djmax22

Black Amber Banana Seed

I have the 7' version of this stick. The 7' version handles heavier lures. The 7'6" version is made for ripping lipless cranks. I really like this rod and I use it for all cranks. If you want a rod exclusively for deep cranking, I would suggest taking a look at the 8' cranking rod made by Dobyns. I hear nothing but good things about that rod.

You want the longest rod you can find when fishing deep crankbaits 7'6" or longer would be ideal. I have 7'0" but my next rod will be probably be a 8' rod. You need longer cast to allow the crank to get to the required deep so it is in the strike zone longer. Also line choice I tend to stick with mono b/c it strecthes. A smaller diameter line will also allow the crank to run deeper. I tend to use either 8 or 10# mono for deep divers.

Wow. That is ~80 yds. d**n that is a bomb.

If you arent getting bit after two hours how can you be confident you are throwing the right lure? Personally, early morning I am always changing. Typically I give a crank 20 cast or so before changing. Somedays I cant really establish a pattern and will catch one fish on different types of lures. My buddy is constantly changing and he does a much better job than me establishing a pattern.

I cant ever seem to get bit with Rapala cranks. I have a ton of them. Great designs, nice patterns and they run true I just have a problem getting bit. I find myself reaching more and more for a Norman or a lucky craft.

Yeap summer time for me is DD22 time. Havent had as much success this year, but the DD22 is one of my favorites cranks.

Good info here. This is my 3rd year I have been using cranks on a regular basis. First year caught a few fish. Last year I started gaining confidence in them. This year I throw cranks over 50% of the time. That is how much confidence I have in them. I can always dig into the box to find a crankbait that will get bit. Stringjams suggestion of burning it as fast you can reeling and killing it has been really productive for me this year. Next time you go out on the water only bring your crankbaits that way you will force yourself to experiment. It has become my favorite way to fish for bass.

I have the V6 bag. I think it is great. I bought this bag b/c I had problem with every BPS tackle bag I owned. No problems so far. I have about 12 of the Falcon boxes that I trade in and out depending where I am going. Only problem with the boxes, is that they need to make a small fat crankbait box. Other than that no complaints.

one of my best fishing days ever was using a C-rigged watermelon candy centipede.

Does nayone know where I can find extra large hook bonnets. All I can find is the large size. Thanks.

I dont think he is talking about the 2008 LTB rods but rather the Legend elites. The LTB were just redesigned for this year and the new rods St croix revealed at ICAST were new legend elite models.

I used to close by reeling until I heard Ike mention on TV to always close the reel manually.

I asked TT this same question. The 955 will be the last swimbait rod to be reviewed. That being said I own two of these rods the 955 and the 957. I was so impressed with the 955 I bought the 957. The 955 is a nice stick handles everything up to the 8" Hud. Although rated for the Hud,, I feel that the 8" Hud puts a lot of strain on the 955. So if you are throwing Huds go with the 956 or 957. I bought the 957 to throw the HUD and the 10" Rago tool. Handles those two swimbait with ease.

Small baits will get bit more, but produce smaller fish. The results from using big swimbaits speak for themselves.

The only problem I have had with the Rage tail is driving the hook home. This bait gets bit. I have had a lot of success waking the bait a few inches below the suface and then killing it. Great product.

Save your money and either get a 3:16 Baby Wake and/or a Daiwa Dead or Alive. You can also get a blemished lunker punker for $30 at black dog baits website. All three of these baits are poven swimbaits.

Keep practicing. Have you tried adjusting the braking system?

7'6" for pitchn' and 7'11" for flippn'. I would say get a 7'6" and try it out and if you dont like it get the 7 footer.

After trying most of the major brands I have came back to XPS Fluorocarbon with KVD line conditioner. I couldnt be happier with its performance. P-Line Fluorocarbon is not bad either.

Thanks RW. That is the one I use too. ;D Have you ever tried using this frog in open water? I have only thrown it around grass.

If you had to choose one, which frog would you get?

You can sometimes pick up a Pointer at Cablas or Dicks on the cheap in their clearance section. I know I have picked up several Sammys and LC cranks for ~$10. If you get a $10 off coupon from Dicks if you spend $50 that also helps. My local Dicks always has Rapalas 20% off.

I havea 5:1 for deep divers, but for medium to shallow cranks I have started to burn them. Like Natural, I have come full circle too.

I have this reel Pros: Very smooth Con: Heavy for its class. Still a solid high speed reel. I would holdout until this model goes on super clearance or until the new reels come out at the same price point. Great reel for frogs.