June 23rd. Baxter Area

[Royal Blue]

3 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

I’m guessing your right. I just don’t crank with much other than a Wart or RK Crawler. Don’t really have a rod for those 17’ to 22’ crank baits. I just don’t do that. 

I might invest in one however. 

I did watch a KVD video of deep crankin ledges with a 6 XD and he was using a 7’ 4” Heavy Lew’s Crank bait Rod.  Full Graphite.  They have some blends up to 7’10” but the lure weight does not support that 1 oz. 6XD so he cranks with that 7’4” Heavy that supports up to a 2oz. Bait. 

He said never to use a rod that does not support the weight of the lure your throwing with it.  

He said a lighter rod just wears him out as he has to physically pull the bait. Said the Heaver rod for deep crankin is easier for him. 

Please let me know what you all use for theses 17’ to 20’ plus deep diving cranks. 

Might I ask what 7’6” rod your throwing your XD on? 
Thanks. 




 

I have a BPS crankin' stick but just got the new Lew's XD series 6XD rod.  It's awesome and perfect for these baits obviously.  I also have a Dobyn's Champion XP 765 that I have loved for 5 and 6 XDs.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Bill, what about the old Cara Deep Cranker? Ive had one for a while but havent used it a ton. I did use it last year a bit for the first time and it seemed good, I plan on trying more this year.

[rps]

Some years ago, I encountered a difficulty trolling for large walleye. I had multiple hits where I did not hook up. I had more where they were on for 2 to 10 seconds. Frustrated, I asked for comments and advice.

The advice I received was the equivalent of what your buddy, Bill Beck, said about hook sets. Don't set the hook, keep reeling.

In terms of set up this meant stepping down in power and action of the rod. I changed from MH with fast action to Medium with Mod Fast action. Hits became hook ups and hook ups became fish in the boat.

I would try a 7'6" rod with a medium to medium heavy power and a Mod Fast action. Once you become accustomed, you can launch cranks into the next time zone. The rod may flex more on the crank, but from mid on down, you will have the power to crank.

On a related note, now that you are fishing for yourself, why not upgrade you own stuff to Deathtraps and Gamakatsu G Finesse. It is not like you are buying baits for clients.

You earned it.

 

 

[Bill Babler]

Talked to McClelland and he thought the deep cranker was a bit to heavy for his taste however he said he just does not deep crank. 

He thought I was rolling gar as he said this happens all the time on Grand. I know now that was the problem, the 3’ to 5’ long gar are so thick I was hitting them with the crank bait. When a bass bit I caught it. 

As far as the hooks you would think a bait right out of the box that had never been in the water would work for at least one morning. To tell the truth no more often than I do that I didn’t want to waste expensive hooks on it. 

I’m sure most of the Cranker’s here don’t immediately change the hooks on new XD cranks. Correct me if I’m wrong. 

I like the idea of the 7’ 11” that Fish is using but go back to KVD saying never use a rod that does not support the weight of your bait.  

I will look into the 6XD ROD. As if I really need another stick. 

Thanks all I appreciate your thoughts 





 

[Alex Heitman]

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_XD_Series_Crankbait_Casting_Rods/descpage-LXD.html

have the 8XD one and throws 6XD-8XD baits great and other heavy swim baits. 

[Bill Babler]

1 hour ago, Alex Heitman said:

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_XD_Series_Crankbait_Casting_Rods/descpage-LXD.html

have the 8XD one and throws 6XD-8XD baits great and other heavy swim baits. 

That would be the one. 

[Smithvillesteve]

I got a 7'4" St Croix Glass Cranking rod for Christmas. MH Power Moderate Action. I havent used it very often as i am not a real big deep crank guy. But did use it last monday down at Pomme for awhile. Was throwing a 6XD. It just almost felt too stiff for me but a 5lb flathead loaded up on it real nice. And like you boys say, that heavier rod makes it a lot easier for throwing a 6XD. I just ordered a Lews David Fritts Cranking rod from TW to throw lighter cranks on like the RK, Wart, DT's etc. It got good reviews for the price. 99 dollars.

[Bill Babler]

Been involved with Lews pretty much since they really started to care about 12 years ago. I have lots of baitcasters that I really like. I have never seen a company go thru so many different rods. 

They have time and time again dropped or discontinued rod lines. They’re spinning rods weight a ton and are flat as heck and really all the casting rods I have used were heavy and flat. 

Have not used any of the new signature models however so these reports you all are giving is a step in the right direction for them. 

May have to give the XD A test flight   


 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

On 6/25/2022 at 8:12 AM, Bill Babler said:

Talked to McClelland and he thought the deep cranker was a bit to heavy for his taste however he said he just does not deep crank. 

 

I played around a little more with my Cara Deep Cranker today, Im not a huge deep cranker either but i thought it was great, I have a old Lews BB1 with 12lb on it and i was throwing the Berkeley Dredger 20.5 and it would fling that thing a mile, I even caught a couple little guys on it, you could barely tell they were even hooked, those baits dig and pull so hard, Definitely an art to learning to feel the bite with a big crank like that