When it comes to deep cranking, reaching new depths is often the key to success. In the recent past anglers would go with ultra light lines, huge lengths of line, even added weight to try and reach increased depths.

Today its as simple as opening the package and throwing one of a variety of extra-deep diving crankbaits. This new genre of baits reaches deeper, holds depth better, and calls fish from farther. If you're still resistant to the new trend in "big" cranks, you need to take a look. I'm not saying they're the solution to every problem but they are a whole new genre of bait and every well rounded angler should at least understand their benefits and how they might fit in to his or her arsenal.

If the bass in your lakes are keyed on small baitfish these may not be the right choice for you. If they're keyed on large bait or if they are at depths in excess of 25 feet, these baits definitely have a place in your arsenal.

Many companies are vying for a spot in this genre but only 3 (that I'm aware of at the time of this writing) have successfully entered the category. Those 3 in no particular order are the Lucky Craft Magnum, the Strike King 10 XD, and the 6th Sense 500DD.

From Front to Back: Lucky Craft Magnum, Strike King 10 XD, 6th Sense 500DD, Norman DD22

Fishing these "magnum" size baits is really no different than fishing any other deep diving crank. It may be a little tougher to turn the handle on the reel but the mechanics are all the same. One added benefit is the baits are fairly snag resistant. Because of their overall mass they tend to float out of snags extremely well if the bill itself is what is stuck.

One tip to consider is adding a 2nd split right to the rear treble. By doing this you eliminate torque, making it much harder for the bass to throw the bait. With smaller cranks this isn't critical but with these big, heavy baits, it is very important to keep the odds in you favor.

Pick up one of these new cranks and give it a try. You just might be surprised what is lurking a few feet lower on your favorite ledge!

I love fall fishing! After a long summer the lake finally feels alive again. The baitfish are schooling, the bass are feeding, and the fishermen are wrapping up their tournament seasons. Whether you want to catch more bass, win the AOY race, or win a new boat, these 5 baits will get you headed in the right direction.

Its never easy to limit yourself to just 5 baits but if I had to choose one season to do it, it would be the fall. As the bass group up and feed they become much simpler to target than they were throughout the summer. In no particular order, my top 5 baits are as follows:

1) The jig: The bass are gorging before winter and one of their favorite meals is a crawdad. Stick to a simple craw profile and you'll succeed. There are a lot of great jigs out there including a plethora of colors, head designs, and colors but if I could only choose one it would be the Dirty Jigs 3/4 oz Pitchin' Jig in "Molting Craw". That color, coupled with either a Sweet Beaver-style trailer or a Twin Tail Grub-style trailer creates a phenomenal crawdad imitation.

2) The Spook: Walking-style topwater baits work great through all the summer months but their effectiveness peaks during the early fall. Bass are gorging on baitfish and baits like the super spook (see our video on the top 5 walking baits for ideas) are a perfect imitation. Choose a color you have confidence in but you can never go wrong with whites, silvers, or even a little chartreuse to draw the bass away from the 1000's of other easy meals swimming around. Try The Super Spook in "Okie Shad" or the Rover in "sooner" if you need a place to start.

3) The Glide Bait: Glide baits have taken the industry by storm the last couple years. If you aren't throwing one this fall, you're missing opportunities for great fishing! I'm particularly partial to the S-waver in the 168 and 200 sizes in "Warden" or "Light Trout" (See our S-Waver Video and S-Waver 200 Video to see why) The S-waver is easy to use and won't break the bank but is by no means your only option. Check out the Gan Craft Jointed Claw, Smith Baits Hitch-X, or if you're in to the custom baits, the Hinkle Baits is hard to pass up. These are all baits that we've seen success with over and over again. They're big, but they get bit and fall is a great time to build your confidence!

4) The Deep Crank: Whether you're throwing a big 10XD, a Rapala DT-Series (because Ike says so), a slim profile like the Deep Six, or my old standby DD-22 you can't go wrong with a deep crank. We throw a lot of the shad patterns including those with lavender, chartreuse, or brown backs. We even branch in to the craws a bit. Whatever it is you choose, the deep crank will let you cast farther and reach deeper to catch those fish other anglers are overlooking.

5) The Lipless Crank: Who could possibly overlook this crank? Whether you're burning through the fading grass, fanning flats, or ripping off the bottom around docks and cover, the lipless is probably the most versatile bait during the fall. Again, stick to the shad patterns. If I could only choose one lipless it would be the Lucky Craft LV-500. Like many Western anglers I've discovered the benefits of the fast sinking, loud rattling bait. Try Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow, Wakin if the fish are really active, or even Crack if the water has some stain to it.

What "Top 5" list would be complete without fudging and including some extras? Because 5 baits really is tough to do, the rest of the baits that really should have made the cut are the Swim Jig (California Swim Jig to be exact), the Flutter Spoon, The Jerkbait (ripbait if you live on the west coast), and the paddle tail swimbait (I'd go with the 6" basstrix or 4.8 Keitech on a Dirty Jigs Swimbait head).

Put these baits to work for you and have a great fall. Good luck out there!

Is your favorite bait on the list? Did I miss something? Let's hear what's on your top 5 list.

Extra Deep Diving Crankbait Tips

Fall Bass Fishing: Top 5 Baits

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