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Dive Bombers

Twenty Deep-Diving Plugs That will Plummet to 20-Plus Feet

By Mike Mazur

Updated: December 4, 2012

Sashimi 3D Magnum Deep Diver (R1073)

Yo-Zuri Size: 7 inches; 3 1⁄8 ounces Construction: Polycarbonate body with full thru-wire construction, ribbed finish for maximum vibration, Sashimi color-change technology and proprietary treble hooks. Colors: 7 Max Depth: 28 feet Max Speed: 6 mph Swimming Description: Wide wobble with lots of tail action MSRP: $25.99 Tidbit: Ideal for slow-trolling the reefs for grouper; try adding a curl-tail grub to the back treble hook to stimulate a more aggressive bite.

111MR Deep Diver

L&S Bait Co. (mirrolure.com) Size: 7 inches; 2 1⁄8 ounces Construction: Narrow, cigar-shaped propionate plastic body holding MirrOlure’s sonic fish-calling rattles; equipped with 3x VMC 4/0 trebles. Colors: 11 Max Depth: 25 Max Speed: 8 mph Swimming Description: Tight wiggle MSRP: $11.99 Tidbit: To hit optimum depth, troll around 5 mph behind 175 feet of 30- to 50-pound braid. Best used with a short trace of wire or shock mono.

Koolie Minnow 190 LL FW

Sebile Size: 7 ¾ inches; 3 ounces Construction: ABS body with thru-wire construction connected to split-rings and Sebile 3/0 1x wire hooks. Also available in a “Salt & Sun” version that features a foam-filled body and powerful Owner 3/0 ST66 4x hooks. Colors: 15 Max Depth: 60 feet Max Speed: 5 mph Swimming Description: Tight wiggle with a slight tail wobble MSRP: $34.45 Tidbit: Its unique, curved shape was the result of a study on how to reduce water resistance, and it produces only minor tension on the rod when being pulled.

CD30

Bomber Saltwater Grade Size: 8 inches; 4 ounces Construction: Puncture-proof plastic body with forged line connection and thru-wire skeletal structure, extra-heavy split rings and proprietary 5/0 trebles. Colors: 21 Max Depth: 30 feet Max Speed: 6 mph Swimming Description: Wide wobble MSRP: $16.50 Tidbit: This CD (Certified Depth) model repels the biting power of the toughest saltwater fish yet is packaged in a seemingly glass-like crystal shell.

Challenger X Wahoo Special

Strike Pro Size: 7 1⁄8 inches; 3 ½ ounces Construction: Hard plastic body with thru-wire harness and ball-bearing swivels with VMC 9730 Big Game forged, welded-eye hooks. Colors: 3 Max Depth: 30 feet Max Speed: 7 mph Swimming Description: Tight and narrow MSRP: $42.99 Tidbit: Deadly when used on a downrigger for deep yellowfin tuna. Try dropping it down to 200 or 300 feet around offshore drilling platforms.

X-RAP XRMAG-30

Rapala Size: 6 ¼ inches; 2 ½ ounces Construction: Thru-wire construction with textured, translucent polycarbonate body, 3-D holographic eyes and 3x split rings attached to VMC 4x Perma Steel treble hooks. Colors: 16 Max Depth: 30 feet Max Speed: 15 mph Swimming Description: Tight, aggressive wiggle MSRP: $21.99 Tidbit: Its slightly narrower lip allows it to be trolled either slow or fast, making it effective for a range of species.

Stretch+ Imitator Jr.

Mann’s Size: 8 inches; 3 ounces Construction: Butyrate plastic body featuring light-reflecting textured body and raised gills, along with two 3/0 Eagle Claw treble hooks. Colors: 9 Max Depth: 23 feet Max Speed: 10 mph Swimming Description: Tight wiggle and wobble MSRP: $18.99 Tidbit: Designed to mimic an 8-inch menhaden, this lure will reach its maximum depth when pulled at 3 mph to 5 mph behind about 150 feet of 30-pound braid.

Menhaden MHC 155D

Live Target Size: 6 inches; 2 ¾ ounces Construction: High-impact plastic body with thru-wire -construction, 2x stainless-steel -components and Owner Saltwater treble hooks. Colors: 3 Max Depth: 25 feet Max Speed: 11 mph Swimming Description: Tight, pronounced wobble MSRP: $27.99 Tidbit: Designed to mimic the menhaden; try trolling this plug slowly atop reefs in 25 to 40 feet for big grouper.

Laser Pro 160 XDD

Halco Size: 6 ¼ inches; 1 ¼ ounce Construction: Long, thin ABS body has a bulletproof lip securing system for extra strength and is ultrasonically welded with 2/0 Mustad 3x treble hooks. Colors: 16 Max Depth: 20 feet Max Speed: 10 mph Swimming Description: Fast, rolling action MSRP: $15.99 Tidbit: Try running this plug at speed below a pattern of skirted trolling lures to boost catches of tuna and wahoo.

Sorcerer 150 XDD

Halco Size: 6 inches; 1 ounce Construction: Features sharp, “butterknife” tail design molded from ABS plastic. Contains rattles and is ultrasonically welded with three No. 2 Mustad 5x treble hooks. Colors: 17 Max Depth: 27 feet Max Speed: 7 mph Swimming Description: Tight shimmy MSRP: $15.99 Tidbit: Avoid bulky swivels, clips or any other connection for best results. For faster trolling speeds, try removing the center hook.

Clackin’ Magnum CNMAG-20

Rapala Size: 6 ¼ inches; 2 ½ ounces Construction: Polycarbonate body with internal rattling BB and holographic foil; thru-wire construction linked to 3x split rings and VMC 4x Perma Steel treble hooks. Colors: 10 Max Depth: 20 feet Max Speed: 15 mph Swimming Description: Tight wounded-minnow action MSRP: $19.99 Tidbit: Brand-new on the market, the oversized BB produces a banging pulse underwater, making this mid‑size plug ideal for wahoo, kingfish or dolphin.

X-RAP XRMAG-20

Rapala Size: 5 ½ inches; 1 5⁄8 ounces Construction: Thru-wire construction with textured, translucent polycarbonate body, 3-D holographic eyes and 3x split rings attached to VMC 4x Perma Steel treble hooks. Colors: 15 Max Depth: 20 feet Max Speed: 15 mph Swimming Description: Tight, aggressive wiggle MSRP: $20.99 Tidbit: Try pulling it in the Red Head, Silver and Blue Sardine colors over shallow (20- to 30-foot) patch reefs along Florida’s west coast, the Keys and the Bahamas for grouper.

CD25

Bomber Saltwater Grade Size: 6 inches; 2 ounces Construction: Ultra-high-modulus, puncture-resistant plastic body with thru-wire skeletal structure and -proprietary 4/0 trebles. Colors: 21 Max Depth: 25 feet Max Speed: 6 mph Swimming Description: Wide wobble MSRP: $16.50 Tidbit: Polycarbonate body boasts a tensile strength of 10,200 pounds per square inch and a puncture–resistance factor of 1,200 pounds of hydraulic force.

Spanish Mackerel SMK 160D

Live Target Size: 6 inches; 3 ounces Construction: High-impact plastic body with thru-wire construction, 2x stainless steel components and Owner Saltwater treble hooks. Colors: 2 Max Depth: 25 feet Max Speed: 11 mph Swimming Description: Tight wiggle with slight body roll MSRP: $22.99 Tidbit: In addition to trolling, try working this lure around schooling kings and cudas with a fast cranking motion and hard, aggressive sweeps of the rod tip.

Sorcerer 125 XDD

Halco Size: 5 inches; ¾-ounce Construction: Oblong-designed ABS body contains rattling BBs and is ultrasonically welded with three No. 1 Mustad 3x treble hooks. Colors: 17 Max Depth: 27 feet Max Speed: 8 mph Swimming Description: Tight shimmy MSRP: $13.99 Tidbit: Whether trolled or cast, use light fluorocarbon leaders with small connecting clips for optimum swimming action.

Crystal Minnow Deep Diver F1013

Yo-Zuri Size: 5¼ inches; 7⁄8-ounce Construction: Polycarbonate body with full thru-wire construction, rattling BBs, holographic finish, animated oversized 3-D eyes and proprietary treble hooks. Colors: 8 Max Depth: 22 feet Max Speed: 8 mph Swimming Description: Tight, narrow wiggle MSRP: $13.99 Tidbit: Troll two of these plugs, in different colors, on each side of the transom. If one gets hit more frequently, switch out to the same color on both sides.

Crystal 3D Minnow Deep Diver F983

Yo-Zuri Size: 6 inches; 13⁄8 ounces Construction: Polycarbonate body with full thru-wire construction, rattling BBs, 3-D prismatic insert for light reflection and proprietary treble hooks. Colors: 12 Max Depth: 20 feet Max Speed: 6 mph Swimming Description: Tight, narrow wiggle MSRP: $19.99 Tidbit: Try trolling this plug in an S-pattern. When the lure changes direction, it will speed up or slow down on the turn — this is when most strikes occur.

Magnum Stretch 30+ Jointed

Mann’s Size: 12 inches; 6 ounces Construction: Chambered Butyrate plastic body with internal, side-to-side supports, double figure-8 wire joint connections and two 5/0 Eagle Claw trebles. Colors: 7 Max Depth: 30 feet Max Speed: 5 mph Swimming Description: Tight wiggle MSRP: $34.99 Tidbit: An excellent choice for slow-trolling (1 ½ mph) the deep channels of the Chesapeake Bay for big wintertime striped bass.

Magnum Stretch 40+

Mann’s Size: 14 inches; 8 ounces Construction: Chambered Butyrate plastic body with internal, side-to-side supports, 1⁄8-inch-thick walls and two 7/0 Mustad double hooks. Colors: 7 Max Depth: 40 feet Max Speed: 11 mph Swimming Description: Tight wiggle MSRP: $44.99 Tidbit: A 50-wide reel is a good choice for trolling this giant plug. Heavy braided line and slow retrieval speeds of 3 mph to 5 mph will get it down past the 40-foot mark.

Giganticus G50+

Mann’s Size: 16 inches; 10 ounces Construction: Butyrate plastic body with thru-wire construction from lip to tail with two 9/0 Mustad double hooks. Also available with two 12/0 single hooks. Colors: 7 Max Depth: 50 feet Max Speed: 11 mph Swimming Description: Tight wiggle MSRP: $99.99 Tidbit: Use a minimum 8/0 size reel when trolling this monster. Largest known catches include a 1,134‑pound blue marlin and a 623-pound bluefin tuna.