Crankbaits in shallow vs deep water? Which work better?

[WRangler506]

I can only afford to get one setup for now, so trying to decide on a shallow (M/M) or a deep (MH/M) setup. Ive really never fished crankbaits for smallmouth, and will be fishing N Michigan and Ontario.

 

If you had to pick getting a setup to fish 10-12ft and less, vs 12ft and deeper, which seems to be more productive when using crankbaits?

 

I know it depends on if the fish are shallow or deep, but which would get used more?

 

[AggieBassin10]

Well I can't be a ton of help to you in the realm of Smallmouth, but I know from personal experience that both of those cranking rods can be effective for either type of cranking. While they each will excel better for what they have been designed for, they can both crank shallow and deep. Personally I've caught a lot more bass on cranks in water less than 12 feet but I'm a largemouth guy, and we don't have too many brownies here in Texas 

[Lucas Cooper]

Up in northern minnesota I have caught most smallies in less than 12 foot of water on and around rock humps. If you see any rocks larger than the one around it there is a good chance a fish is sitting right up by it.

[NHBull]

If you weight your CB, I think you will find that most, with exception of you 1-2 footers will be close to 3/8.  I found many M/M to be to soft and it forces you to pick up a MH, so buy the MH first and go from their..........additionally you can find very shallow CB that weigh 3/8th

[JLBBass]

get a 7'0 MHM, and fish both depths! I HIGHLY suggest a Dobyns Fury 7'0MHM. VERY affordable, and a GREAT crankbait rod. I own 2 of them, and use them for cranking from 2 ft to 12 ft depths.

[WRangler506]

26 minutes ago, NHBull said:

If you weight your CB, I think you will find that most, with exception of you 1-2 footers will be close to 3/8.  I found many M/M to be to soft and it forces you to pick up a MH, so buy the MH first and go from their..........additionally you can find very shallow CB that weigh 3/8th

 

23 minutes ago, PolarKraft195Pro said:

get a 7'0 MHM, and fish both depths! I HIGHLY suggest a Dobyns Fury 7'0MHM. VERY affordable, and a GREAT crankbait rod. I own 2 of them, and use them for cranking from 2 ft to 12 ft depths.

Thanks for the info. I also have another thread in the rod specific forum too. Im interested in the Dobyns Fury 705, and the Premier 70 M/M or MH/M. Im just not a fan of rods that are too stiff for the application. I read the Fury runs lighter for a MH rod.

 

So do you do better fishing shallow/medium depths, or the deeper cranks?

[AggieBassin10]

4 minutes ago, WRangler506 said:

 

Thanks for the info. I also have another thread in the rod specific forum too. Im interested in the Dobyns Fury 705, and the Premier 70 M/M or MH/M. Im just not a fan of rods that are too stiff for the application. I read the Fury runs lighter for a MH rod.

 

So do you do better fishing shallow/medium depths, or the deeper cranks?

Definitely shallow/medium depths!

[NHBull]

1 hour ago, WRangler506 said:

 

Thanks for the info. I also have another thread in the rod specific forum too. Im interested in the Dobyns Fury 705, and the Premier 70 M/M or MH/M. Im just not a fan of rods that are too stiff for the application. I read the Fury runs lighter for a MH rod.

 

So do you do better fishing shallow/medium depths, or the deeper cranks?

I just ordered an Avid MH crankbait rod I have a couple,etc e6x's but hate a 9" handle....the dobyns has about the same

 

[JLBBass]

3 hours ago, WRangler506 said:

 

Thanks for the info. I also have another thread in the rod specific forum too. Im interested in the Dobyns Fury 705, and the Premier 70 M/M or MH/M. Im just not a fan of rods that are too stiff for the application. I read the Fury runs lighter for a MH rod.

 

So do you do better fishing shallow/medium depths, or the deeper cranks?

Do no get the MM, waaay to light action/power.

I’ve owned the Avid 70MHM’s, and Dobyns Champion 705CB MHM’s, and now the Fury 705 MHM’s. I would say they are all VERY similar in action & power. I think the Fury is the best bang for your buck. I don’t crank any deeper than 12-15 ft. But I love cranking anything shallower than that!

the MHM action/power may “seem” a tad too heavy action/power in your hands, but once you hook a fish on one, you WILL understand why that model is so popular!

[J.Vincent]

Last year I picked up a Veritas Medium Moderate Winch series and sometimes the M/M is overpowered by 1/2oz lures in 10-12 foot water. I'm not sure how the Dobyns Medium/Moderate or Avid Medium/Moderate compares in the way of action and power. But probably fairly close. Ultimately I think in general, the MH/M Crankbait Rod is more versatile. 

[tkunk]

I'd go with a deep cranking rod, mostly for versatility. You can do shallow cranking with a deep cranking rod, but you can't do deep cranking with a shallow cranking rod.

 

I look for a couple of things in a cranking rod for smallies. First, length is important for casting distance, so longer rods are better. Second, I want the rod to be as fast as possible while still being able to keep fish pinned. The reason for this is that for smallies, it's usually best to retrieve crankbaits the way you'd fish a Carolina rig. A soft, whippy rod makes this kind of retrieve a pain.

 

Keeping these two things in mind, I'd recommend the Dobyns 805CB or a moderate fast flipping stick.

[WRangler506]

On 4/5/2018 at 4:49 AM, portiabrat said:

I'd go with a deep cranking rod, mostly for versatility. You can do shallow cranking with a deep cranking rod, but you can't do deep cranking with a shallow cranking rod.

 

I look for a couple of things in a cranking rod for smallies. First, length is important for casting distance, so longer rods are better. Second, I want the rod to be as fast as possible while still being able to keep fish pinned. The reason for this is that for smallies, it's usually best to retrieve crankbaits the way you'd fish a Carolina rig. A soft, whippy rod makes this kind of retrieve a pain.

 

Keeping these two things in mind, I'd recommend the Dobyns 805CB or a moderate fast flipping stick.

CAn you explain this, Ive never really fished carolina rigs. 

I think Im going to order the Mojo MHMF. The moderates just seemed too slow to me, even for crankbaits. The mod fast seemed like a good compromise.

[tkunk]

You move the bait with your rod, and reel in the slack. Never move the bait with your reel. It's similar to a jerkbait retrieve but with longer pulls. In my experience, the cadence depends on water temperature.

[WRangler506]

I finally compared the premier MHM to a 7ft Mojo MHMF in person. I think I like the slightly faster action of the MHMF, and maybe be just enough to use for a couple other techniques. I agree after handling the MM rods would be too noodle like. I have a few nice spinning setups for lighter/shallow cranks anyway I guess.

 

16 hours ago, portiabrat said:

You move the bait with your rod, and reel in the slack. Never move the bait with your reel. It's similar to a jerkbait retrieve but with longer pulls. In my experience, the cadence depends on water temperature.

I do fish like this, just didnt realize thats what you call it. THanks

 

 

 

Ill probably get mostly shallow and medium cranks based on the suggestions, and just a few deep cranks.

[Boomstick]

On 4/7/2018 at 11:40 AM, WRangler506 said:

I finally compared the premier MHM to a 7ft Mojo MHMF in person. I think I like the slightly faster action of the MHMF, and maybe be just enough to use for a couple other techniques. I agree after handling the MM rods would be too noodle like. I have a few nice spinning setups for lighter/shallow cranks anyway I guess.

 

I do fish like this, just didnt realize thats what you call it. THanks

 

 

 

Ill probably get mostly shallow and medium cranks based on the suggestions, and just a few deep cranks.

The MH/MF mojo spinnerbait rod is going to be for fishing shallow squarebills around cover and stumps and whatnot. The fast rebound will help in this case. If you are looking for an all-around moving bait stick, it's not a bad choice but for a pure cranking stick I would probably go with the MH/M.

 

 

 

[WRangler506]

I ordered a Dobyns Champion XP 7ft MH/M.

 

Cant wait to try it out.

 

Now I  need a MH/F for jigs and spinnerbaits.

[Boomstick]

5 hours ago, WRangler506 said:

I ordered a Dobyns Champion XP 7ft MH/M.

 

Cant wait to try it out.

 

Now I  need a MH/F for jigs and spinnerbaits.

I think that is probably going to be one of your best options for an all around cranking sticks. Good love imo.

 

The Dobyns 704c should be a good option for jigs and spinnerbaits.