Depthraider Alternatives for Casting
curleytail
Posted 10/10/2014 11:18 AM (#734254)
Subject: Depthraider Alternatives for Casting




Posts: 2687


Location: Hayward, WI
I spent a little more time casting Depthraiders this year than I normally do. Caught a good one working it through weeds at night (crank, hit weeds & pause, crank, hit weeds & pause). Thinking I should incorporate this technique more next year.

I was impressed at how well these worked through cabbage especially, and even coontail. What are some other good options for this? Something that gets deep, is bouyant to float clear of weeds easily, and also a good lip for deflecting weeds on contact.

I wouldn't mind if it was a little bit bigger than a standard Depthraider too.

Something that ran even deeper than a depthraider would be good at times too. I fish some clear lakes in WI where the weeds grow in 18-20 feet of water and top out around 10 feet. Something that could hit that 10 foot range on the cast could be good at times, but realize actually hitting 10 feet on a cast isn't something a lot of cranks can do. Hitting that depth isn't an absolute requirement.

Curious if anybody is willing to share what other baits they use for this technique.

Thanks,

Tucker
kjgmh
Posted 10/10/2014 12:59 PM (#734267 - in reply to #734254)
Subject: Re: Depthraider Alternatives for Casting





Posts: 1088


Location: Hayward, WI
I fish some of the same lakes and have had good luck using a Countdown Depthraider when looking to get deeper.
MD75
Posted 10/11/2014 7:34 AM (#734327 - in reply to #734254)
Subject: Re: Depthraider Alternatives for Casting





Posts: 682


Location: Sycamore, IL
You might want to look at some of the saltwater type cranks. I have had good luck with the Sebile Koolie Minnow LL series baits for getting deep and Yozuri makes a big deep diver that has the option for attatching weights to the lip to increase depth range. Both of these come in floating models. I mainly troll these baits but have casted them a few times and bumped bottom in 15ft of water.
Riley-H
Posted 10/11/2014 9:24 AM (#734335 - in reply to #734254)
Subject: Re: Depthraider Alternatives for Casting




Posts: 62


Legend Perchbait, Ernie's, Mr. Toothy's
lennyg3
Posted 10/11/2014 10:18 AM (#734338 - in reply to #734254)
Subject: Re: Depthraider Alternatives for Casting





Posts: 483


Location: NE PA
I second the countdown depthraiders. Have treated me very well.
curleytail
Posted 10/13/2014 8:19 AM (#734618 - in reply to #734254)
Subject: Re: Depthraider Alternatives for Casting




Posts: 2687


Location: Hayward, WI
Thanks for the replies. Have thought about getting a countdown Depthraider for working deep. They wouldn't be so good for floating clear of weeds on contact though.

Any other options for cranks that get fairly deep and do a good job of floating clear of weeds?

Legend Perchbait is tempting to try. Would be good to troll with if nothing else. Will have to give Ernies a shot too.
CiscoKid
Posted 10/13/2014 11:32 AM (#734680 - in reply to #734254)
Subject: RE: Depthraider Alternatives for Casting





Posts: 1906


Location: Oconto Falls, WI
Go with an Ernie! Bagley DB08's work surprising well, but are not as buoyant. You can still work them through the weeds though.

The thicker the weeds are though, the more the DR is your best option. The wider the wobble on the crank the more cumbersome it becomes for working through weeds well.
Rudedog
Posted 10/13/2014 12:57 PM (#734704 - in reply to #734254)
Subject: RE: Depthraider Alternatives for Casting




Posts: 624


Location: S.W. WI
Have you tried a Naze Bait Livid Fish?
Not a real deep runner, (probably 4-6 ft average) but I think it would work for what you're saying about in/over weeds. Crazy wiggle.
-Jon