deep water crankin secrets

[herefishy]

I would like to become a better deep water crankbait fisherman...I know there are alot of secrets the pros will use to fish these..(for example filing the bills, using lighter line, longer casts, longer softer rods, etc..I also hear about these guys making their cranks more smooth and subtle.....If you have any advice or make alterations to your crankbaits i would love to hear about what works for you............

[Sam]

Try to use a crank with a deeper diving rating than the depth of your water to stir up the bottom.

Go with a mono line.

Have front hook one size larger than rear hook.

Add feather to rear hook if there is none on crank.

Put "orange" or "red" on bottom of lure.  

[CJ]

Location and knowing "when" are the main things to learn. I don't do  much customizing. As long as the crankbait is running straight, it will catch fish that are in a positive feeding mood or cause a negative fish to react.

I use 8 lb. test P-Line CXX which is a copolymer line. I prefer a medium power/moderate action 7' rod. I make sure the crankbait has very sharp hooks.

Making sure you have the right running depth crankbait is important. I prefer to be making some contact with the bottom.

[fishfordollars]

Light line to get deeper(10lb)

Sharpen the bill

Suspend dots

Weights attached to the front treble

Fish uphill.

Like Sam said to use one that runs deeper than the depth fished to bump the bottom

I use 3.8. or 5.1.1 reels to keep me from fishing to fast. Plus it cuts down on mid back ache for me

[roadwarrior]

Check out the articles in the BassResource.com "Tacklebox" at

the top of the page.

Search through posts from "Chris", he has some great suggestions and

observations. Start here:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1189587143/0

8-)

[mrbassky]

Biggest secret or trend is lure speed. KVD has been doing well burning his strike king series 6. Others have been doing well slowing down both work but speed can make a huge difference.

[herefishy]

Great posts and articles...Thank You

[TournyFish001]

The speed is key- a lot of guys will only tell you, slowest retrieve humanly possible (sometimes the fish want a fast ripp'n retrieve and with a 5:1 and slower reel its virtually impossble) you can always slow down a higher speed reel it can be difficult bit it is possible- I do it.  A lot of guys will only use great big bamboo flexy spongy fiber glass rods, I Have this combo, a 3.8:1 on a 7ft diawa glass cranking stick... I HATE THIS SET UP!!!!! Ok that being said, what I do like is my 843c GL3 (7ft med heavy fast action graphite rod) with a 6.2:1 chronarch on it!!!  I make sure the drag is backed off this is very key and I use 10 to 12LB co-poly line- check your hooks they MUST BE SHARP.  I chuck DD22, Flat CB DR20's all day with no fatigue issues and land fish as often as my fiber glass yeilding compadres.  Now that being said there is nothing wrong with fiber glass rods- just not for me and many western pros I have fished with.  I am sure I'm gunna get ripped for this but I gotta put in my .02- I bought a fiberglass rod and slow reel and now I don't even use it.

[Garnet]

I also bought S Glass Lamiglass cranking rod. (s Glass is 1 up from glass) and 3:8-1 Curados. The s glass is just dead in your hand all that ahhh is dead. I do believe you can catch more fish with glass it's just no fun.

The 3:8-1 Curados are good for top water poppers.

Garnet

[J Francho]

Location, contact with structure and/or cover, and retrieve angle are what I concentrate on.  If you're cranking through clean water, you're doing it all wrong.

[SlingBlades]

A few things I have learned and try to remember.

If you use a "floppy" rod, use low stretch line.

When the rod loads from a strike, set the hook and get a good bend in the rod. Not like a jig, but still set it.

Stay in contact with something. Bump the bottom if nothing else. Hit stumps and brush with multiple casts and angles.

Point the rod low and at the bait for better feel.

Feel (or gain a feel for) your bait and what it is supposed to be doing. When it changes, set the hook.

Some crankbaits will catch better than others. Especially wood. When you find one dialed in, mark it somehow (I use a small Sharpie mark on the bill.)  If you fish tournaments, fish the ones that are really good catchers in tournaments and no time else. I keep mine in a separate box.

That will get you off to a good start.  ;D

[Stringjam]

Lots of good points mentioned - especially regarding speed.  

Crankbaiting (and deep cranking esp.) is all about FEEL.  .....especially when fish aren't just suicidal.   It only comes with lots and lots of time on the water.  

Fish don't always want a crankbait busting around along the bottom.....that's an aggressive presentation that doesn't always work.  Sometimes fish prefer a lure that is just ticking the cover or bottom instead of plowing into it.

If you know you're on fish and they aren't hitting your normal presentation - burn it.

I don't like spongy crankbait setups.......I tried a big glass rod with mono and a big deep crank at depth feels like mush.    Now I use a 7'6" moderate action graphite stick and 20 lb. braided line.  I like to feel every wobble, stick and pebble.  Not a huge fan of really slow reels either - - I've tried a few of the really slow reels and I feel like I'm always losing contact with the bait, and if you want to speed it up it's really a PITA.   I'm most comfortable with something around 5.0:1.