Like stated before, locations for deep cranking are very similiar to carolina rig spots, it needs to have some kind of structure to hold the fish. Structure is defined as something natural, or manmade, but is below the surface. Some good examples of natural structure is creek bends, river drops, stump rows, and flats. Man made structure would include old roadbeds, bridge pilings, rock piles and of course, brush piles.
The key here is having a good depth finder that will allow you to find and discipher what is down there before you begin fishing. Most of the time, there will be one little spot that will be the "sweet" spot. A good graph is essential. I spend alot of time idling over potential areas that I have located first on the map.
A good example is a road bed. I will idle over the road bed looking for certain area's that will be more productive. Good starting points are where the road had a bridge over the creek channel. Where a point meets the road, or perhaps an old drainage ditch on the sides. The map will help get me close, the graph will pinpoint the structure. Once my target is chosen, then it is important to choice the correct crankbait for the spot. The crankbait needs to be able to reach the depth that the structure is, but without getting hung up. If the structure is 10 ft deep, choose a crankbait that will run 12 ft. You want the bait to hit the target, but not plow or bury into it. The crankbait will be your best way to feel the structure. Once you hit the target, like the old bridge pilings, you want to pause the bait for a second or two, then continue your retrieve. Usually the strike will come while the bait is paused, or just as you begin movement again.
A key here, never set the hook when you feel the bait hit something or think it is a strike. If its not a fish, then you end up burying the crankbait to the point its not retrievible. If it is a strike, most times, the fish will have gotten it well enough for a hookup. A good lure retriever is essential, like the old hound dog. Something I do that makes it easy to use is attach it to one of those retractable dog leases. It makes taking up slack line and bringing the bait up a snap.
Proper boat position is critical. One needs to be sitting not too close to the target, but close enough that you can easily hit it. I like to be able to cast the crankbait comfortably beyond the target, reaching the desired depth, and working the bait to it. Another factor is the direction you crank the bait. Always try several different directions in which the crankbait hits the cover. Usually, one way will produce better. David Fritts always refers to this as "lining up correctly". Different factors come into play here, like depth, structure and current. I have found that once I learn a spot, how the fish seem to be positioned on it, I can spend less time casting in non-productive water, and more time catching. This is important because it allows you to run to a spot, line up to it, and hit the "sweet spot". Lining up can be done by taking reference to a land mass front and back of you, like a tall tree to a point. Or it could be a GPS coordinate. But something simple that you can return each time to.
One of my favorite late summer targets is main lake flats. What I mean by this is an extension of land that flows out into the lake but maintains a shallower depth, like 8-10 ft. It could be a flat point or large expansive area, but it needs to have two things in common. One is access to deep water, and two, something to hold the fish. The ideal spot would be a small row of stumps just as the flat drops off into deeper water. Cast to the stumps, making numerous cast, sometimes to the point of making the fish bite. Flats are also great locations to place brushpiles for cranking. Most flats are barren of cover, and a well placed brushpile will be the ticket. With brushpiles, make sure they are not too brushy, with alot of smaller limbs. I choose to make them with larger limbs or washed up stumps. You want something there that will hold the fish, but not grab your bait. Another mistake I think people make is adding too much structure. If you have a spot that typically produces fish, then why add more brush? Most times, this makes the spot harder to fish, and easier to get hung up to spook the fish. Pick only areas that look good, but are void of structure.
Summer time deep crankbaiting can be work, but it can be some of the best fishing all season long. Theres no better feeling finding a deep water haunt, casting your crankbait to it, and feeling that freight lining hit from a bass. It reminds me of smallmouth fishing because usually the strikes are so violent, my hand slips off the reel handle. Find a good spot on the map, go check it out with your depth finder, then a crankbait. You just might become an avid crankbait fisherman.
