Hey the last couple times I've been out, Ive hooked some nice fish on a DD22 and have lost them. Are there any tips for getting a better hook set, or when fighting them? any help would be appreciated..

glass rod and just lean into fish dont set the hook too hard. And dont let them jump! If you are not throwing a glass rod give it a try, makes a huge difference. Also change the hooks out to triple grips. Factory hooks are terrible.

Change the hooks to the short shank mustad triple grips. Also what rod are you using it makes all the dif.

Right on...good parabolic action!

I lost 2 8+ fish in tournaments that cost me so I made these changes, quality 7ft crank bait rod and triple grip hooks. Big difference. Another hook I like is the xcaliber trebble with the offset hooks. Those are hard to find anymore so you can modify your trebble hooks yourself with a little twist to the right for each hook. It makes a difference in hook up rate.

thanks for the advice i'll get some triple grips and change them out on my crankbaits, what size do I need for DD22's?

#2's

cool thanks!!

some people are going to argue with me on this, but I like mono as well. I know flouro has become real popular on cranks because it sinks, but that extra stretch on a big bait like a dd22 helps that fish take the bait deeper.its also a little more forgiving when they do jump.

i use pline and braid on my crank bait rods and the power tackle rods r great and keep ur rod pointed down after ur sweeping hookset and u should land more it works for me

I just added another deep cranking rod to my box this year. The Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Mag Cranking Rod 7'10" The fast tip allows the fish to fight me but not rip the treble hooks out so easily. It casts the deep divers a mile, which keeps the bait at optimum depth longer. The composition of the rod really gives a good feel for the bottom of the lake compostion.

I went to a 8ft crankin stick and believe the extra length made a huge difference in my hook to land ratio. The extra length gives that much more shock absorbing rod to help keep them on.

The rod makes most of the differance like some are saying. These big fish on Falcon have a lot of power and a long limber rod helps you absorb some of that power to keep them from just ripping the hooks out.

Sharp hooks.. a Big bass has a very tough mouth so sharp hooks are very important to get a good hook set. I use 30# braid on Deep cranks, triple grip hooks and a parabolic med action rod. I like graphite because we fish a lot of timber/ brush and need the back bone to move big fish away from cover. Glass rods work well around grass because they load a little slower.

Eveybody does it a little different.. you just have to figure out what works best for your style of fishing. Trial and error with time on the water.. exprience is the best teacher. You have to hook them before you can boat'em.

There are two models of DD22's...

The cheaper versions have horrible bronze hooks that are duller than dull. The better ones have Gamakatsu hooks. I rarely lose a fish on the baits with the Gammys.

If you are gonna change the hooks out the Mustad Triple Grips are very good. I would use a #2 or #1 even. The new Mustad KVD Elites (if you can find them) are even shorter shank so you can move up one size.

The rod is important too but not as critical as the hooks. Some days the fish are really eating the bait and it doesn't matter what rod you are using, they still get it all the way in their mouth. Other days they are just slapping at the bait as it goes by... This is when a glass rod will help you boat more fish.

I use a 7.5' custom composite glass/graphite that has a slow parabolic action. When you hook a goodun on it you can feel it bending all the way into the cork handle. LOL! For an over the counter rod, the Falcon Deep Runner is hard to beat for DD22's.

Hope this helps ya catch em!

Ken