Things NO ONE Tells you about Deep CRANKBAIT Fishing

In this video we go through things no one tells you about deep crankbait fishing and review the technique and each lure by action and how and when to fish it. Basically a guide to crankbait fishing for bass.
My new MB hat bit.ly/3yx7YZi
Berkley Dredger bit.ly/3lMW8CJ
New Dual Yo Zuri crankbait bit.ly/3xJSeS4
Bait Clips bit.ly/2GpbbyI
6th Sense Cloud Crankbaits bit.ly/2Y5MWPH
Timmy Horton Z Boss bit.ly/2NruJW4
Rapala DT Serires Crankbait bit.ly/2Ho4YlW

[@mikeybalzz]

What's your top pick deep-diving summer crankbait?

[@juniorcarmack8741]

Cloud 9 all the way. I love 6 sense baits there hooks are the best too.

[@casac86]

I like the 6th Sense Cloud9 C15/C20 or Crush 300DD. Last year i started using them alot with my buddy to target deep smallies

[@macking4942]

Anything 6th Sense

[@sarcazmo]

You gotta try the duel hardcore deep divers!

[@badmofo350]

6xd cloud 9 C20 and the 6th sense crush 300 and 500. i have one 6xd in natural shad color thats covered in teeth marks. it's hard not to tie that one on since I've caught so many bigs on it. they thungledonk it.

[@thehedgeknightnc3681]

Dude, I'm going to reorganize all my crank baits into tackle boxes labeled "chuck a chuck a", wonk a wonk a" and "shhhhhhickita shhhhhhickita." ;) great vid. Keep them coming.

[@mikeybalzz]

I got to figure out how to spell that so I can write it down into LOL

[@ricksonora6656]

@@mikeybalzz Shktshktshktshkt and Fptfptfptfpt. Not to be confused with Pthpthpthpth, which is a raspberry.

[@chasinggorditas1387]

😂💪🏾🔥

[@murraymoore5662]

😂😂❤

[@robertdtimmerman6507]

Absolutely love the Cloud 9 series from 6th Sense. They are my go to deep crank. Paint schemes are second to none. Bog looked good in his pink cooler.

[@charlesshaffer5782]

Really enjoyed the video Mikey you are so comfortable when you do this no one else on KZbin does tutorials as well as you do man keep them coming👍🐟🐟

[@mikeybalzz]

Thanks bro it's just one fishermen talking to another.

[@nnjohnson1225]

Mikey.... I have fished all my life and have learned a ton from you. Thank you for sharing and teaching us all. Been catching em good here on Wheeler. Thank you and keep em coming.

[@williamknight5142]

Really good video Mikey! One of the best I've seen on Y/T.

[@LowBrowFishing]

I always use a snap swivel on nearly all my baits. Not only can I switch my baits out really fast, I also don't have to deal with line twist. I've never ever seen any difference to not using a clip or snap swivel. I fish hyper pressured waters and I still routinely catch nice fish.

[@ricksonora6656]

Bank fishing New Melones requires strenuous hiking on trails and down & up steep hills. One or two poles is all I can manage. So, snap swivels are a necessity. I tie leaders to all my lures at home and wind them up on a small card with slits in each corner.

[@mattthomen1608]

When I use minnow baits I'll tie to the eye if it's cold for a tighter shimmy,and add the clip if I'm doin reaction twitch, and pause or burning it.👊

[@racerxv6valvoline424]

Mikey, Awesome video on explanation of how, when and what to throw. I am starting to experiment with this deep deep cranking...Keep'm coming.....Great Job.

[@mitchg8797]

The duel hardcore 4+ is by favorite crankbait ever, always the bait I pull out when I'm in pressured water.

[@jackstein5486]

Terrific video! Truly all inclusive and in depth. One of your very best. Thanks for sharing what has taken you many hours to determine and quantify!

[@mikeybalzz]

thanks jack! need to give you a call and catch up!

[@badmofo350]

you can also use sharpie to remove dried Sharpie. just mark over your marks again and immediately wipe it off before it dries. it's remove the original marks

[@badmofo350]

*it'll

[@eltigredetejas2328]

You may have said it and I just didn’t catch it but I’ve lost 50% of my cranks starting out always invest in a lure retriever it’s worth the price on first lure you get back in the boat …. 💪🏿✅

[@jamescaspersamanthalintner4767]

For anyone who's just getting into deep crankbait fishing a DD 22 from Norman is a great one to start with. I learned with that bait and it's still one of my favorite all-time deep divers. Great video Mikey

[@jeremytjensvold9936]

Man I can't wait to catch a deep crank Clearlake fish this summer.. Awesome vid brah keep em coming

[@Doug_Hinton]

I watch a few different guys fishing videos, from pro fisherman to the designer / tutorial guys to the just tutorial guys. Most guys I would say offer good insight but very few would I actually want to be in a boat with. Without saying too much I will say I fish with my eyelids at half mast!! But I put in insane time, 12 hours is not uncommon but I have anchored and taken a nap usually around 1 am wake up at 4 am and started all over. I catch alot of quality fish but I still watch videos because its better than anything else I could watch.

[@trevorfleck6751]

Awesome collection man ! Tackle warehouse order time ! Here till the end brother!

[@mikeybalzz]

👊

[@ronpittman5030]

Mike I always enjoy your content and really love that you take your dog fishing with you also. If you ever get down to Eufaula I’d enjoy putting you on some ledge fish down here.

[@rodcashman4793]

Fantastic explanation thank you for breaking these down..

[@mikeybalzz]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeremyduncan9165]

Sounds affects spot on!!

[@michaeldarby2242]

Silent 6xd has been a big player in my arsenal, I have gone in behind boats throwing the same 6xd with rattles and just absolutely smoked the school of fish they were fishing for. It's just one of those things that like you said, they'll run from a certain crankbait but chomp on another.

[@mikeybalzz]

amazing the difference a silent lure will make!

[@davidbmullis]

These videos are gold! Nobody else puts that much solid information about baits out!

[@mikeybalzz]

Thanks man!

[@ericstanley3446]

Mikey, what a thorough seminar for us rookies. I really want to get better at deep diving cranking. I have seen so many tournaments won out here in the west on deeps. Thank you so much...

[@mikeybalzz]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks man! If u need anything fire me a message.

[@bennyventures8204]

The next technique I’m going to dedicate myself to learning…just need my boat out of the shop…until then I’m wading and swimming for the fish in

[@justinbuckles120]

Great video and break down. Another big crankbait that has gone forgotten about is the dd22

[@TeamJesusOutdoors]

Great vid, Mikey!

[@castinstork]

That 6XD in green gizzard has been MURDERING the fish on my quarry lake here in Northern IL. Really made me fall in love harder with grinding cranks down deep when everyone complains about the late summer bite!

[@mikeybalzz]

tough color to beat!

[@allenwarringtonsr.6005]

Mikey love your fishing and techniques! Also love your teaching. Thank you

[@mikeybalzz]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching Allen

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

Thank you Mikey 🤙

[@goodmanfishing]

I use the VMC touch-lok clips, they're pretty awesome and have very high load ratings.

[@rickyreynolds9056]

Great video!!

[@billgibson9968]

Norman DD22 all day long! Its old school but it gets ocean ponies!

[@Tylerhoward2]

Very good breakdown. Especially considering I fish TVA 🤟👍

[@calebwozniak4390]

You’re the man, keep up the good work.

[@calebwozniak4390]

Also spro makes a really nice stout clip you should check out. It’s called a split snap I believe.

[@makinbigbassmemories6450]

Great video Great 👍🏻 information

[@stevencarnes7790]

Cloud 9 C15 candy citrus the main lake I fish is Buggs Island (Kirr Lake) and most of the time the water is stained. The last couple years it has been stupid clear from what I'm use too fishing on that lake. So thank you for helping me get some new ideas for those picky summer bass and I will send you my tackle wearhouse bill as well 😂.

[@blainewilkins7397]

Mikey Balzz what's up Bro I just found your channel And I'm Diggin it I subscribe and and goin thru old videos keep em comin

[@mikeybalzz]

That's awesome thanks man, there's a ton of stuff don't miss the 49lbs 5 fish day and this is one of my favorites - also cranking - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoixdGyLi5iHepY

[@jamierice3189]

Great vid...

[@Cornuts1000]

Great video. My lake averages 7 to 8 ft in depth. No one throws crankbaits up here. I’ve thrown some 5xd’s on some rock shoals in the 12 to 14 ft range. Do to the amount of vegetation , I mainly throw either square bills or DT 6’s. Still very rare for anyone to throw crankbaits here though.

[@docgillygun9531]

Dude! You missed one class of deep diver. The ones that go whoompa whoppa whoompa whoppa. Other than that, balls out video as usual. One piece of advice I have is sometimes on my home lake I will stick my box of deep divers down in the water and ask the bass which one they want that day. But honestly, I think their just screwin with me.

[@haroldrogers6566]

😂🤣👍

[@Bankfishindude]

I’m going to try that!

[@DavidMccallister65]

You're finally into the Dredger! That's the Chameleon Shad color but dude they're the smallest crankbait that will get 25+ ft and you can still cast them a mile and the round bends are typically sharp and solid and I never use round bends but I make an exception for the Dredger and the Crews series from Spro. I'll use the stock hooks on those until I start to lose a couple then I'll switch to the EWGs

[@Born2Fish1219]

at the beginning, i saw you fishing them in different weather condtions (sunny, calm, windy). When your cranking that deep, is there a specific condition you see and know its going to be right? I know wind obviously but when theyre that deep do conditions factor that much?

[@djradrs199]

I luv The Clip Thingy !! my reasonability is ... easy and i don't have to respool my line as often because im not using up 8-12'' of line every time i want to retie a lure on # I'm a cheap skate 😎

[@rickshipley7232]

Great video

[@willjunkin732]

Great break down of deep cranks

[@mikeybalzz]

Thanks Will!

[@kellycarr4701]

Great vid Mikey! Tons of great tips, and really appreciate you putting this info out brother! What's your favorite brand of line to use for deep cranking?

[@mikeybalzz]

I'll be honest with you man I use a bunch of line and I always find myself respooling and I put a bunch of line on because I long line quite often so I get stuff that's decent but economical so I run that red label the stuff right here bit.ly/2Fsx0gk

[@greenpighunter6930]

Excellent

[@captainstevespatafora4185]

Great tips Mikey, what would you recommend for shallow grass bottom lakes with little shell bar areas of hard bottom . Specifically Lk Toho , waters down, average depth currently is 5-6’ . Been throwing a 1.5 buzzing the top of the grass or 2.5 square bill . Anything you can recommend to get closer to the bottom without digging into the grass too deep

[@mikeybalzz]

Check out some wake bites or that lucky craft Bds Has always been a staple for me down there

[@rileymcgill9893]

Yo man, what brand cooling vest is Bog using? I totally wanna get one for my pit. The heats tough on em right now. Appreciate it!

[@Tbowie13]

Hey Mikey, have you ever fished the Megabass Big-M 7.5? Big bait...2 ounces and really nosedives into the bottom. It'll get down around that 30 ft mark. It's not a cheap bait, but when the fish are on it, they're on it! I also fish the Big-M 2.0's and 4.0's as well, but that's a different story. They're more like huge squarebills.

[@ukjw2]

“If your going to buy one, it’s going o be xxxx”. I tried to ask a guy that who was selling lures at the last classic expo and he acted like I was an idiot and returned questions on all 50 condition variations of weather, temp, clarity etc etc.

[@johnthacker7007]

If I’m buying one and I fish smallmouth lake in southwest Virginia, which one do you recommend?

[@brianpierson7708]

That’s me I asked you about if you use the bar fish color in the last crank bait video last week

[@magicworldbyjorg]

[@zacharycampbell532]

What about replacing the bait clip with a swivel? Would there be much of a difference?

[@Tbowie13]

Sometimes a little less report is a welcomed quality. I have pretty severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and some deep diving cranks can beat me up if I throw them for a long time. Something that gets down there, yet doesn't thump as hard helps me alot!

[@williamschneider6811]

Great video on deep cranking. I’m going to have to watch it a couple of more times to remember all of the info. I would like to ask you about what you think are the best colors based on the fewest baits in each depth in clear to slightly stained water. Also, the maximum depths of the man made lakes I fish in South Central Mississippi is 26’.

[@mikeybalzz]

i like that green gizzard shad style of pattern in those situations and maybe a chartreuse shad for a bit dirtier water.

[@williamschneider6811]

@@mikeybalzz Thanks my friend.

[@friskthewaffle7672]

How do those crankbait sounds go again!? 😂😂🤘 love ya dude! Much love from a fellow Florida dude.

[@mikeybalzz]

Yeah I do pretty good crankbait impression right 🤣🔥

[@friskthewaffle7672]

@@mikeybalzz yes sir! Man I would totally be down for a trip to headwaters. I have a place 30 mins drive from me that is an abandoned rock quarry filled with nothing but GIANTS. And tons of dead trees in the water. It reminds me of Lake fork!

[@luckylucky9006]

Yo Mike my question is what's great flat side deep diving bait that catch's fish and not pocket breaking as well? Thank you

[@mikeybalzz]

Look at the Rapala dt series or the spro little John dd

[@mikeantes9597]

Wow🤯you are a deep crank addict thank you Mikey .Quick? do you clip to the split ring or bait?

[@mikeybalzz]

Yup straight to the ring.

[@TheBaitmanTV]

Dammit Mikey. Our boxes are identical. LFG!

[@sandycohen9862]

Mikey is a very good teacher but so is Jonny Shultz from fish the moment. Both are down to earth

[@jessemiller3561]

Could do a tuning vid on crank baits.

[@jayr4421]

A little pricey but the Jackall Digle is great as well.

[@jerrygirdner2753]

Hey man I've been fishing my whole life and I'm 49, yea I'm getting old!! A question, what gear ratios do you use with your big crankbaits?? I always heard that for deep cranks to use the slower gear reels, like the 5.0 5.6 whatever but now I hear a lot of the big named pros line KVD saying they like to use the higher gear ratio reels now, I've always used the slower ones cause grinding those big cranks all day will flat wear you out. I've tried the higher gears and its way tougher even if you slow down, I know each to their own, I was just wondering what you use now. Another great video with lots of great information, so thank you again for sharing your knowledge with us old guys. Stay safe out there on and off the water and Semper Fi from an old Marine

[@mikeybalzz]

I like a little faster real like a 621 but nothing faster than that it helps you to get the bait down quicker and gives you a lot more control

[@jerrygirdner2753]

I've been throwing mine on a 631. And I like it way more than the 5 to whatever. Thanks again. Tight lines and good luck.

[@vipergecko03]

I fish big missouri creeks and alot of it is sub 10ft.... I kill with crankbaits alllllll the time. Favorite setup is an ultralight with 4-6lb test and a small crank

[@chaddrumm6809]

Holy Shit! VERY informative!

[@mikeybalzz]

Thanks Chad!

[@Oldbasshole]

How do you tune a crankbait?

[@Tbowie13]

Those Cbaits that dive deep yet don't dig real hard are so much easier to fish when my arthritis is flaring bad in my hands. A 10XD can have my hands throbbing cramping if I'm not careful cause I don't have good sense when to set it down...lol.

[@chaddrumm6809]

What’s your experience on using braid with these mega cranks?

[@mikeybalzz]

Don't have much experience with it

[@RonnieSprangerJr]

What is the smallest deep diver 18+ that will cast distance? I was surprised to see my bike increase switching from a 6XD to a 5XD here in Northeast Indiana looking for depth but a small profile help me out bud👍🏼

[@mikeybalzz]

i'd look at that berkley dredger

[@RonnieSprangerJr]

@@mikeybalzz after that bite slows down, what do you recommend for a clean up bait?

[@mikeybalzz]

@@RonnieSprangerJr Stay tuned get a video about that coming but basically a ned, Swimbait,drop shot, worm

[@rogerdudra178]

I hear there's no limit on Lake Trout on Yellowstone Lake.

[@scottiebunch]

Are you using Halo rods to handle those deep divers? If so which one?

[@mikeybalzz]

No these are some old school Powell max 3d cranking rods

[@alphaclp440]

Love the video! No spro cranks?

[@mikeybalzz]

Actually have a few hiding in there great unique vibration but I have trouble keeping them running true.

[@alphaclp440]

I’ll be up there in a couple of weeks in July sometime. Hot as balz!

[@mikeybalzz]

@@alphaclp440 sweet you're coming to Guntersville?

[@alphaclp440]

Yep! Putting in at south saudy. (Langston)

[@djl2033]

do you ever change out hooks on crank baits? I make the best split ring pliers on the planet if you'd like to try some..Texas Tackle split ring pliers

[@mikeybalzz]

actually already own a pair

[@djl2033]

@@mikeybalzz fantastic haha..would be good idea to talk about that sometimes and even compare others..it's a detail most don't care about too much till the "big one" gets away..same for sharpening hooks

[@chadjackson4786]

i wish berkley made a silent dredger. would sell like hotcakes

[@mikeybalzz]

Sitting on 🔥 right there

[@castandchill]

deep dive into deep divers !

[@wilsonpe]

Did you throw these in Florida?

[@mikeybalzz]

Yup

[@Bankfishindude]

Yeah pink bog! Gotta get that banana hammock to match!

[@mikeybalzz]

😂

[@davidvaughan782]

Do you use these baits in stumpy lakes?

[@mikeybalzz]

i fish some ledges with stumps. you have to fish a bit slower and walk the bait thru with your rod sometimes but they deflect pretty well.

[@relentlesspursuitofbass]

No fat free shads??

[@tomforward990]

Ok Mikey uses a clip. I’m good! I got flamed by one of my fishing buddies for using a clip on my cranking set up

[@SKUNKPROOF]

Hey man, don't count Walmart out on good rods. I got 3 Halo HFX spinning rods for $125. Dig deep online. Seein' as how I'm "that" old man with the worm, yall are boned. LoL, love these rods. Love that tip.😏😂 #SKUNKPROOF

[@SKUNKPROOF]

Oh crap, EACH! EACH!

[@mikeybalzz]

that's a helluva deal!

[@mikehoneycutt5686]

I got a big laugh when you held up a 7 year old rod after saying, it is the oldest rod ever. I fish regularly with 7 rods that are 37 - 42 years old. Had I not loaned my sister a couple I'd be fishing with 9 that age.

[@dwmjr2253]

What brand clip is that?

[@mikeybalzz]

It's these right here bit.ly/2GpbbyI

[@dwmjr2253]

@@mikeybalzz what size did you catch the 10lbder on

[@dwmjr2253]

@@mikeybalzz I got it,44 and 60. Thanks

[@mikeybalzz]

@@dwmjr2253 i believe it was the 44.

[@dwmjr2253]

@@mikeybalzz They got 26 33 60

[@christopherascherl2411]

Hydrodynamics

[@ricksonora6656]

It takes a dog that’s very secure in his canine-inity to rock pink like Bogg does.

[@astrophysicistguy]

“Aqua physics”. Is this how Aquaman can do what he does? Lol … how about “the physics behind how objects move through a fluid? 😎Or maybe just Hydrology … keep up the great videos … most bass fishing channels are just completely useless ….

[@mikeybalzz]

my word game is weak 🤣 thanks for sticking with the vids man!

[@astrophysicistguy]

@@mikeybalzz as long as Bog and swimsuit girl (minus that lame coverall dress) keep showing up I’m with you. And next time you’re in Florida we should fish Headwaters in our matching Nitros … remember, during you hunt for the perfect bass boat I was the first one to ask you why you weren’t targeting a Nitro … 🚣😎

[@mikeybalzz]

@@astrophysicistguy man I'm loving the boat! I should be over there sometime in August

[@astrophysicistguy]

I’m ready dude anytime! It’s the only water I fish now. BTW, almost went with the blue and black but ended up with blue and sliver scheme. Back is just too hot for summer around here!

[@johngarner9929]

Dude, someone is sending noitifications of prize give aways on behalf of your site. I just won a new Yamaha Outboard....

[@mikeybalzz]

Where are the notifications showing up? I just flagged somebody who stole my profile image and was posting comments.

[@johngarner9929]

@@mikeybalzz Notification showed up on my YT nessage notifications. Would not BS you man.

[@mikeybalzz]

@@johngarner9929 thanks for the heads up man!

[@cruzmerc509]

Welcome to crankbait season whores😂Hit that like and subscribed after that one😁🤙

[@highjenks3d]

Out of all of those cranks which one if you were in a fight would you use as a weapon 🔪 I say the 10 xd would be my weapon of choice it would flat mess you up on a 7'6' heavy action rod man I would be like pinhead from that movie hellraiser brutal. 😂 Ask Kevin van dam which one he would use it'll be that 10xd

[@mikeybalzz]

🤣

[@440-fishermandrock8]

willy Wonka Wonka?