Love fishing deep cranks, especially this time of year, but losing fish is always a constant worry. Anyone have any tips/tricks that helps get the big girls in the boat instead of breaking your heart when they shake loose?

Mustad KVD Elite Triple Grip short-shank hooks. One size larger than what your DD crank comes with from the factory.

Good advice Fouzman!
I actually use the Owner 2x #2 on my deep divers and the KVD short shank triple grips on my medium to shallow divers. Have not lost a fish yet with those hooks. Also, I think it helps having a rod with a very soft tip. I use the G Loomis cranking rods, but I know there are others out there that work just as well.

Thank you sir.

I use the Loomis Deep Flex and Duckett 7'11" MH crankin' rods, both of which have very soft/fast tips. Nothing wrong with those Owner's either. That's what I always used before the KVD's came out. Oh, one other thing. No slack. never give them any slack. And this is where many will disagree with me, but it works for me. High-speed reel. 3:1's are great for preventing fatigue, but they stink at taking up line quickly, like when that fish runs straight at you!

Keep the hooks ultra sharp, a small arkansas stone works nicely.
Triple set the hook.


I don't lose many.

Keep 'em down, when they start to come up, push that rod down in the water and pull like crazy to turn them back down.

Big fish are well known for inhaling the entire crankbait and when you set the hook, the bait doesn't move and no hooks get penetration.

One of the worst feelings is seeing that giant come up and in slow motion see that your crankbait is not even visible, see the fish start to shake, open the mouth and out flys your crankbait.

I've had it happen to me too many times, 2 times this year. The one though that sticks out is one on the dam at Athens years ago, that fish still haunts me.

I prefer mono for cranking because of the strech. Also your ability to keep the fish from jumping.

...Also, when catching fish of size - Be Sure and check that line after landing the girl. Those big rough lips will do a number on it......could be trouble on the next one.

pretty good post and info. I switch all my hooks out to the KVD hooks.

Thought I showed you at Fork? I'll try to show you again on Falcon in 2 weeks

Thanks to everyone for the tips!

Agreed... Good hooks and the right rod will help the most. I think many times when guys lose fish on a crankbait they are using a rod that is too stiff. This will cost you. You need to use a rod that allows the fish to get the bait into their mouths before you react and set the hook.

However, sometimes you can do everything right, have all the right equipment and the fish will still jump off. Some days the fish just don't eat the bait well.

the right hooks, the right rod and patients in landing your fish...



reminds me I have a new crankbait rod I need to pick up today!

I don't lose many fish at all on CBs. Of course, I loosen my drag so a 3 lber can barely pull drag. Catch a LOT more fish when you do that. Let the rod work like it is supposed too. This also keeps you from pulling the hooks from a big fish and/or taking the bait away from a striking bass. Hope this helps.

Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains