DD X-OVER

The DD X-OVER is a deep-diving crankbait from EVERGREEN developed by Japanese professional angler Morizo Shimizu.

At 100 mm and 29.5 g, it is designed to reach approximately 4.5–5.5 meters while maintaining a relatively slim, shad-like profile.

Its design combines a low-center-of-gravity fixed weight with a large tungsten moving weight. During the cast, the tungsten weight travels toward the rear of the lure to increase casting distance. After entering the water, the weight returns forward, helping the lure quickly assume a nose-down position and begin diving.

A wide hybrid lip combines elements of round, coffin, and square-bill designs. The tip is bent and cupped to grab water quickly, while stepped sections near the body help reduce excessive resistance during the retrieve.

Unlike many deep-diving crankbaits built around a bulky profile and powerful wobble, the DD X-OVER is designed to produce a tighter, softer shad-like swimming action while still reaching deep water.

It also uses three #4 treble hooks, an unusual configuration for a deep-diving crankbait, intended to improve hook-up rates on fish that only partially commit to the lure.

The DD X-OVER is particularly interesting because it expands deep cranking beyond simply grinding a crankbait along the bottom.

Morizo Shimizu developed the lure to cover a wide range of situations, from steep reservoir banks and riprap to weed flats and suspended bass in deep open water.

One of its key Japanese applications is midwater deep cranking. For example, EVERGREEN describes targeting bass suspended around five meters deep even when the total water depth may be approximately fifteen meters.

In this situation, the lure is retrieved through open water without necessarily contacting structure. Its soft, shad-like swimming action and ability to maintain a consistent depth allow anglers to present a hard bait directly through the zone occupied by suspended fish.

The combination of deep range, casting distance, relatively low retrieve resistance, and controlled action makes it particularly suited to reservoir and offshore fishing where accurately maintaining depth can be critical.

One of the simplest approaches is a steady retrieve through deep open water.

After making a long cast, the angler retrieves the DD X-OVER until it reaches its operating depth, then maintains a consistent speed to keep the lure around suspended bass.

Around weed flats, the lure can be run over vegetation in the 3–5 meter range. Contact with the grass can be followed by a pause, allowing the lure's buoyancy to make it rise away from the vegetation before the retrieve resumes.

Another approach is to make shorter casts along steep reservoir banks, riprap, or other structure. The lure quickly assumes a nose-down diving position and can be worked close to the bottom while its wide lip helps it deflect around obstacles.

Rather than requiring constant bottom contact, the DD X-OVER can therefore be used as both a structure-oriented deep crankbait and a midwater search bait for suspended fish.

• Suspended bass in deep open water
• Deep cranking
• Reservoirs
• Weed flats
• Weed tops around 3–5 meters
• Steep banks
• Riprap and hard structure
• Long-distance searching
• When precise depth control is important
• When bass are feeding on shad or other baitfish

The DD X-OVER approaches deep cranking with a somewhat different emphasis from the classic power-cranking presentation.

Rather than relying primarily on a bulky body, strong wobble, and repeated bottom contact, its slim shad-like profile is designed to produce a tighter and softer swimming action while maintaining a deep running range.

This makes open-water mid-depth cranking an important part of the lure's intended use. Anglers can retrieve it through the depth occupied by suspended bass without needing the lure to continuously contact the bottom.

Its internal weighting system and aerodynamic body also emphasize long casting, while the hybrid lip is designed to combine rapid diving, reduced retrieve resistance, and obstacle deflection.

For US anglers familiar with deep-diving crankbaits as structure-contact tools, the DD X-OVER offers an interesting Japanese interpretation: deep cranking can also be a precise midwater technique for targeting suspended fish.