Bait suggestion please

Posted 12/3/2002 6:10 PM (#3080)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


I am looking for suggestions. I want to get a crankbait that will dive quickly to about 8-12ft when cast, that will give a big erratic twitching action, like say an ernie, but which suspends or rises very slowly. I want something I can hang in their face a bit.
I have a Lindy Big M which I thought might do it, but it seems badly made. I had to drill a load if lead out of it to stop it from sinking like a stone, but I can't find anything else which claims to do a similar job.

Tim

Posted 12/3/2002 6:55 PM (#52163)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


I would go with a Slammer Deep Diver. They are great baits and have a slow rise to it. They are also great to twitch.

Posted 12/3/2002 7:24 PM (#52164)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


My lindy big m's float. I do prefer them better for trolling.

I am not familiar with any big suspending crankbaits, just floating and sinking. You could fill your ernie with vegetable oil, that would help keep it from rising too quickly. Screw in weights work too.

Posted 12/3/2002 8:19 PM (#52165)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


Got two words for you-Dana Bait. The little one dives right down to about 10'-12' using 80 Whiplash, and it has a tight wobble like no other. Doesn't blow out on figure-8's either. One of the best kept secrets in the muskie bait world.

Posted 12/3/2002 8:27 PM (#52166)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


What came to my mind is the Deep Invader by Musky Innovations. Now I have never used it but it is a hardplastic lure with a soft plastic tail i believe. I have used the shallow invader that lure just pretty much lays on its side of twitched right and it just hangs there for a bit. Maybe other can add onto the Deep Invader. Musky Innovations products i have tried are good and seems everyone else seems to like them too. BTW: Deep INvader doesn't floot because of the soft plastic that weights it down.

Posted 12/3/2002 8:34 PM (#52167)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


I havce heard of the Dana Bait - But where can you get it?

Posted 12/3/2002 8:57 PM (#52168)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


I believe Dana Whiteman (the maker) lives in Ohio. I buy mine at Schuck's on West Okoboji, but I believe there are some on the shelf at Reeds, even though they're not in the online catalog. Thorne has them too I think.

Posted 12/3/2002 9:08 PM (#52169)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


I have two dana baits, they troll great. Try putting a curly tail on the rear treble, WHOA![:p]

Posted 12/4/2002 2:27 AM (#52170)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


Thanks for the replies so far guys. The slammer sounds interesting, is it really a very slow riser? I always imagined it would be buoyant like their other baits? I have a Deep Invader, it looks like it should do the business, but unlike the shallow invader, I can't get fish to bite it! My Big M is a jointed one, maybe the straight bodied ones are more buoyant? The Dana bait sounds interesting. Do you know where they might be available online, or does the maker have a website?

Thanks for the suggestions so far, any other options anyone can think of?

Tim

Posted 12/4/2002 7:13 AM (#52171)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


Save your cash until the triple D comes out this winter. It will do what you wish out of the box, and an amazing array of other behaviours. The last two baits that really excited me in terms of doing something fish had not really seen or heard before were the Tallywacker and earlier, the Hawg Wobbler. These were baits that got a tremendous response as their use spread. I expect this bait will get the same response from muskies and musky fisherman. This is one new bait that will live up to the predictions made for it, unlike a couple that have recently come out with a lot of hype.

Posted 12/4/2002 8:00 AM (#52172)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


Tim, like firstsixfeet said, the Triple D will do just what you are asking. Dives deep very quickly, twitches and kicks out very nice and hangs right in the strike zone. This is a new bait and will be available at the Chicago Musky Show in Jan.

Another one to consider that no one has mentioned is a Jointed Baby Depth Raider. It doesn't get quite 8 feet deep but twitches very nice and does an excellent job of hanging in the strike zone.

These 2 lures accounted for several good fish in my boat this season. Good luck and God bless.

Posted 12/4/2002 8:22 AM (#52173)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


I'll second Onieda Esox's recommendation.... however I'd suggest the STRAIGHT model BabyDepthraider rather than the jointed. The Bagley DB-08 isn't bad either... especially after it cracks and soaks up a little water.

jlong

Posted 12/4/2002 10:13 AM (#52174)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


Thanks for the replies. I hadn't thought of the Baby depth raider! I have a jointed one and it is pretty neutral as you suggested, if the straight one is similar that could do it, maybe a bit small though. The triple D sounds like the business, obviously a gap in the market for a bait with these properties! Thanks to all those who replied and emailed me. If you need the triple D tested over the winter I'll be fishing all winter here in the UK...!

Posted 12/4/2002 10:47 AM (#52175)
Subject: Bait suggestion please


For twitching at those deeps nothing is better than a Slammer deep diver type baits. And nothing is better than wood. I custom made a 5 1/2’’ and 7’’ minnow profile crankbait, similar to Slammer, that float, slow rise or suspend. Not only to catch those difficult Italian pike but every predator fish that swim!
I also fish a lot with straight model Bucher Baby Dephtraider and I find a great bait for stop cranking and fishing “side to side”. Another bait will “someone” suspend is the Pete Maina old favorite: Bagley DB-6.

Luca C.
Big Fish Mania Tackle
ITALY