Jaxson's Favorite Crankbait Series

Like many of you I am very passionate about bass fishing, and one of my favorite lures to throw all year round is the infamous crankbait! When I think about crankbaits the first thing that comes to mind is the Strike King XD series. Strike King is one of my favorite lure companies, especially for their hard baits, as I usually have a Strike King lure in my line up for every type of bass fishing! Their XD series is no exception, never failing and five different models that I'm going to tell you about now!

The 3XD

The 3XD dives down to 10-12 feet making it a medium diving crankbait. I love the 3XD for Spring and Fall where the fish are moving between deeper and shallower depths, exactly where this bait excels at these moderate depths. I usually use a 12 pound test fluorocarbon line for this setup because with a lighter line test it allows you the flexibility of getting this crankbait deeper or shallower, depending on how you work it.

The 5XD

The 5XD dives up to 15 feet deep making it a deep diving crankbait. Deep diving crankbaits are definitely one of my favorite lures to throw, especially during the hotter summer months where the bass are hunkering down deeper in the water column. This bait really excels in deep structures such as points, humps, or along creek channel edges, as this bait is most effective for targeting fish suspended at or near the bottom of the water column. To get this bait deep, you definitely want a lighter test line such as a 10-12 pound test fluorocarbon.

The 6XD

With this version of their XD series, Strike King changes up the approach a little! The 6XD is offered in three different models: standard, silent, and hard knock. In most situations, the standard model is more than sufficient, but if the water is murky and colder the hard knock is the way to go. This bait dives to depths of 19 feet and beyond, making it super effective for deeper water bass sheltering in and around offshore structures. I also love this bait in the summertime as well as post spawn, as the bass are moving deeper after the spawn and water temperatures are typically higher the more shallow you are. This lure works great in the fall and winter as well. My setup for this lure again is a light line test, a 10 pound fluorocarbon is what you need to get this bait deep, as well as further casting distances.

The 8XD

The 8XD dives up to 20 feet and beyond, making it an extra deep diving crankbait. I usually have this tied on during the hot summer months where the bass are suspended along deep lake points, ridges, and creek channels. Which makes this bait effective during mid summer through late fall.

The 10XD

Diving up to 25 feet and beyond this bait is a deep water master! Massive for it's size, this is the ideal bait for prespawn and fall where bass are looking for a larger meal. It's also great for the hotter summer days, as the bass will be deep in the water column, staying cool. This bait requires a light line test to get it deep, so I always do nothing more than a 10 pound fluorocarbon line.

If you want to achieve maximum crankbait successes, you really should take a hard look at the XD series from Strike King! Another recommendation I have for you and crankbait fishing, is using a specialized crankbait rod. My go to is the Lew's KVD composite crankbait casting rod designed by legendary bass fisherman Kevin VanDam. I like my rod to be 7'10" for better action and maximum casting distance. With a medium power and a parabolic action your crankbaits will cast further through the air reaching the ideal distances and locations to target those big bass we all love to catch!

With this setup combined with these amazing Strike King XD series crankbaits you are sure to have a fun and successful time bass fishing just as I do when I put them to work for me!

Now, get out there and go fishing!