point. That gets you somewhat close but you would still need to verify that depth with your rod and line combo. I actually write the book depth on my cranks, then verify the actual depth when in the boat using the sonar and seeing if the bait hits bottom at the rated depth. Quote
Ima Bass Ninja Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 Thanks for the replies guys.. KW..I thought of this but seemed to be a very labor intensive process. Tying on a crank, getting a general diving depth , marking it, and moving to the next. I have about 20 cranks that i need to do so this would be an all day affair, i was just hoping for something a little faster. Goose...Whoa!!!!! Slow down my man... you are getting way to in depth for me (no pun intended);D ;D j/k....I know there are alot of variables that go into it , I'm just looking to narrow the general depth down to a foot or so. I also mark the book depth on cranks now but these were in my arsenal before i started doing it.. ( just FYI a post YOU made about marking book depth on cranks started me actually doing it...one of the best pieces of advice i have received here ) Quote
Bass Dude Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 They have a book that shows the running depth of most crankbaits. It's not an immediate solution, but may be worth looking into. Quote
Ima Bass Ninja Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 They have a book that shows the running depth of most crankbaits. It's not an immediate solution, but may be worth looking into. Do you know what the name of the book is?? I've googled crankbait diving characteristics and got a few good ideas but didn't see any items for a book Quote
Pa Angler Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Precision Trolling and Casting. I'm not trying to sell anything just passing on info. http://www.walleyesinc.com/walleyeinc3/onlinestoreprecision.htm Tight Lines Pa Angler Quote
B-Dozer Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 The simplest thing, for me atleast, would be to fish it in an area that I know the depth of, say 8'. If it digs, it's probably a 10-12' bait, if it doesn't hit anything, it's less. I like this method myself. It uses the line, and the speed you will be fishing with. Just use a sharpie to write the depth down. Quote
MFBAB Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 That precision trolling book is really meant for diving depths while trolling with different lengths of line out, it won't tell you much about diving depths for casting, I have that book. I would put a snap on and go cast them around on a shallow flat somewhere, you could go through them pretty quickly. Also, if you know the makes and models of your baits you could probably just look at the packaging at BPS or online at TW. Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted February 10, 2011 Super User Posted February 10, 2011 Compare the angles and bill lengths on the baits that you do not know to the baits that you do know . This should tell you what you want to know. Quote
BIG M Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 1 inch of bill length will equal 6-7ft, that's a good starting point. Quote
Pa Angler Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 That precision trolling book is really meant for diving depths while trolling with different lengths of line out, it won't tell you much about diving depths for casting, I have that book. I would put a snap on and go cast them around on a shallow flat somewhere, you could go through them pretty quickly. Also, if you know the makes and models of your baits you could probably just look at the packaging at BPS or online at TW. There's two seperate books one for Trolling and one for Casting. Read the entire page. http://www.walleyesinc.com/walleyeinc3/onlinestoreprecision.htm Tight Lines Pa Angler Quote
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