Best Deep Cranks 2025

MarVaBC reply :

Looking for suggestions on the best deep crankbaits out there. I have the rapala DT series in diff. depths, and I just got 2 Norman DD22's. Any other notable deep cranks worth giving a shot?

T-rig reply :

Imakatsu IK400R

You get it here: www.ichibantackle.com

Matt Fly reply :

I love the Bomber series, which used to be excalibur baits in suspending models. To get to the real deep waters, I use Mann's 30+ in saltwater tackle, works great for deep bass.

Matt

bassnleo reply :

I use the DD22's and love them. I have also used the Luhr Jensen 1/2 oz Brush Baby and the Hot Lips express in 1/2 and 3/4 oz sizes. The Jensens are nice for fishing around deep stumps or rock, they deflect nice and don't get hung all that often.

Infidel. reply :

One of my most consistent deep cranks is the 3/4oz Fat Free Shad. I like the LC CB20 as well but it doesn't seem to catch any more fish.

5bass reply :

I fish deep cranks ALOT. The 4 I have on hand at all times are:

DD22

DT16

LC CBD-20

Mann's 20+

.....and an honorable mention goes to the Bandit 400's

bassdocktor reply :

The Strike King 6 series isn't too bad either.

CrazedL.IFisherman reply :

Im also a big fan of of bomber lures they just seem to have great color combos and are of true quality, many fisherman on this site like the rapala dt22 series and on their recommendations i have bought one and cannot wait to use it this upcoming year

The_Natural reply :

Quote
I use the DD22's and love them. I have also used the Luhr Jensen 1/2 oz Brush Baby and the Hot Lips express in 1/2 and 3/4 oz sizes. The Jensens are nice for fishing around deep stumps or rock, they deflect nice and don't get hung all that often.

If you want to broaden your selection, get a couple of Hot Lips, a couple of Lucky Craft Flat CB D20's, and a couple of the 3/4oz Fat Free Shads, and then you should be covered

Fishing Doug reply :

Any place for lipless crankbaits in deep waters? I have very little experience with deep bass (12 + feet) however, I plan on targeting deep structure this year. Will a lipless cranks in the 3/4 oz range stay deep enough or is a fat lip necessary to keep it deep to bounce off the bottom?

5bass reply :

Quote
Any place for lipless crankbaits in deep waters? I have very little experience with deep bass (12 + feet) however, I plan on targeting deep structure this year. Will a lipless cranks in the 3/4 oz range stay deep enough or is a fat lip necessary to keep it deep to bounce off the bottom?
FD

I prefer a billed bait for deep cranking. I feel I have much more control with a billed crank. Plus when I hit something to deflect the bait and stop reeling,the bait deflects and floats up away from obstructions whereas a trap would sink back into the obstruction. You have the right idea with the trap staying down but you have to think about what type structure and cover you are fishing and what you want the bait to do. If you fish deep grass,then the trap may be the way to go, but no deep grass = no traps for me. I guess you could try a floating trap....(do they still make those?)

I dont fish any grass so my opinion may be one-sided but I feel like the trap would stay hung in cover or on the bottom too much to be more effective than a traditional deep billed crank.

Brad_Coovert reply :

A lipless bait yo-yo'd on a deep, rock bottom is a good bait to try.

Brad

Gorgebassman reply :

When it comes to deep diving crank baits I would have to say my favorite is the Luhr Jensen Hot lips and power dive minnows I also use the baby hot lips as well with great success.

Alpster reply :

Quote
I fish deep cranks ALOT. The 4 I have on hand at all times are:
DD22

DT16

LC CBD-20

Mann's 20+

.....and an honorable mention goes to the Bandit 400's

5BL,

Any experience with Poe's 400s, I have them but don't fish them much. This is the year I conquer my crankbait phobia. LOL

Ronnie

5bass reply :

Ronnie,yes the Poe's 400's are great cranks.They deflect well and float up fast like a good deep crank should. I just get deeper with the DT16's and DD22's,thats why I prefer them over the Poe's. Whenever I find fish in 10-13 ft of water,I will throw that 400 and in my opinion,they are great cranks for the money.

My only knock against the Poe's cranks is they need to get some different paint schemes....the basic colored baits (shad,chartreuse) are decent but the others are way behind the times.

dink reply :

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see any mention of Bagleys DB3. I am by no means a deep crankbait guy. I have some Poes 400s that I have thrown on and off for about six years to no success. Yet, I started throwing a DB3 a little this last year and caught some good fish. Judging by some of the responses, I am giong to have to expand my arsenal a bit (yes monkey... I hear you).

Chris reply :

I like Poe's 400 but mine has had a lot of work done to it so it isn't much like the one you can buy. Rapala DT is a good deep bait Hot lips is another good one, Bagley Original Diving B, Fat Free shad, Deep Down Fat Rap Rapala. <- one of my favorites Bagley would be the other favorite

Chris reply :

Quote
Any place for lipless crankbaits in deep waters? I have very little experience with deep bass (12 + feet) however, I plan on targeting deep structure this year. Will a lipless cranks in the 3/4 oz range stay deep enough or is a fat lip necessary to keep it deep to bounce off the bottom?
FD

Yes you can slow roll a heavy 3/4 oz rattletrap style bait deep and be very effective. You just got to count it down to the depth you need it in. Two things that will help get this bait in and out of sticky cover one is change the hooks to triple grip hooks the other is change the split rings to oval rings. The hooks because the points are bend inward will help it from sticking stuff and the oval rings restricts the swing of the hook so the hook stays behind the bait without the wild swing. Rattletrap bait don't have much of a pivot like a crankbait so in this instance the vibration of the bait doesn't move the hook as much and oval rig really kills the hook movement from side to side. On some crankbaits I use the oval ring because the bait swing or pivot really swings the hook and I stick more fish. Another good bait for deep cranking is a countdown weighted crankbait. You can also rig the crankbait on a Carolina rig and fish a shallow runner in 20 ft of water if you wanted to.

Chris reply :

Ok last tip if you want to get a deep runner deeper just slide a bullet weight up your line before you tie on your bait. It won't hinder the action at all and depending on how much you add depends on how much deeper you bait will run.

MarVaBC reply :

Thanks guys for the suggestions!!! My nearest Bass Pro Shops is 10min away....which = trouble.

Fishing Doug reply :

Quote
Ok last tip if you want to get a deep runner deeper just slide a bullet weight up your line before you tie on your bait. It won't hinder the action at all and depending on how much you add depends on how much deeper you bait will run.

Chris-peg the weight or let it slide free?

Chris reply :

I have done both. If the lip of the bait is small then I peg the weight up above the bait if the lip is wide then I don't peg it.

Rattlinrogue reply :

Like you,I have a pretty nice collection of Norman DD22's and Rapala DT16's.I really like these baits.They have caught me some bass in the last few years.Also use the slightly shallower version of the Normans deep divers.In my main lake,18 feet is about as deep as it gets.

Catt reply :

How about Bagley Kill'r B or DB3 Dredge

Any one use them?

CJ reply :

CATT,I throw Bagley's DB3 with the lead under the lip.

I am a fan of Poe's,DT16,Bomber Fat Free Shad,LC Flat CB D-20 and D-12.

Stringjam reply :

Anything down to around 11-14 feet I'll have on a Poe's Comp Cedars 4400 (based on the old 400 Plus). It's capable of more depth if you wanna try (Fritts can get them to 20.......I'm not Fritts.. ) The Fat Free Shad and DD22 are also good picks for this range - - but the 4400 is my confidence bait.

The Lee Sisson P-20 is a bait I didn't have a lot of time to spend with last year but I definitely liked what little time I had. No trouble getting this one to 17'......Great deep crank for digging through heavy brush.....nice hard kicking action that you can feel all the way down (miles better than the DB3 Mags that were supposedly Bagley's best deep divers).

Catching Concepts XDC3 is another bait that I haven't gotten to spend a lot of time with, but I was impressed with......going to spend a lot of time with this one this summer. Flat sided and a completely different profile and vibe than any other 15+ diver I've used. Reviews to follow...

The best diver I've ever used for getting around the 16-19' mark is hands down a Poe's Comp Cedars 4500 Long Reach. Casts like a rocket and dives like a sub, and without half as much strain as something like a Luhr-Jenson 3/4 Hot Lips, which is about the only bait I can get as deep. Feels a lot like a DD22, only it dives much deeper.

As with most wooden baits though, these things have to be maintained --- get some Devcon 2-Ton Epoxy from Wal-Mart and seal up any chips that occur.

9817

Best Deep Cranks 2025

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