Deep Diving Crankbaits

[Lard_Bass]

I was wondering what everyone uses for deep diving crankbaits (greater than 20 ft in depth)?  

[tacoman]

manns 30+

[Shadcranker]

I use a Norman DD22, but it really only runs about 15-16 ft on 10 lb line on a long cast.

I don't know of any lures that really hit the 20 ft mark other than the 30+. I know that Lucky Craft claims their 20 bait will go there, but I don't have the $ or nerve to root one of those down that deep where I structure fish.

The DD22 is a great bait. They are usually tuned right out of the package, and the colors are great.

[CJ]

I got a LC Flat D-20.It hits the bottom in 18-19 ft. of water.I like it for 12-15,it really digs hard.

[Brad_Coovert]

I know that Lucky Craft claims their 20 bait will go there, but I don't have the $ or nerve to root one of those down that deep where I structure fish.

Chicken!  

[Stringjam]

Worden's Comp Cedars 4500 hits closer to that mark in the real world than any other crank I've tried, plus it gets down there very easily and has a killer action and "kick" to boot.....I can feel every wobble no matter how deep it gets.      

Next up is the Lee Sisson P-20 ....a little harder to cast (balsa as opposed to the heavier cedar) - has a tighter, faster kick than the Worden's.  Killer bait for deep brush.  

The Mann's 30+, Luhr-Jensen 3/4 oz. HotLips, and the 1/2 oz. Luhr-Jensen Deep Secret will all get there but IMO are a pain in the wrist to do so, and the HotLips just doesn't have that much action to me.  (BTW.......Tom Seward designed the above mentioned Comp Cedars bait, and also designed the HotLips series for Jensen - - he says it will get as deep as the 3/4 Hottie, which is capable of 22' on a 100 ft. cast/10 lb. line.)  

Norman DD22's and Rapala DT16's are good baits, but I don't care to try to get them past 15'.  There's guys that can, but I'd rather use the above lures as they do it far more easily.        

As soon as I can possibly get out (darn freezing weather) I'm going to try out the Catching Concepts XDC3, which is a FLAT SIDED cedar crank that supposedly will hit the upper teens to 20 mark.  I'll report as soon as I find out.

I'm also going to try the LuckyCraft CB D20 - - if it's anything at all like the CB D12 I'm sure it will be a winner.  I hope it does well - as plastic baits don't require the maintenance of the wooden lures.

You mentioned getting deeper than 20 ft.......perhaps using some of the above lures on some very fine diameter line (8 lb.) and making a VERY VERY long cast, or casting and trolling out some line will make that possible, but for the most part it is quite hard just to get to a true 20 ft in the first place.  

Deep cranking is in my opinion one of the most specialized of bass fishing techniques, and it takes some time to get the hang and the feel of it - - but it can really pay off.   Last year the local tournament scene was dominated by the deep crankers from the post-spawn through the summer.  This technique can haul in some killer strings (David Fritts has done pretty well for himself).      

Don't be afraid to to fish these things anywhere - -just get a telescoping retrieval pole and you won't lose many baits.  I hardly EVER lose one - - the cost of some of these cranks is great motivation to learn how to get them unhung.        

[T-rig]

Lucky Craft D20, Rapala Downdeep, Poe's 400P.

[5bass]

The LC CBD-20 is a killer deep crank and the Mann's 20+ are the two I use when I need to hit 20 consistently. My other favorites are Rapala DT16,DD22 and Hot Lips. The Megabass Deep X-200 is good for about 15-16'.

[Stringjam]

The Megabass Deep X-200 is good for about 15-16'.

I've got one of these in the mail (along with a Tiemco Mad Pepper Mag) - - how do you like it?  What kind of action does it have?  

[VAbacklash]

I'm set in my ways. I still use Poe's 400's to get down as deep as I can stand to crank. It sure doesn't take many casts and retrieves to figure out that nothing's home. Could it be age or laziness?  

[5bass]

The Megabass Deep X-200 is good for about 15-16'.

I've got one of these in the mail (along with a Tiemco Mad Pepper Mag) - - how do you like it? What kind of action does it have?

I like 'em. The action is similar to a #7 Shad Rap and just a little bit bigger. If you crank deep alot,you'll like it.