Deep diving cranks 2024
riverbasser reply :
My minds already on summer ledges for some reason and im curious what others use for deep diving crankbaits. I'm classifying deep as 20' and up. Also please specify the line you use.
I noticed berkley has a newish diver called the Dredger, it supposedly reaches 26'. Any use this one?
WRB reply :
Beware of lure mfr claims of deep diving lure depths.
The depth may be possible to achieve when trolled with specific line type and diameter behind a boat traveling at optimal speed with 100+ feet of line out.
Casting ant deep diver over 150' and retrieving it to dive to maximum depth is nearly impossible.
What is interesting about the Berkley 21' & 26' deep divers is they are only 3" long.
Take a look at a Scrounger jig, it sinks to whatever depth you need to reach.
Tom
iceintheveins reply :
A 6XD will scratch bottom in 20' of water on a long cast with 10 pound fluoro. I haven't used a crank that runs deeper than it, but for 15' to 20' feet the 6XD is my favorite. As WRB said, a lot of manufacturers will claim their lure runs deeper than it does. It's hard to get a 3" crank that will actually run 20'. I wonder how the Berkley Dredger will do myself.
scaleface reply :
Ive never heard of the Berkely Dredger . I'll be sure to give them a try this year .
Interesting lures . They have a weight in the lip like the old rebel Double Deep Wee R .I'm not one that has to try a lot of new lures but I'm going to get one in each size , probably all in Fire tiger . lol
junyer357 reply :
I had no problems hitting 20+ last year with 8 and 10xd's. I throw them on a 7'10" enigma rod with a tatula 5:1 with 12# flouro.
I have picked up a few deep arashi and other deep cranks to try this year recently.
Catt reply :
Mann's Deepledge, Depth Plus, & EZ30+
Norman's DD22HD
Poe's Competition Cedar Crankbaits
riverbasser reply :
On 1/20/2017 at 11:05 PM, Catt said:Mann's Deepledge, Depth Plus, & EZ30+
Norman's DD22HD
Poe's Competition Cedar Crankbaits
I've never been able to get my DD22 to 20'. This could be my fault not getting a long enough cast or something
Catt reply :
On 1/20/2017 at 11:18 PM, riverbasser said:I've never been able to get my DD22 to 20'. This could be my fault not getting a long enough cast or something
What many people refuse to do!
I do it with traps to 
A-Jay reply :
The following list are baits that are for me, legit 20 ft plus deep divers. There may be others, but these are the ones I've got experience with.
They are almost all fairly larger baits that I can & do throw on 30 lb braid (suffix 832) and believe it or not, on big (20lb) mono.
Bill Norman DD 22 HD Crankbaits
Duo Realis Crankbait G87 20A
Lucky Craft SKT Magnum 120 Mag DR Crankbaits
Strike King 8XD & 10XD Crankbaits
Some are pictured below ~ and just for a size reference, the top bait is a 10XD
FYI @riverbasser - be fore warned - regardless of what some claim, I'm here to say, 8 hours of chunking & winding these baits can test anyone's intestinal fortitude.
A-Jay
WRB reply :
David Fritts stated they rate the Berkley new deep divers using .011 dia line and thought that was important to note. IF Fritts is right about the new designs they will change how deep diving cranks are designed, smaller size with less water resistance that dive deep, can't wait to give these a try out.
Tom
riverbasser reply :
@A-Jay yes I'm aware of that. Throwing the DD22 is basically like fighting a fish all the way to the boat. I don't tend to throw these for long periods unless they are really biting them. I will say that I'm probably not using the best equipment for deep divers as well but what I have works
BTW in your picture you saying the very top bait is a 10xd? If so then the 2 below it are HUGE!
On 1/21/2017 at 4:00 AM, WRB said:David Fritts stated they rate the Berkley new deep divers using .011 dia line and thought that was important to note. IF Fritts is right about the new designs they will change how deep diving cranks are designed, smaller size with less water resistance that dive deep, can't wait to give these a try out.
Tom
I hope they are just as he says. Thanks for that video @scaleface
A-Jay reply :
On 1/21/2017 at 4:00 AM, WRB said:David Fritts stated they rate the Berkley new deep divers using .011 dia line and thought that was important to note. IF Fritts is right about the new designs they will change how deep diving cranks are designed, smaller size with less water resistance that dive deep, can't wait to give these a try out.
Tom
Looking forward to your review Tom ~
This new Berkley bait's shape reminds me of the original wooden Poe's Super Cedar Series baits.
A-Jay
On 1/21/2017 at 4:07 AM, riverbasser said:@A-Jay yes I'm aware of that. Throwing the DD22 is basically like fighting a fish all the way to the boat. I don't tend to throw these for long periods unless they are really biting them. I will say that I'm probably not using the best equipment for deep divers as well but what I have works
BTW in your picture you saying the very top bait is a 10xd? If so then the 2 below it are HUGE!
I hope they are just as he says. Thanks for that video @scaleface
After a bit of time with an Lucky Craft SKT Magnum 120 Mag DR Crankbait, fishing a standard DD22 is like a "rest".
A-Jay
scaleface reply :
I went ahead and ordered the Dredgers , one in each size all Fire Tiger .
Hez reply :
On 1/23/2017 at 7:14 PM, scaleface said:I went ahead and ordered the Dredgers , one in each size all Fire Tiger .
Awesome! Looking forward to hearing how they perform for you! Please keep us updated 
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 1/23/2017 at 8:12 PM, Hez said:Awesome! Looking forward to hearing how they perform for you! Please keep us updated
I have a couple, they're solid baits. The whole Berkley lineup of hard baits has been very productive for me. Nice to have a reasonably priced hardbait option that comes in good colors AND with good hardware.
Hez reply :
On 1/23/2017 at 8:14 PM, Bluebasser86 said:I have a couple, they're solid baits. The whole Berkley lineup of hard baits has been very productive for me. Nice to have a reasonably priced hardbait option that comes in good colors AND with good hardware.
Thanks, I appreciate your input. The good hardware is important
scaleface reply :
On 1/23/2017 at 8:12 PM, Hez said:Awesome! Looking forward to hearing how they perform for you! Please keep us updated
Its going to be awhile before I use those 20 footers ,probably July .
Hez reply :
On 1/23/2017 at 8:24 PM, scaleface said:Its going to be awhile before I use those 20 footers ,probably July .
Understandably.
Gives me one more thing to look forward to. Thank you for that.
iceintheveins reply :
I'm going to buy several of most of the models.
chadmack282 reply :
On 1/20/2017 at 1:06 PM, WRB said:Beware of lure mfr claims of deep diving lure depths.
The depth may be possible to achieve when trolled with specific line type and diameter behind a boat traveling at optimal speed with 100+ feet of line out.
Casting ant deep diver over 150' and retrieving it to dive to maximum depth is nearly impossible.
What is interesting about the Berkley 21' & 26' deep divers is they are only 3" long.
Take a look at a Scrounger jig, it sinks to whatever depth you need to reach.
Tom
Tennessee River Scrounger specifically.
king fisher reply :
Does anyone know how deep old metal lipped plugs like Hellbender, bomber, mudbug, water dog dive?
scaleface reply :
I received the Berkely Dredgers in each size .
10.5 : 9 to 11.5 foot deep
14.5 : 12 to 15.5 foot deep
17.5 : 16 to 19.5 foot deep
20.5 : 20 to 22.5 foot deep
25.5 : 22 to 26 foot deep
Rebel Deep Wee R for comparison
riverbasser reply :
On 2/4/2017 at 9:00 PM, scaleface said:I received the Berkely Dredgers in each size .
10.5 : 9 to 11.5 foot deep
14.5 : 12 to 15.5 foot deep
17.5 : 16 to 19.5 foot deep
20.5 : 20 to 22.5 foot deep
25.5 : 22 to 26 foot deep
Rebel Deep Wee R for comparison
Been wanting to ask you about them. Get em wet yet?
scaleface reply :
On 2/5/2017 at 12:04 AM, riverbasser said:Been wanting to ask you about them. Get em wet yet?
Oh no . I usually dont start fishing until March or April .
scaleface reply :
Here they are profile compared to other baits . Rebel Deep Wee R , Bomber Fat Free Shad , Norman Deep Little N , Rapala CR14 CrankinRap and strike King 6 XD .
riverbasser reply :
On 2/5/2017 at 1:22 AM, scaleface said:Here they are profile compared to other baits . Rebel Deep Wee R , Bomber Fat Free Shad , Norman Deep Little N , Rapala CR14 CrankinRap and strike King 6 XD .
Pretty cool how they compare, I'm drawn to the eyes on them.
I worry about the weighted bill tho. Seems if its not placed perfectly the baitt wouldn't run true meaning a lot of so-so or duds. Depending if you could compensate with adjustments to line tie
NHBull reply :
I am getting ready to order some of the deeper divers and was wondering about color......I am dialed in on my shallow diver, but do the same rules apply 22 feet down?
Thanks Al
scaleface reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 6:14 AM, NHBull said:I am getting ready to order some of the deeper divers and was wondering about color......I am dialed in on my shallow diver, but do the same rules apply 22 feet down?
Thanks Al
The water around here is stained with a thermocline often less than 20 feet . Chartreuse and shad colors have produced well .
dam0007 reply :
8XD worked wonders for me last year as well as the Lucky Craft CB D20.
I have a bunch of Diggers and Dredgers on order won't be using the dredgers till late spring here.
NHBull reply :
On 2/6/2017 at 9:40 AM, scaleface said:The water around here is stained with a thermocline often less than 20 feet . Chartreuse and shad colors have produced well .
Gotcha, I am in the clearest of clear with visibility offer over 10 ft
scaleface reply :
Gave the Dredgers a workout today . I caught my first bass of the year plus 66 more . All but about 25 were caught on Dredgers , the others a texas rigged worm . I caught fish on the 10.5 , 14.5 , 17.5 and 20.5 . The 14.5 caught the most . All the lures tracked true . I was using 12 lb Big Game and the 14.5 touched bottom at 14 foot . the 17.5 touched at 17 foot . They dive as advertised .
The fish were spread out in the water column , a lot of them were caught when the lures were not touching bottom , then a lot were caught on bottom . I did not try the 25.5 . About 10 of them were 15 inch keepers, 3.5 lbs the biggest
riverbasser reply :
Sounds like a good day man, thanks for the update
@scaleface
scaleface reply :
On 2/5/2017 at 3:52 AM, riverbasser said:Pretty cool how they compare, I'm drawn to the eyes on them.
I worry about the weighted bill tho. Seems if its not placed perfectly the baitt wouldn't run true meaning a lot of so-so or duds. Depending if you could compensate with adjustments to line tie
The four I used ran perfectly .
One more note on the Dredger . I cant tell for sure that they have a steeper diving angle but they seemed to stay in the strike zone a long time. I would have the lures close to the boat and still banging bottom and catching bass .
...and the hooks are wicked . I had a heck of a time tying knots because the hooks were continually stuck to my fingers . I was double careful removing hooks .
scaleface reply :
The 14.5 was a joy to use .They have a small profie but are wide and heavy . I was fishing into a stiff wind . This was a small lake and i had to run the trolling motor on high to get to the spot . I actually ran the battery all the way down and barely had enough power to get back in . The 14.5 casted great into the wind . I used a low trajectory side arm cast on a 7 foot med powered rod to get it out there . The bigger baits did not cast as well on my equipment . I need to get a different rod for them . The 14.5 is already one of my favorite lures and if you had to buy just one , this is the one I recommend .
There was a boat fishing the spot before I got there . So I went down a cove and pitched cover waiting for them to leave . When they left I moved in . I dont know what they caught or what they were using but they went across the lake to fish . They saw me catching bass so they parked under a shade tree and just watched for an hour before leaving too a different point to try . They didnt have sonar and were not using buoys. Its hard to stay on fish without them .
riverbasser reply :
I'm guessing the cranks bigger than the 14.5 are too heavy for the rod? I picked up the 14.5 and 20.5 last week to try out. I decided to get the chameleon color and they look much better in person. Hope I can put on a show for somebody when I get to try em
The way you explain them staying down in the zone to me will be the biggest factor. I never feel I get the distance needed with deep diving cranks to keep them on bottom for more than a few feet. This might be a game changer
scaleface reply :
On 6/10/2017 at 11:45 PM, riverbasser said:I'm guessing the cranks bigger than the 14.5 are too heavy for the rod? I picked up the 14.5 and 20.5 last week to try out. I decided to get the chameleon color and they look much better in person. Hope I can put on a show for somebody when I get to try em
The 17 wasnt bad I'm sure I could have launched it if I could have gotten away with an overhand cast . The 20 is too big for this rod , the same as the Strike King 6XD . i use them but cant get the distance . I need a 7'6" rod that will work for pitching too . I only take 4 combos in a jon boat so they have to be multi function .
scaleface reply :
Stopped at a Gander Mountain yesterday , they have a store wide closeout sale going on . Picked up another 10.5 , 14.5 , and 17.5 in bluegill colors . Wanted a crankbait rod for larger baits but they didnt have anything left I liked .
scaleface reply :
I caught a dozen bass , walleye , white bass crappie and a flathead today using the Dredger10.5 .I catch more fish close to the boat with these Dredgers than I remember catching with other cranks . They seem to hold their depth longer .
scaleface reply :
Yesterday I threw 25.5 for the first time at fish that were showing up at the thermocline which was about 22 foot deep on top a long point. Caught an 18 inch keeper on the first cast then a couple more fish including another keeper . Finished out the limit using the 14.5 and 20.5 as I moved shallower . I did not catch a fish on the 17.5 .
The 25.5 was bouncing bottom at 22 foot using 12 lb Big Game .
scaleface reply :
I like the Dredgers so much that I ordered three of the new 8.5 foot model . To get free shipping I got some silent Red Eye Shads and a 1/4 ounce Cavitron buzzbait . That 8.5 should be a killer in a 6 foot honey hole that I have manged to keep secret .
Czorn reply :
All my deep cranking is done with 8lb fluorocarbon. I have caught fish up to 8lbs 12oz and never had a problem. I use H2o cranks from academy.
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