I use the Strike King 3 XD as my favorite small deep diver in depths of 7 to 12 feet. However it's casting distance is just mediocre. I picked up a couple Berkley Dredger 10.5s today, and automatically noticed they are heavier at 1/2 an ounce. How do they fish in comparison, depth wise, effectiveness, and also do they cast noticeably further than the 3XD?

I am definitely not a fan of any of those baits Berkley came out with. A 3xd can be excellent when the conditions are right for it!

12 minutes ago, iceintheveins said:

I use the Strike King 3 XD as my favorite small deep diver in depths of 7 to 12 feet. However it's casting distance is just mediocre. I picked up a couple Berkley Dredger 10.5s today, and automatically noticed they are heavier at 1/2 an ounce. How do they fish in comparison, depth wise, effectiveness, and also do they cast noticeably further than the 3XD?

Article in B.A.S.S. Times, Apl 2017 has a Dave Fritts article on the Dredger series crank baits. Dave says he can cast the 10 series about 45 yards, keep in mind Dave is a expert long caster.

Tom

I haven't fished mine yet but I've liked all of the new baits from Berkley that I've tried (which is all of them except the Dredger). Seems to be a slightly larger bait than the 3XD, but pretty close. I'm going to bet it has a wider wobble though, which might be a factor if your fish are liking the tighter wobble of the 3XD. 

On 4/6/2017 at 11:54 PM, everythingthatswims said:

I am definitely not a fan of any of those baits Berkley came out with. A 3xd can be excellent when the conditions are right for it!

What don't you like about them? I've only fished the Warpig and Cutter 110 so far. 

I have limited experience with the dredger, but already love them.

They cast farther and dive faster.

I suspect they will be my deep divers of choice

According the Dave Fritz the Dredger has a tighter wobble to achieve less water drag and faster easier diving. I haven't tried the Dredger yet but it looks interesting and easier retrieve at deeper depths for a deep diver is hard to pass up.

Tom

 

11 hours ago, WRB said:

According the Dave Fritz the Dredger has a tighter wobble to achieve less water drag and faster easier diving. I haven't tried the Dredger yet but it looks interesting and easier retrieve at deeper depths for a deep diver is hard to pass up.

Tom

 

That's interesting to hear. I haven't fished it but looking at the wider body and bill, I assumed it probably had a bit wider wobble. Waiting for the moss to die off the rocks a bit before I break mine out but I'll be interested to get to see it in action. 

I havent fished the dredger yet, but i have thrown the warpig and cutter 110. The hooks are sharp! Pierced my ear on accident one day casting in the yard

I used the 10.5 for a bit today . I like the way it felt and it dove fast , tight action . I didnt catch anything with it but had a  good general impression .  It ran perfectly straight  , the only crank I threw today that I didnt have to tinker with . .

I'm going to have to try these. I've never been wow'ed by a deep-diving crankbait.

Fished with it once and caught a couple little ones already. Definitely casts further than the 3xd, but not dramatically so. I'd say the diving depth is roughly the same but it has a tighter action. Definitely a series I'll have to fill out (oh great says my wallet).

I'll do a lot of deep cranking come summer .I bought one in each size all Fire Tiger . The one on the end is a Rebel Deep Wee R , courtesy of Whitwolf .