How Deep Can it Go?

[Mike Winthorst]

I joined a while back, have to thank you all for a lifetime of info in short order. Had a couple questions

1) How Deep has anyone ever gotten a crank to go? One that floats at rest not a sinking model.

2) What bill shape do you think is best for getting down, round, coffin, or some type of heart shape like on the bombers?

[BobP]

A couple of years ago, Mark Romanack put out a book on how deep crankbaits get with 14lb line on a 75 ft cast, measured by a diver as cranks were cast and retrieved through an underwater course. The book has dive profiles on numerous crankbaits. The deepest was the 1/2 oz Luhr Jensen Hotlips Express, at over 20 ft. If you've ever seen one, it has a curved cloverleaf shaped bill. I've tried them and while they may get deep, they don't seem to have much vibration like some others, like the DD-22 (which I think goes to about 17-18 ft). Deepest models usually have long bills with rounded ends. What counts is not only how deep a crank gets, but how quickly it gets to depth and how long it stays there. The longer it stays at max depth, the better it will fish.

[Skeeter]

Mike,

You can get a bait to go just about as deep as you want to. The length of the lip is what gives the lure its depth. As just a general rule, you will get about 10 ft. of depth for every inch the lip goes out from the nose of the lure. But like everything else...... type of wood, body shape, weighting, etc. all has an effect on this. But that is a good place to start. To decide what type of lip to use depends on the action that you want the lure to have. That is what is most important. Design a lip that gives the bait the action that you want and then just adjust the length from there. You still may have to adjust the design of the lip, but again it is a good place to start. Another thing to remember is that the farther a lure is casted the deeper it will run. You can take two identical lures and cast one 40 ft. and it may run 10 ft. deep. Take the same lure and cast 60 ft. and it may run 11 ft. So the point is that your equipment plays a roll into how deep you can get a lure to run. If you have any questions send me a PM and I will discuss this further with you.

Skeeter

[Muskiefool]

The bait I am making now runs 30 at my best guess I have yet to sonar it it may be deeper

[fatfingers]

I've had musky cranks down to 35 feet before.

Generally the deeper muskies are inactive so I don't often run baits beyond 16 or 18 feet at the most and even then my confidence begins to drop. I usually troll no deeper than about 14 or 15 feet in my neck of the woods.

[kellure]

I had (key word - had ) a custom weighted DT-16 that reached 21.6'. One of the real keys is having the right equipment and line to cast it a half mile away. I think a somewhat cupped, rounded lip gets down the quickest and deepest. Thats just personal experience though, have no real scientific proof.

[overkill]

You also have to remember that lures will go much deeper being trolled than those on a short cast.

I have had original minnow rapalas hit 6-7 feet deep on the troll, but I guarantee you couldn't do that on a cast.