I know personal preference starts a debate, but if you didn't have any deep diving crankbaits, what would you consider the "must have" colors to start with?

shad color for clear water and a chartreuse color for stained/muddy water

When deep cranking I usually go with a dark bait, action and vibration pattern are much more important to me than color. Should add here that I rarely fish clear water. Florescent purple & black

I second exactly what gman said

Gman hit the nail on the head.

Whittler, did you paint that yourself? Never seen a color like that. Very, very nice.

I try to keep it simple. I usually fish these baits (DD22) in mid to late summer on deep ledges, and you're trying to imitate shad.

Clear= shad

Stained= chartreuse / blue back, or firetiger

I use craw colored cranks in the smaller, shallower divers mostly in spring and fall when fishing 10 ft or less.

Ditto the Shadcranker. Especially the 300/400 Series Poes, chart/blue back. My personal favorite.

boondocks, yes I did make and paint that crank.

Tennesse Shad,chartuese/green or blue back,American Shad(chrome sided),green back/pearl sides,Citrus Shad,just to name a few.

boondocks, yes I did make and paint that crank.

What kind of depth do you get from that crank?  (BTW...checked out your website, looks like some nice stuff).  

Whittler: I sent you a PM

If I had to pic one deep crank, it would a Chartreuese w/ black back DD22

If I had to pic one deep crank, it would a Chartreuese w/ black back DD22

Funny, so would I, of course that is because I ONLY have one deep diving crankbait so my decision process is pretty easy.

I don't use the rule of light and dark colors for clear and dirty water.  This color has worked well in both conditions.

The two cranks on this posting are works of art.  I wouldn't be able to put them in the water, they'd get all wet and fishy!  

This is my favorite deep crank for muddy water: TD Super Crank

Hey t-rig

You stole the paint job off my '68 camaro LOL

Sorry Avid!!

Hey t-rig

You stole the paint job off my '68 camaro LOL

Ide also say the DD22 is a great deep diver