Can anyone recommend any crankbaits that run anywhere in between 8 and 20 ft? I am looking to buy some deeper crankbaits and this is the range of depths I need to get some for. I would prefer to not spend more than $8-$10 per crankbait (and preferably less). I was thinking of the Rapala DT series or Strike Kings but I've heard of the rapalas breaking and the strike kings not running well. I will be throwing these crankbaits with a BB1 5.1:1 on a G Loomis GL2 847 C CBR (7' Heavy Moderate) and 30lb Sufix 832 Lo-Vis braid. Thanks  

I am progressing into the cranking too.... I will be throwing dt10, 12, 14 along with 5xd and 6xd

 

the only time I have really broken a DT series is when I am slapping the water getting grass off.

DT's

Norman

Bomber Fat Free Shads (my favorite for over 10ft)

Bandit (8-12ft)

Strike King

 

all priced within where you want to be..

Brian, I think you have the Dobyns 764CBRM and that rod will throw every bait I just mentioned.

 

 

that's what I am planning on, I cant wait.

 

while we are talking about brand do yall want to talk about color too? (not wanting to hijack)

I will keep it very basic.... 2 colors for me personally, anymore and its too much thinking

I think in the DTs helsiki shad is a must....... strike king is chartruse sexy and citrus shad.

 

 

 

also 6th sense 250s and 300s are great looking cranks to check out and they get really good reviews. I am going to try a few of those too, and they are in your price range.

luck- e- strike is another great cheap brand..... designed by Rick CLunn himself

Colors per region? The light and water conditions dictate for me what color to use. I buy just about every color each lure comes in. Do to the different and changing light and water conditions we need all these colors.

I preach this many times when the bite slows down change your lure size and or color. If the light conditions get darker go brighter in lure color. (At dusk & twilight) If the bite slows down and the light is the same go larger in lure size.(The bigger fish come closer to see what the smaller fish are feeding on. They want a meal not a snack) Your in control of the game.

Play to win.

spro little johns - smaller profile for the depth than most - good quality - a little pricey but very good lures 5'to 20'

I got a KVD 6xd at Walmart for $1.50 on clearance... Only had one or I would have gotten more

For that range my #1 bait is a SK 5 series in gizzard shad or chart. blue back. These will run you about $6 each and they out fish any other bait including LC for me. For the 5-10' range I would also look at some Bandit 200 or 300 baits which cost about the same.

 

Allen

I have 100s of crankbaits. My favorites are Strike King 5XDs and 6XDs. Wait for sales and get some in sexy shad, bluegill and chart/blue.

I won't disagree with anything you just shared. Each of us have specific conditions that dictate what color(s) we use. I said "hot" colors. Every region does have it's own hot colors. Sales results prove that out. The Yamamoto grub and Hula Grub in color 176 out sells all other colors in my region. The crayfish in the Columbia River are almost coffee black with blue tipped claws that eventually transition to orange. The forage base also dictate colors and patterns for consideration. I'm not throwing a shad pattern when I have no shad. Sorry to get off topic.

My first 10 plus pounder was caught with a Rapala Original Minnow size 11 Rainbow Trout patern ........ There are no Rainbow Trout in the waters that fish was caught, my PB was caught with a Rapala Shad Rap size 7 Shad pattern .......there is no Shad in the waters that fish was caugh, the forage base means .....nothing.

Strike King Series 5, 5XD, 6, and 6XD will cover those ranges well and I have dozens, never had one that didn't run right out of the box.

Bandit Ledge 250

Bomber Fat Free Shads

luck- e- strike is another great cheap brand..... designed by Rick CLunn himself

These are definitely not bad for the price... But I would definitely change out the hooks. I have bought some that have the dullest hooks right out of the package. If you change the hooks though you are still saving a lot.

I really like the Spro John Crews crankbaits... And have several but for half the price the Rapala DT series are amazing. I have more Rapala DT's than anything else. The DT series are durable, if you don't slap them in the water, and get to their depth real quick.

Mann's +20  Chrome Blue Black

 

Mann's Stretch 15+ & 20+

the norman dd22 is the cheapest deep diver I know of, the name suggests it runs 22' the package suggests it runs about 18 tops.

 

You need a couple to cover that range. Sure you could take a little john dd and grind it in the bottom at six feet, that wont make it effective.

A lot of bass are  caught grinding deep divers in water half as deep (or less) as they run - but I was thinking of at least two baits for the depth range we're talking about.

 

You need a couple to cover that range. Sure you could take a little john dd and grind it in the bottom at six feet, that wont make it effective.

 

I rememebr the story from Bull Shoals a few years ago...... the pros were wearing a bill off in a days fishing because the fish wanted a crank grinding on the bottom.... if it wasnt grinding they werent biting.

 

granted, that is an EXTREME set of events.

 

I do agree and think for 10-20 foot you need probably 4 to really cover the column.... you might be able to get away with 3, but I am looking for 4 for my personal needs.