end electronics, so it is widely available to the majority of anglers.
DEFLECTIONS
Deep diving crankbaits come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and diving depths, but for the sake of comparison, let us explore those crankbaits that reach or exceed 10-feet.
Most have medium drag resistance, are able to quickly achieve their diving depth and are mid-sized lures that can match a variety of baitfish/prey. The importance of their movement comes from the shape of the bill and the side to side wobble that the body brings with each and every rotation of your reel handle. Deflecting the crankbait is the most important key to triggering bites.
It is not uncommon to make repeated casts to a particular stretch of rock wall, only to catch a fish on cast 10, 15 or 20. While most of the aggressive fish eat the bait immediately, there are times where a lot of patience can payoff.
Holding your rod tip down and letting that crankbait really grind into the rocks has been the most successful. Beat them up, crack them and destroy them – deep cranking is meant to shake things up.
ROD POSITION
Rod position is one of the most important aspects to deep cranking riprap.
Paralleling the shoreline is very important too. In casting towards the shore, the angler leaves many areas of untouched rocks and nearby fish. While they may travel more so now than in the summer, leaving untouched rocks goes against the entire foundation of deep cranking riprap. Parallel your target, dig deep and maintain deflections with a low rod tip. All of these will help you load up on that next fish.
BAITS
There are two lures that I rely on for deep cranking riprap: Rapala’s DT10 and Strike King’s 6XD. Many would dismiss the DT Series from any sort of “abuse” since it is made from Balsa wood, but it has been one of my best choices for targeting smallmouth and largemouth bass.
The difference here is the 17+ foot diving depth of the 6XD and the increased durability. Both are excellent crankbaits that allow me to target different parts of the water column.
FALL 2015
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