I've read in many places recently, including on here, of guys catching many of their larger bass on DD22s. I've thrown them a few times but I've never been much of a deep water fisherman. Well, I'm determined to learn to fish offshore and deep and I'm going to start with the DD22. What patterns produce the best for you guys, just in general? I know it'll depend on water clarity, weather, etc. . .but generally, what patterns produce best. And do you fish it any different from any other deep diver?

Thanks for any other info.

More time you spend throwing it the more fish you will catch

Remember it doesn't have to bottom out to work the same as dredging it shallower will work

I don't know nothin about deep water fishing, and I kinda hate it. But I want to learn it. Kelly Jordon was talking about DD22's at F&S, and the only two things I can remember off the top of my head was burning them in open water, and tearing up the bottom in about 10ft of water. So once I get a chance to just go out and play I'll give it a shot.

Start lifting weights too. You're going to need your strength to crank those things for long periods of time. They work, but they will wear you out.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Any color suggestions?

I'll probably be throwing them a lot this week at Amistad. Also picked up some Mann's 30+ CBs to try out. Sure don't plan to throw them all the time though. As stated above, they will get to you after a while.

I don't fish them any different really. Make sure to make a long cast though. Takes a little bit to get them down that deep. The longer they are down the more fish you will catch. Until last weekend I used a 7'6" MH rod but just picked up a Dobyns 805CB to throw them with. It is an 8'0" rod made for crankbaits. Hopefully will make a lot of difference.

I have alot of luck throwing them on rocky banks and pulling em to deep water. The more rocks you run into, the better. Usually I burn em but a sometimes they like it slow. One other thing, make sure when you throw it your on fish. Nothing worse than trying to learn and having no chance from the get-go.

throw them down deep points and ledges and use a 5 to 1 ratio reel and a big cranking rod or they will wear you out

I usually have cranks in 3 colors. Shad Pattern, Bream Pattern, and a Red Craw color. Match the conditions and enjoy it!

i will throw a dd22 in 2ft of water or 30ft they just catch big fish!

You have to have the right rod, reel, and light line. I use a skeet reese 7' 11" cranking rod and a revo winch also I like fluorocarbon over mono.

On the cheap side I started throwing them on a 8' spinning rod MH. Very similar to a cabela's King Kat. The spinning reels on those have a nice low gear ration. I use 12lb big game back then as you had to change the line frequently due to line twist. I probably caught more fish on this set-up than the one I use now...It was only like 50 bucks. Also easier to use because those reels have huge handles.

They really will wear you out. I've got fishing elbow in both arms that I've been struggling with since last summer because of D22's. I've got a Falcon Low Rider 7' composite CB rod but I need something else. I've got a 4.8 speed reel on it.
I also like the Strike King 6XD's. They seem to get as deep but with less resistance.

I know that there's another thread on this topic but just curious what kind of rod results in less strain to throw these things? Would a heavier power rod make it easier?

I've caught literally hundreds of fish on the Mann's 30+. After throwing it for an hour the DD22 feels like a Beetle Spin!

Use a good limber 7 - 8' cranking rod with a long handle so you can tuck the butt of the handle up between your elbow and your ribs. A good quality 5:1 reel also helps. I would suggest the Revo Winch or Curado.

My advice for learning to fish a deep diver is to go to a power plant lake and crank the rock piles in the intake or outflow. A DD 22 jerking along the bottom in ~10 ft has been very productive for me, and its easy to stay on the structure because you are close to land

The DD22 and the 30+ are worlds apart when it comes to water resistance. I recently started throwing deep divers and have had some great sucess with them. You just have the be convinced that it will work..... because it will.

Dont forget line size makes a big differance as far as the catching goes.And also you want to make contact with the cover or bottom to get bit better.I like flourocarbon line in 12 to 15 lb. test.Firetiger and Shad colors for me and Ken's right about what to throw it on!

Man thanks for all the advice guys, I think its going to make a HUGE difference. I have a couple of follow up questions. . .

1) What size mono would u recommend I use with the DD22 - I just really haven't come around to floro yet, I hate the way the stuff feels.

2) Why the low geared reels? Is this to keep it down in the strike zone longer or to save your arm and elbow?

Keep in mind that the lower the gear ratio the less stress it puts on you. If you go with a speed like Ken has suggested above you`ll be able to fish it all day without killing yourself.
You throw it it on a 7.4:1 you`ll be hurting for a few days after.

I like to use 14# most of the time.

This: to save your arm and elbow

Trilene Big Game or XL line & The lower gears save the reel and your cranking arm aswell.

Remember it doesn't have to bottom out to work the same as dredging it shallower will work

what he said

Thats good. . .cause the only mono I use is big game. :-)

12 lb mono, and if it breaks off in rocks, it will probably float to the top

The only beating is a big fish will shake it easy because it's so heavy. (yes I sadly speak from experience. That could have been two 7 pounders to post)

Are they a lot different than fat free shad?. Ive been throwing the same ffs since I was 15. So I have a saltwater spinning rig on 8' mh rod w/ 50lb. Power pro.,would that cut the cheese?, bc my 2 caenan's wear me out throwing the deep cranks I have. I'm just breaking back into bass fishing after a 15 year plus saltwater fling.