Wingdam Cranks

I’m getting ready to start fishing wingies and I’m stocking up on cranks. I’ve got a slug of rattlin’ fat raps (not the glass version… yukkk), bombers and I was thinking about broadening my selection by adding some bandit cranks. I’ve used the 100 and 200 series for bass in the past and done well. I’ve never tried casting the 300 & 400 series but if they perform like the smaller-billed brotheren I’m sure I’ll be pleased with their performance. I did come across a new product from Bandit, called the Deep Flat Maxx. Dives to 12′ on a cast and comes in some colors that caught my attention.

Anyone tried the new Deep Flat Maxx on wingies or anyone have any experience fishing the 300 & 400 series on dams?

Here’s some colors that caught my eye.

This one could be a dandy in dirty water.

Come mid-summer chance are I’m throwing a craw pattern.

That red craw could be a good one but I usually prefer a craw in a color similar to this one.

And a guy has to have a firetiger although I would modify this one with some flourescent orange along the belly.

Those look like the colors in my tackle bag. That red craw has been a great Walleye crank for me.

OK… that’s enough from me. I’m getting back to ordering cranks. If anyone has used the Deep Maxx let me know. I’m going to order a few of each and I’d like to hear from anyone that has given them some water time. I’m most interested to hear how they do in heavy current… do they blow out on the retrieve or do they track straight?

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Those look like the colors in my tackle bag. That red craw has been a great Walleye crank for me.

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Are you throwing the Deep Maxx or are you using the 200, 300 or 400 series?

If anyone’s interested you can find these online at http://www.banditlures.com

I have not tried the Deep Maxx. I wonder how they pull?

That’s what I’m hoping to find out. I’m sure someone has tried them. You usually stick to the 200’s down on your end of the world?

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That’s what I’m hoping to find out. I’m sure someone has tried them. You usually stick to the 200’s down on your end of the world?

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And some 300’s.

This is a good one too!

Nice looking colors and baits. Look pretty similar to the bomber 6A. Was thinking I seen some of them in the gander clearance bin the other day. If not them it was something that looked just like it. I havent spent any time on them yet.

They do indeed like similar to the Bomber 6A’s which are awesome wingie cranks. I know Gander sells the 200 & 300 series Bandits so it wouldn’t surprise me if you came across some of the bigger ones.

James I’ve been a wingdam fisherman for many years and I’ve tossed and pulled all sorts of cranks on wingdams. Everytime I think I have a favorite one a new one surfaces and I’ve got to give it a try. However I began using jointed shadraps (mainly 5’s) a few years ago and I can honestly say that I’ve never used a better deep diving crank especially when casting. If you don’t have at least a few JSR5’s in your assortment I suggest getting a few. The walleyes on the lower pool 4 wingdams love them especially in the blue/white/orange color.

Eyehunter

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If you don’t have at least a few JSR5’s in your assortment I suggest getting a few. The walleyes on the lower pool 4 wingdams love them especially in the blue/white/orange color.

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A few? I wish.

I have… dozens of each color. I love them for trolling. I’ve had fair success on them casting wingies but I usually do better on bombers, etc.

Thanks for the input. Casting cranks on wingies is one heck of a fun way to catch pig walleyes! I particularly like SLoooooooW cranking super-deep divers, like the Down Deep #5 (discontinued but I have a ton of them), off deep wingdam tips. That strike is a heart stopper.

I had very good luck pulling the Mad Cow and Purple Haze in the FMS series. These are the shallower running versions of the deeper brethren. That being said, I found these cranks to run very true right out of the box! They are wider and bigger than a lot of tight runners. I liked them a lot…Until SOMEONE took them out of my boat before the FLW League Tourney…
I was trolling 4 rods in 6-8 FOW over sand flats and gravel. They were killer! I have more coming now.
I am going to run some of the deeper lures on Mille Lacs. I love the profile of the Flat Maxx.
Have you looked at the deep stick baits? I am going to have to look at those really hard. If they can stay in tune better than Reef Runners I will be loading up on those as well!
Did you see the colors?

No, I really didn’t look at the deep stickbaits. I have a bunch of wingdam fishing coming up next week so that was my focus.

Definitely keep us informed once you’ve had a shot at running them out over the basin on mille lacs.

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I had very good luck pulling the Mad Cow and Purple Haze in the FMS series. These are the shallower running versions of the deeper brethren.

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Which one’s were you trolling?

Dude, you have been hanging around BK just a touch too long.

That does look bad though.
I would have to do a little Purple Haze to pull a Mad Cow. Unless I was from WI or SD.

You guys ever pick up some hog smallies on a few select colors out of those bandits??

I love casting cranks at wingdams for eyes in the summer. I love casting the bombers and also the Bomber Flat A’s. I would imagine they’re pretty similar to the Flat A’s.

The jointed shad raps work well, but I have much more success on the fatter baits. I’ve seen many different fat cranks that work well. The biggest thing I find is how deep the cranks get in a short amount of time. When the crank dives right to the face of the dam after you get over the rocks, you’ll get bit. You definately don’t want a slow diver.

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You guys ever pick up some hog smallies on a few select colors out of those bandits??

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I’ve caught a bunch of nice smallies on the 200’s.

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That does look bad though.
I would have to do a little Purple Haze to pull a Mad Cow. Unless I was from WI or SD.

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Ouch Tuck! I was born and raised in SD and now live in WI, but there may be some truth to what you’re saying. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!

For casting wingdams I like throwing Rat-L-Trap style baits, Rapala DT’s, and Bomber Fat A’s. My favorite colors are craw and firetiger.

CR

Cranks on windams? does this actually work

I like the bomber a’s and these look a lot alike. May have to invest in a few to see how they run. but not on wingdams

No need to tell us stickboy we know you and wingdams do not interact at all you even know how to read one of them things in the water

Mad Cow?

Tuck, are you talking about “Wonderbread”???

Similar. Wonder Bread is a Reef Runner color.