Crankin river smallies

I love crankin for smallies when they’re in the shallow runs but was wondering if anyone has any experience with using deeper cranks like a Dives To-6 or Dives To-10 when they move to deep pockets? I was thinking of getting a medium veritas winch cranking rod for crankin smallies. Let me know your thoughts on DT’s for smallies

They work. Did you see Palunik on the Mississippi river a couple years ago?

Guess I watched it but didn’t realize he was using a DT. That the one he was dq’ed in?

I throw a lot of Norman Deep Little N ‘s that run about 12-14′ when the smallies are relating to deer rocks. Just make sure you match a good crank rod to the load. I see a lot of guys using a 6-6 or 7’ medium and and miss quite a few hooksets

ottomatica wrote:

They work. Did you see Palunik on the Mississippi river a couple years ago?

If you are referring to the Elite Tourney out of La Crosse, he was fishing a crank that was not out on the market.

FDR

I watched that event tonight and to me it looked like he was throwing A DT in blue back herring.

Pretty sure he was throwing the Arashi cranks.

It was the Arashi cranks, just saying, basically the same category of cranks.

Is there a big difference in action? 9 bucks for a plastic bait like the arashis when a balsa like the DT is 7.

I wouldn’t say they are equivalent in action, more so in shape and diving depth. I think the Arashi is probably more aggressive in action and sound.

I wouldn’t feel any less confident throwing either and there are a lot of brands out there that will catch fish. Both are great crankbaits.

You can get pretty nuanced with any particular crankbait right?

The water was ripping during that tournament and probably a bit stained. That would probably lend itself better to louder, more aggressive baits.

For this depth range I’ve had good luck with DTs, the Arashis, the shad rap style X-Rap, Strike King’s 3’s and 5’s, Bandits and Normans (you can find these in clearance aisles quite often).

ottomatica wrote:

It was the Arashi cranks, just saying, basically the same category of cranks.

Look closely, he was throwing DT-6. Can’t listen to what they say they are throwing.

You’re right, the one you can see in the youtube video is a DT, I think if you have the HD video you will see the Arashis as well though; in fact at 6:18 and 9:28 you will see the Arashi. It’s the square bill though. They came out with the more DT like ones a year or two later.

I’ve looked at many cranks in the same style. I was interested in the DT because of it being a balsa bait. Also I see berkley made a new one this year called the digger that looks interesting. As for square bills, has anyone tried the 6th sense movement. It looks like it has a mean hunting action. What’re your guys’ favorite square bills?

I haven’t used any of the sixth sense movement baits yet, but the body style (shape) is intriguing. Looks like it would have a a very aggressive action that would be between a “wobble” and a tight wiggle. I would be interested to see how the 80X is at deflecting off of stuff.

I like the Arashis, the KVDs and I have had some Poes that were just awesome, hit and miss on those.

What about wiggle warts?4 bucks for a plug seems like a steal and a half. Seems like older storm lures dont get much recognition or it may just be theyre secrets haha

I haven’t tried them personally for smallies but I know there is a big following for them down south, especially the pre-rapala ones. They catch fish, that’s for sure.

I’m a little late to the discussion. I fish the River north of Brainerd in the Fall. They hit on DT-10’s and 14’s. Have had luck with some deep diving KVD crank as well. They seem to work well as long as the water temp is above 50.

smbfinatic wrote:

What about wiggle warts?4 bucks for a plug seems like a steal and a half. Seems like older storm lures dont get much recognition or it may just be theyre secrets haha

There are a lot of baits like that. They get a lot of love in one region, and nothing in another. I feel for the buyers walking the isles at ICAST. Thousands of good baits to choose from and what do you put in your store and what do you exclude??? No dealer can afford to offer them all

Some odd ball Rapalas like clackin cranks and the like on sale on the tables in Gander aren’t too bad either. And cheap. Even the old Hot N Tot works.