Hey guys, I'm looking to order some new shallow-mid and deep diving crankbaits tomorrow for the tournaments this year. It would be really helpful if you could reply with a few of each of your favorites and your favorite color pattern for each. I've read multiple threads on the forums but they were somewhat old. Looking for the latest and greatest! I appreciate it!

Strike king 5xds 6xds 3xds in chart shad have always been my fav

Shallow-  Storm Arashi Squarebill size 3 and 5 in Bluegill, Rusty Craw, and Crappie

Deep-  Rapala DT in Parrot and Shad

Welcome to the forums.  Latest and greatest?  I would suggest the old proven ones in the past threads to start.  You are wanting to fish tournaments trying the new "latest and greatest" ideas probably isn't a good idea.  Proven would be much better.  With that said Strike King makes everything you may be looking for from the shallow squarebill (latest) to the 10XD, and everything in between.  I fish the shallow squarebills(all sizes and both the shallow and regular squarebill) for 1-5ft of water, Series 3 and 3XD(6-12ft) and then 5XD and 6XD's etc.  Throw in a couple Norman DD's, Wiggle Warts, and Shad Raps you have covered everything from 1ft to 20ft.

Shallow - Rapala DT4, Bomber Square A, KVD 1.5, Norman Mad N, Norman Fat Boy

Medium - Rapala DT6, Bandit 200, Bomber 6A, Excalibur Fat Free Fry

Deep - Rapala DT10 and DT20, SK 3xd and 5XD, Bandit 300, Spro Little John Baby DD and regular DD, Excalibur Fat Free Shad Jr. And Fat Free Shad

 

For colors I like bluegill, red craw, brown craw, chartreuse craw, shad, fire tiger, ect

I'm a big fan of the Academy brand cranks (H20 Xpress) - you can use the money you save on the latest and greatest sonar.

DEEP: For cranking points, humps, and rocks, my go to is Norman DD22. Sexy Shad, White/black splatter back. For dirty water a chartreuse/blue back. If I'm cranking deep trees, tops, or brush I'll go with a Strike King 6xd because the bill is wider and deflects WAY better. Same colors as the norman.

 

 

MID CRANKS: Pretty much the same setupas deep... Norman Deep Little N for sparse cover and SK 5xd, Series 4 or 5. I've also started throwing Arashi 10's if I need to burn the bait quickly.

 

SHALLOW: Lucky Crafts if you want to pay a premium. Strike King for something more affordable. H20 Xpresses are fine too

Manns minus 1 all ya need

Anything strike king,lucky craft,or duo realis will work just fine.      Mite as well throw megabass into the mix as well.

Shallow-H2O, Bandit, Strike King 1.5.

Deep-Strike King 3XD, 5, 5XD, 6, 6XD, 8XD, Bandit 250 Ledge, Luck E Strike Smoothie and Freak. 

Shallow - Older Lucky Craft RC series....can't be beat....also add in the River2Sea Biggie Sqarebills or Spro Little Johns.

Deep - SK 8/10XD or DD22

One thing to keep in mind,  lipless cranks can be fished as deep as you want .

My newer deep crank that Im liking is the 6th Sense 250 md.    But its more like medium-deep, rather than you know, deep-deep.  But, great bait.

I'm a big fan of the Academy brand cranks (H20 Xpress) - you can use the money you save on the latest and greatest sonar.

This is my take on it. I fish the Cabela's crankbaits. I have a few SKs and Bombers but I go back to the Cabela's. I'm sure it's a confidence thing in their products. I bought a crankbait model Tournament ZX rod and it changed my game.

For shallow, I throw primarily Dig-Its (2") in Hot Bass, Bombay & Lime, Bluegill, and Orange Craw depending on time of year and water conditions. If I'm on Kentucky or Barkley, I upsize to Pork Chops (2.75") In regular or flat side.

Medium depth, I throw mostly Grave Diggers (2") and Pork Chops. It depends on the cover, structure, water clarity, and fish activity.

Deep, I throw mostly Pork Chops And almost exclusively in a chartreuse blue back or citrus color.