joe chum Posted July 23, 2017 Posted July 23, 2017 I just received my deep diving crankbait outfit from Tackle Warehouse. I'm wondering what cranks in the 10' - 20' range you guys throw in clear water? Quote
Super User NHBull Posted July 23, 2017 Super User Posted July 23, 2017 No disrespect intended, but the ones rated for such depth. It should be labeled on the box. I usually add 2 feet to ensure bottom contact. There are many variables to get down there. Use the search function and that will lead you to many valuable threads. For clear water, chad and craw colors are my choice. I have also had luck with a faster wobble Quote
joe chum Posted July 23, 2017 Author Posted July 23, 2017 I don't think I was clear enough on my question. I wanted to ask what brand, models and colours guys were throwing for Smallies in the 10' - 20' feet of water? I have a list on what I'm going to purchase from Tackle Warehouse but just wanted to get some feedback. Here's my order so far: Rapala DT10 Blugill Rapala DT14 Yellow Perch SK 5XD Summer Sexy Shad SK 6XD Sexy Ghost Minnow Norman Deep Little N Clear Nutter Shad Norman DD22 HD Power Perch Bomber Fat Free Shad BD6 Pearl White Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted July 23, 2017 Super User Posted July 23, 2017 An active smallmouth will rise to hit a crankbait so I don't throw many really deep divers. Also I throw cranks on 20lb PE line which allows 1' - 2' more (than labeled) depth per bait. If you look inside my hard bait box you'll find DT 4', 6' & 10'; X-Rap shad; Wiggle Warts; Bandit 300s; and Fat Free Shads. Colors in my box are Perch and shades of brown. If I need to be deeper than these will call I'll throw a drop-shot or vibrating jig. Good fishing. oe 1 Quote
tkunk Posted July 23, 2017 Posted July 23, 2017 I never had much luck throwing any crankbait longer than 2.5". Smallies will hit bigger baits, but they won't get hooked reliably. Wiggle Warts and DT10s are the right size to use. As mentioned earlier, you don't need to get super deep to target deep smallies: The active ones will rise a long way to hit a bait. The colors you want depend mostly on forage, time of day, and cloud cover. I typically use shad, sexy shad, or brown crawdad colors. Quote
Super User NHBull Posted July 23, 2017 Super User Posted July 23, 2017 I have found that trench diggers still run good when not contacting the bottom. The weighted bill help. So far I am pleased with them.......they also get down faster and spend more time in the target area Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted July 23, 2017 Super User Posted July 23, 2017 47 minutes ago, NHBull said: I have found that trench diggers still run good when not contacting the bottom. The weighted bill help. So far I am pleased with them.......they also get down faster and spend more time in the target area Trench Diggers? Is that one of the new Berkley cranks? oe Quote
Super User NHBull Posted July 23, 2017 Super User Posted July 23, 2017 4 minutes ago, OkobojiEagle said: Trench Diggers? Is that one of the new Berkley cranks? oe Yup.....there are some mixed reviews but for going deeper than 10, they are my go-to Quote
riverbasser Posted July 23, 2017 Posted July 23, 2017 Berkley offers a "digger" crank and also the "dredger" line. The diggers have a steep bill angle while the dredgers have weighted bills. There are 2 threads that a member named scaleface gave a pretty good review on the new dredger line. Quote
Super User NHBull Posted July 23, 2017 Super User Posted July 23, 2017 29 minutes ago, riverbasser said: Berkley offers a "digger" crank and also the "dredger" line. The diggers have a steep bill angle while the dredgers have weighted bills. There are 2 threads that a member named scaleface gave a pretty good review on the new dredger line. I stand corrected......I am using the dredgers, that's for pointing out my senior moment 2 Quote
joe chum Posted July 23, 2017 Author Posted July 23, 2017 Thanks for the replies guys. I was using a 1/4oz. Hot Lips Express this morning and caught a couple of Smallies. It was running 14'-15'. Mind you, it's 2 1/4" long. The cranks I'm ordering are 2.5" to 3". So a Smallie is reluctant to hit a 3" crank running 15'-20'? I've done very little deep cranking and do have some deep divers in the range of 15'-20'. The reason being I didn't have the proper rod and reel. I use to use a medium crankbait rod and it was a hell of alot work so I didn't stick with it very long. Quote
Turkey sandwich Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 A long MH rod makes throwing the deep running and oversized baits a lot easier. As for preferences, I like Fat Free Shad, Rapala DT, and SK XD series like most of the other guys. I've picked up a few of the new Berkley crankbaits, and while I haven't fished them much, I do like what I've seen of them. Colors are going to vary a lot depending upon water clarity and forage. Clear water - mimic forage or white. Low light or discolored water- very dark colors or very bright colors. Quote
Neil McCauley Posted July 24, 2017 Posted July 24, 2017 Rapala DT16 and DT20 are my go-tos. They stay at target depths best when trolled. Classic silver minnow or yellow perch finishes seem to work best for me. Quote
joe chum Posted July 24, 2017 Author Posted July 24, 2017 4 hours ago, Turkey sandwich said: A long MH rod makes throwing the deep running and oversized baits a lot easier. As for preferences, I like Fat Free Shad, Rapala DT, and SK XD series like most of the other guys. I've picked up a few of the new Berkley crankbaits, and while I haven't fished them much, I do like what I've seen of them. Colors are going to vary a lot depending upon water clarity and forage. Clear water - mimic forage or white. Low light or discolored water- very dark colors or very bright colors. Just recently picked up a 7' 6" medium heavy crankbait rod and I'm really happy with it. 2 hours ago, Neil McCauley said: Rapala DT16 and DT20 are my go-tos. They stay at target depths best when trolled. Classic silver minnow or yellow perch finishes seem to work best for me. I have a DT16 in Yellow Perch on my list. Thanks guys. Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted July 24, 2017 Super User Posted July 24, 2017 On 7/23/2017 at 2:00 PM, joe chum said: Rapala DT10 Blugill Rapala DT14 Yellow Perch SK 5XD Summer Sexy Shad SK 6XD Sexy Ghost Minnow Norman Deep Little N Clear Nutter Shad Norman DD22 HD Power Perch Bomber Fat Free Shad BD6 Pearl White DT's, XD's, and DD's. Sounds like you have the deep cranking game figured out. Quote
salmotrutta Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 Rapala DT 10-20:Helsinki Shad and Red Crayfish. Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted July 25, 2017 Super User Posted July 25, 2017 If I am deep cranking for smallmouth, it's usually with a SK 5xd in rootbeer. Quote
Hurricane Posted July 25, 2017 Posted July 25, 2017 On 7/23/2017 at 3:05 PM, NHBull said: I have found that trench diggers still run good when not contacting the bottom. The weighted bill help. So far I am pleased with them.......they also get down faster and spend more time in the target area What colors did you pick up? I was deciding between the XD or the Dredger... Quote
Super User NHBull Posted July 25, 2017 Super User Posted July 25, 2017 Honey chad Fire tiger Big money Blue chartreuse The BC being and fire tiger would be my top two Quote
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