best lures for exploring deeper water

[CallMeTheSeeker]

i'v played with carolina rigged worms and lizards a bit, tho i cant cast it all that far....when i throw it alot of my momentum is lost because the worm and the sinker(3/8oz) slingshot each other around in a circle..

i've tried deep cranks too but pike always end up hitting it..

i was thinking maybe a lipless rank.  the water depth is anywhere from 15ft to 25ft

just looking for some suggestions of lures i should be able to cast far on my spinning gear and get it down relativly fast to explore the water....since i have no electronics i have to depend on manually finding the fish.  I'm sure there have got to be some big ones deeper....i think i'v caught all the small ones in the shallows hehe

also i was thinking weighting a senko might work.

tips? suggestions, comments

thanks again

-Seeker

[nwgabassmaster]

Honestly, the deep diving cranks are about the best lure that fish the deep water effectively.

Maybe a large jig and pig, but even that would take a while to get down at that depth.   :-/

[Raul]

Lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits are an excellent search bait AT ANY DEPTH since they sink at a predictable rate of 1 ft/sec/every half ounce you can fish them at any depth, it 's just a matter of counting ant what depth you want the bait, you cover the water fast, I don 't like the senko idea, you don 't swim a senko, I would use the senko only after I have located the fish and the depth at which they are holding, but you can swim a jig n 'trailer.  

[roadwarrior]

Fish a Gitzit, T-rigged. It's my #1 producer right now for quality bass in 15-20' of water. Fish slowly on and around structure. I let the bait rest for a minute or TWO on the initial drop. I move the lure by lifting the rod, what might be described as a slow, elongated hop. Sometimes once, sometimes twice and then let it sit for awhile. Many strikes occur while deadsticking, otherwise after you move the tube. I think bass may just watch this bug until it drives them crazy and they have to strike.

[5bass]

CRANKBAIT

Rapala DT-16

Mann's 20+

[Upnorth]

I like the carolina rig or a drop shot.  They get down fast, stay down, and you can really feel the bottom.

[Rattlinrogue]

I really like the c-rig,but you said that's not where you want to go.A spinnerbait is an excellent deep water lure.My son caught a 24" slow rolling a chartruese s-bait in 15' of water(creek channel with tons of wood and grass cover).A deep diving c-bait,lipless c-bait,and a drop shot rig are good choices.The venerable,ole T-rig with a heavy weight will still get the job done.

[CallMeTheSeeker]

if i go with either the crank or the spinner i think ill have to use a braided metal leader....i know the pike dont seem to mind this, but will the bass?

i think theres alot more pike in the lake(large pond) then there are bass...every time i try a faster moving lure i seem to get pike hits...even when i try to work them slower.

-Seeker

[bassackwards]

hell, I never caught a pike... would be fun I would think.

after you locate fish, I watched Bill Dance with a tube, cut the fat part at the end of a foam ear plug off and stuck it in the tube, then a weight..

said it took alot of patience though, falling at 3 or 4 secs/1 ft... but was a great way to get those bass that are bein picky to bite...

of course, this may be after you locate some fish, and if u have the patience....

[Darth_Wader]

Heavy jig with a craw trailer

Heavy Spinnerbait

Deep diving craw

All bounced off bottom

If all that fails drop shot em with a slider worm.

Darth

[Chris]

I would use my depth finder to figure out what depth the fish are using then figure out what would work at that depth. If the fish are relating to the bottom then bottom bouncing lures would be the direction I would go. If they are relating to structure I would figure out where on the structure they are hanging at. If they where in it, around it, or above it suspending. Sometimes even in 25 ft of water the fish might just be hanging in 5 ft of water. Figure out the depth they are using is key then figure out which lures will work under that situation.

[Wabassin]

A heavy spinnerbait will work along with deep diving crankbaits. A jig and pig will also work. For the best deepwater results a grub/hulagrub/beaver on a football head will keep you intact with the bottom the best and let you feel everything that is down there. A C-rig with a heavier weight will also work. If you want your senko to get down deeper faster try using a suspendstrip on the hook. Also dont be afraid to throw a zara spook over the deeper water. Bass will swim a long ways to hit it.

[CallMeTheSeeker]

thanks a bunch guys.

think when i get paid friday i'll go get a heavier spinner and a jig.  Think i might pick up a heavier weight for my crig too(the one i have been using is only 3 / 8) ....thinking that may help me cast it.

Also the creg setup i have now is one of those ready made type things.....has a thick metal wire some plastic beads and the weight....it's only about an inch or so long.  would i be better off just using the sliding weight and doing a regular crig?

And forever made the comment about pike....yea they are fun to catch...put up a good fight.  They are kinda tricky to get off the hook tho....those teeth are sharp!  and they are slimy/smelly as hell...kinda like a salmon...cept worse.

thanks again guys

-Seeker

[Upnorth]

About those pike, you probally won't have to use a leader for the spinnerbait.  The shape of the bait usually prevents a pike from getting its teeth on your line.  With the crankbait, its a roll of the dice.

[CallMeTheSeeker]

upnorth? any idea if / how much the leader will discourage a bass from hitting?

-Seeker

[bassackwards]

from what little I know of fishing for Big bass, a real big bass might be discouraged, for whatever reason.  they're quite a cautious bunch.  and something that out of the ordinary might not help your chances.  

smaller bass may not be affected.