Deep Water Cranking Works

[jimmykm21]

Hi to all.

I have been reading this forum for a while now and decided to say Hi and thanks for all the good info and posts by it's members.

I have been a soft plastic fisherman most of my life. This year I decided to get into crankbaits and also deep water cranking.

I don't know if it's just good luck but I have caught more numbers of big bass than ever before.

I also caught large bass with plastics but also caught a lot of small ones, with the occasional 4 or 5 pounder.

This past 2 weeks I have done nothing except deep water cranking with a koppers live target perch ., over a 6" bait with lip

I bought a 7' 10 " rod and a quantum tour kvd 5.3:1 bait caster. And I haven't caught anything on this under 2 pounds.

Most were between 2 to 4 pounds and a couple of 5 or better. Is this luck for 2 weeks straight?

Or does deep water cranking with large crank baits produce big fish?

Thanks

[Bluebasser86]

Deep cranking usually seems to produce quality fish like that this time of year. It's a big bait and big target and it gets down to where the big fish hang out during the hot weather months. When it hits the bottom or a piece of cover it can trigger a reaction strike from a fish that may not have hit a slow moving worm or jig too. It can be pretty tiring if you're planning on throwing big baits all day long though!

[jimmykm21]

You're not kidding about it being tiring. I fished today from 4:00pm to about 8:30.

I had to take a few breaks in between.

I think I'm hooked on it though. I almost don't want to use my worm rods anymore.

I realize though conditions and bites change.

[Abu4life]

Thank you for posting this.

I have been hearing all about deep cranking and the benefits it brings along with it. I have always been a plastics, jig, lipless crank fisherman and I geuss this was the final push that I should be taking advantage of the warm summer months and the deep summer bite that comes along with the territory.

Tight Lines!

We will see how this plays out this weekend during tourney time.

[Sam]

Jimmy, with water temperatures in the high 80s bass will go deep for the cooler water and oxygen.

Your crankbaits are now going to where the bass are holding.

Some pros will deep crank but after they have a five-fish limit. They do this to upgrade their weight,

And deep water cranking can wear you out. Last time I did it my wrists hurt for some unknown reason and I did not catch a thing.

[stratosjoe]

I use an old Quantum 381 (3.8 to 1) extremely slow retrieve with a 7 1/2 ft rod 8-12 lb fluorcarbon I am getting old so I keep the rod down on my leg and I sit down crank ave speed when it hits something i wait a moment then speed up the retrieve and lift the rod at the same time but only come up to about 9 oclock ...stop then start the retrieve again usually on the stop they smoke it. if you miss it i have been throwing a carolina rig back in and keep it moving usually you can pick up the short strikers. hope this helps Joe

[Lucky Craft Man]

I like to fish deep diving crankbaits. Unfortunately, I haven't experienced the high levels of success that you seem to be experiencing, but I have caught some nice size fish in the past while doing it(at least enough to keep me wanting to fish these deep divers again).

P.S. I used to think fishing deep diving crankbaits was a tiring technique until I got into muskie fishing. Throwing a 15 oz. Super Mag. Bulldawg or running a bucktail with double size 13 blades for 8 to 10 hours really puts a hurting on you.

[Bluebasser86]

I like to fish deep diving crankbaits. Unfortunately, I haven't experienced the high levels of success that you seem to be experiencing, but I have caught some nice size fish in the past while doing it(at least enough to keep me wanting to fish these deep divers again).

P.S. I used to think fishing deep diving crankbaits was a tiring technique until I got into muskie fishing. Throwing a 15 oz. Super Mag. Bulldawg or running a bucktail with double size 13 blades for 8 to 10 hours really puts a hurting on you.

I know what you mean about the muskie fishing! It's hard enough to fish a bucktail or weedless spinnerbait with them hubcap sized blades for long but then they had to go and put 2 of them on the same bait?! The bad thing is how well they work so you really just have to deal with it or maybe not catch as many fish.

[JKarbo214]

Not to change this thread too much, what is everyone's favorite deepwater crankbait? Include brand, model, and favorite color. Thanks!

[Kevinator1]

I love deep water cranking. I've caught my 2 personal bests on crankbaits. 8lbs 2oz. and 7lbs 10oz. I like the Bomber Fat Free Shads and the Norman DD22's. Also I have had luck on the Bandit 700 series of deep divers.

[jimmykm21]

Not to change this thread too much, what is everyone's favorite deepwater crankbait? Include brand, model, and favorite color. Thanks!

I have only fished with 2

Both are koppers live targets.

One is the perch crank and the other is the crawfish.

The bass have been slaming the perch, I caught a couple only on the crawfish.

[Bluebasser86]

I like the Bomber Fat Free Shad and Strike King Silent Series 5. I liked the 6XD but so did a snag that was too deep for my lure retriever to reach.