There has been a lot of talk about deep diving crank baits winning several “Tour” tournament in the news lately.  There are several things you can do to enhance and maximize your bass fishing with these baits.

First start with a low gear ratio reel, a 4.9 to 1 will allow the bait to reach its maximum depth by slowing down your retrieve, and will also help with fatigue of cranking these baits for a long period of time.  The next thing, use fluorocarbon line.  Fluorocarbon has properties that cause the line to sink, which will also help in getting the bait to run at its maximum depth.  The last thing, choose a longer rod, at least 7 feet in length and preferably made up of graphite composition.  The length will allow you to cast the lure farther again helping the lure run deeper.  The graphite composition works two fold, first it will allow the fish to inhale the lure without you feeling it and pulling the bait away from the fish, you will just feel the rod “load up” or feel heavy which gives you a good hook set. 

The second way it helps is when you are fighting the bass fish.  It has a lot of  flexibility that will assist in keeping the fish buttoned up by not ripping the hooks out of their mouth.  These simple changes in you equipment will increase your hook up and landing ratio and will not wear you out on a long day of fishing.