Crankbait opinions

[Fever]

I've been experimenting with different deep diving cranks lately. Been Trying Rapalas DT series the 16 and 20, The Spro little John (dives to 18ft), the Strike king DDT series (dives 16-18), and Norman lures deep cranks (18 ft). I have my own opinions but I was wondering what thoughts some of you may have on these cranks. I honestly love the strike and then fight of a 4 lb plus largy on a deep crank. Talk about a thud when the smack it then scream towards the surface..... wow.

[Cecil]

I like the DT's myself. I like the more aggressive action. Seems like the Strike King, Norman and Bandits have a softer roll to them. Which I know in some cases is better, but I like the aggressive ones. Have not used the Spro yet...

[RK]

Hiya -

I like the DT series quite a bit, from the 10s to the 16s. Haven't used the 20s yet just because where I fish I haven't had the need to.

Some others I like:

- Strike King Pro Models and Tour Grade series 5 and series 6. The 5 runs 10-13 feet or so and the 6 12-15 feet. A little harder wobble than then Rapala and a little easier to cast into the wind I think. Plus a rattle vs the balsa DT.

- Poes 300 and 400. These were my standards before the DTs came out. Cedar, so a little less buoyant than a DT, so they hang a little on a pause.

- Bomber Fat Free Shad. Flat-sided cranks that are a good chance of pace bait when you've already worked over a school with a different bait. I suppose there's a situation where a flat-sided deep diver is the first choice that some bass pro could explain to me, but for me, they're mostly a follow-up bait for when fish stop hitting something else but I still think there are fish to be had on a spot.

I love fishing deep cranks for bass. Great fun...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Cecil]

2nd the Fat Free's as well

[Burchoid]

I've had good luck with the Lucky Craft Flat CB. She'll go almost 12 feet down on a good cast. I haven't tried the Flat CB D20 yet but I'm planning on giving her a whirl soon.

I like the DT's too, but I don't like how fragile they are. It doesn't take much to seperate the plastic bill from the balsa body.

[TonkaBass]

I accidentally melted my Lucky craft dang spike it! It got down deep though for sure... I hit bottom in 19 fow no problem. My favs though go to the DT16, DDRFatRap, and the DD22 Norman. Haven't messed with the little john, but I want to...

[Gekhang]

how are you guys fishing the dt16's?...i have one and on my medium action its quite the effort needed to reel it in so i barely use them nowadays...

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Same way I fish any other deep crank. It definately pulls harder than even a dt10. Try throwing it on a MH or heavy cranking rod or reel slower. I use a Heavy power moderate action and 5:1 gear ratio for deep cranks.

DTs probably see the most use in my boat but Strike Kings, Poes, see the rotation, too.

Rapala has some new cranks called the Cranking Rap. Similiar to the DTs but are made of plastic should be hitting the shelves everywhere soon but some stores have them already. They have a good 10' and 12-13' bait.

[Gekhang]

cool thanks, ill be getting maybe a mh baitcaster pretty soon, so ill give it a try when i do...

[Fever]

I really like the Little John Deep Crank. It is a heavier crank and I think it has a sliding tungston weight inside making it easier to cast. (Prob the best casting lure I have) which really helps get the depth you want (18+) It also emits subtle thud or knock type sound rather that a rattle (in the Normans and Strike kings). I like the DTs to but I wish they casted a bit better into the wind. That balsa is light and catches wind easy. All in all the Little John is my fav but for 11.99 a shot its tough to justify buying too many when I can't fit all my crank bait sleeves in the storage I have the way it is.

[TonkaBass]

how are you guys fishing the dt16's?...i have one and on my medium action its quite the effort needed to reel it in so i barely use them nowadays...

I use a flipping stick an awful lot when fishing deep cranks now. It's a 7'5 Mossyback loomis with 15lb. Seaguar and it's the ticket. I can tell exactly whats down there, rip free from snags and weeds easier, and I rarely loose any fish. Try it and I dont think you will be upset. The key is to use a nic quality lightweight rod. Those bulky flipping sticks I dont like for cranks. I do still use flimsy rods for my other cranks a lot though.

[TonkaBass]

Fever, how deep can you get that little john? What line do you use?

[CaptZ21]

Tonka, I have a few Loomis GLX heavy flipping sticks but cant see them being that good hope I am wrong. I do use a few Loomis cranking rods and have won some money this past year on them. One thing I did discover is that Bass Pro makes a hell of a good flourocarbon that I use cranking. What is a bulky flipping stick? Just thinking outloud.

No one mentioned the L Craft Flat CB 20. I really have come to like how this one and the 12 work through grass without hangin up. Also, they might be pricey, still less expensive than buying 3 Raps to replace the broken bills.

[TonkaBass]

What is a bulky flipping stick? Just thinking outloud.

Just one that feels heavy in my hand... I like the Loomis because it feels the best for me. I have tried croix, which I love for a flipping stick but not for cranking, and other brands, but I like the mossyback the best.

[Fever]

Tonka,

I'm thinking I've been getting that Little John down to about 17 maybe 18. For casting those deep cranks I use a 7 foot med/heav St.Croix casting rod, Phleuger Citina reel, and this year I went down from 30lb power pro to 15 lb power pro for deep crankin. I know alot of guys will say they like the flouro cuz it gets a touch deeper and is nearly invisable, but I think the tiny diameter of 15 lb pp lessens that gap and gives me better knots, sensitivity, and confidence and how invisable does your line have to be anyway, when in reality, the bites your getting are reaction bites as the crank crosses a fishes zone. Its not like they have a ton of time to examine the crank before they inhale it. My DT20's are the deepest I throw and on a long cast they'll nik 22 feet if the rod is half way in the water.