Strike King Pro Model 8XD Crankbait

When Bass Go Deep, This Is What You Tie On

Most crankbaits tap out at 12–15 feet. The Strike King Pro Model 8XD keeps going. At 5.5 inches and 1.3 oz with a dive depth of up to 20 feet, this is the crankbait built for the moments that matter most — when big bass have pushed off the bank and stacked on deep ledges, humps, and structure. Tight wobble, aggressive lip, premium finish. This is the bait that goes where others can't.

Built for the Deep Game

The 8XD is Strike King's answer to deep-water bass fishing. The oversized lip drives it down fast and keeps it in the strike zone longer, while the large, well-balanced body generates subtle vibrations that pull fish in from a distance. Whether you're dragging it across a 20-foot ledge or burning it through a deep flat, the 8XD tracks true and stays dialed in cast after cast.

Why Shallow Cranks Fail Here

When bass move to deep structure in summer and fall, standard crankbaits simply can't reach them. You're fishing above the fish — and they know it. The 8XD's aggressive lip geometry gets it down to 20 feet on a long cast, putting the bait right in the face of fish that haven't seen pressure all day.

What Sets the 8XD Apart

• Dives deeper than most crankbaits in its class — reaches 20 feet on a long cast with 10–12 lb fluorocarbon
• Tight, realistic wobble that mimics fleeing baitfish with precision — not an exaggerated thump
• Aggressive lip design gets it down fast and holds depth through the retrieve
• Large, well-balanced body generates subtle vibrations that attract fish from distance
• Premium finish and components built to withstand aggressive strikes and repeated use
• Available in 10 proven color patterns for clear and stained water conditions

The Right Pick If...

• You're fishing clear lakes or deep reservoirs where bass stack on structure past 15 feet
• You want a crankbait that tracks true and stays in the zone on long casts
• You're targeting ledge bass, humps, or deep flats in summer and fall
• You need a bait that generates reaction strikes from fish that have seen everything
• You fish 10–17 lb fluorocarbon and want maximum depth on a standard retrieve

Best Fishing Techniques

• Ledge cranking — long casts with 10–12 lb fluoro, slow steady retrieve to keep it grinding the bottom
• Hump fishing — cast past the structure, let it dive, and work it over the top and down the back side
• Deep flat sweeping — cover water quickly on expansive deep flats during post-spawn and summer
• Reaction cranking — burn it through suspended fish to trigger reaction strikes

Best Conditions

• Clear to lightly stained water — 2+ feet of visibility
• Summer and fall when bass push to deep structure
• Post-spawn transition as fish move off the bank
• Reservoirs, clear lakes, and highland impoundments with defined ledges and humps

Best For

• Largemouth and smallmouth bass on deep structure
• Ledge and hump fishing in 15–20 foot range
• Tournament anglers targeting deep summer and fall patterns
• Anglers fishing clear-water reservoirs and highland lakes

Key Features

• Length: 5.5 inches
• Weight: 1.3 oz
• Dive depth: up to 20 feet
• Type: deep-diving crankbait
• Tight, realistic wobble action
• Aggressive oversized lip for fast depth acquisition
• Large, well-balanced body with subtle vibration
• Premium finish and hardware
• Available in 10 color patterns including Gizzard Shad, Green Gizzard Shad, Nude, Delta Red, Chartreuse Shad, Barfish, Tennessee Shad, Natural Shad, The Shizzle, and Tennessee Shad 2.0

Models & Specs

Tackle Express Tips

• Run 10–12 lb fluorocarbon on a 7'6" medium-heavy rod to maximize dive depth — fluoro sinks and adds 2–3 extra feet compared to mono.
• On ledge bites, slow your retrieve until you feel the bait ticking bottom. That contact is what triggers the strike.
• Match color to water clarity: Gizzard Shad and Green Gizzard Shad shine in clear water; Nude and Delta Red are go-to choices in stained or low-light conditions.

FAQ

How deep does the 8XD actually dive?
Up to 20 feet on a long cast with 10–12 lb fluorocarbon. Line diameter and cast length both affect depth — thinner fluoro and longer casts get you deeper.

What rod and line setup works best?
A 7'–7'6" medium-heavy rod with a moderate-fast tip and 10–14 lb fluorocarbon is the standard setup. The longer rod helps load the bait on the cast and keeps it down during the retrieve.

Is this bait good for smallmouth?
Yes. The 8XD is excellent for smallmouth on deep clear-water lakes and reservoirs, especially in summer when fish push to 15–20 foot structure.

More Strike King XD Series Crankbaits

Not sure the 8XD is the right depth for your water? Explore the full XD lineup:

• Strike King Pro Model 3XD — shallower diver, ideal for 8–10 ft structure
• Strike King Pro Model 5XD — mid-depth workhorse for 12–15 ft
• Strike King Pro Model 6XD — bridges the gap between the 5XD and 8XD
• Strike King Pro Model 10XD — goes even deeper for 25+ ft ledge fishing

Pair It With

Anglers who fish the 8XD also reach for these Strike King baits when conditions call for a different presentation:

• Strike King KVD 2.5 Squarebill — when fish move shallow or into cover
• Strike King KVD Jerkbait — for suspended fish and clear-water reaction bites
• Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg — topwater option for early morning and low-light windows
• Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg Jr. — finesse topwater for pressured fish and smaller bites