Any Crankbait Lovers Still Out There? 2024
rogatsby reply :
I know people mostly use soft plastics these days, and I also like Senkos and similar baits. But for me, there’s still nothing like the constant engagement and challenge of using a nice crankbait. Any people here who also love cranks? Btw, this is one of my favorites. Rapala DT-Flat.
MN Fisher reply :
(raises his hand) Yep - which is why I got a dedicated crank/jerk rig set up this winter. DTs, Shad Raps, Rattling Raps, etc-etc-etc. I've got a 3700-size box that's nothing but cranks.
Dens228 reply :
I use crankbaits all the time. About the only time I don't at least try them is when vegetation won't let me.
I do well with them too.
But I also throw jigs all the time
and spinnerbaits
and plastics
and...............
scaleface reply :
Yep
Rapala Crankin Raps
Rapala Fatraps
Rebel Deep wee R's
Berkely Dredgers
Strike King Red Eye Shads
Rogers Big Jim
Storm Wiggle Wart
have seen the most action the last few years
A-Jay reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 1:50 AM, rogatsby said:I know people mostly use soft plastics these days, and I also like Senkos and similar baits. But for me, there’s still nothing like the constant engagement and challenge of using a nice crankbait. Any people here who also love cranks? Btw, this is one of my favorites. Rapala DT-Flat.
Hello and Congrats on your 1st Post ~
I'll throw a crank anytime they'll eat one.
But I've never been a fan of the treble hook on the front of that DT.
Nightmare is the term I'd used for it.
Changed out every one right out of the box.
But that's just me
A-Jay
flyfisher reply :
I always have one tied on and if conditions present themselves where they would be the most effective, I use them.
scaleface reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 1:50 AM, rogatsby said:I know people mostly use soft plastics these days, and I also like Senkos and similar baits. But for me, there’s still nothing like the constant engagement and challenge of using a nice crankbait. Any people here who also love cranks? Btw, this is one of my favorites. Rapala DT-Flat.
One of my favorite patterns is the Rapala perch but I have never used the DT series .
rogatsby reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 2:06 AM, A-Jay said:Hello and Congrats on your 1st Post ~
I'll throw a crank anytime they'll eat one.
But I've never been a fan of the treble hook on the front of that DT.
Nightmare is the term I'd used for it.
Changed out every one right out of the box.
But that's just me
A-Jay
Yeah I’ve heard some people cut off the long hook on the front treble. Seems to be working great for me so far though.
Tizi reply :
My favorite way to fish is power fishing crankbaits: square bills, medium and deep divers. Going deep was my best producer last year. Deep cranks: 6th Sense Cloud 9 C-15 and 20, Berkley Dredger 20.5, Strike King 5 and 6XD, Rapala DT 16, and deep jerkbaits: Megabass Vision 110 +2.
I stick to perch and ghost patterns mostly. Some red/brown craw too.
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 1:55 AM, MN Fisher said:. I've got a 3700-size box that's nothing but cranks.
Only one? We gotta do something about that! And they're not my favorite lure, even. jj
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 5:31 AM, jimmyjoe said:Only one? We gotta do something about that! And they're not my favorite lure, even. jj
I have limited space in the canoe - one 3700 size bag with 5 boxes for tackle, one 3600 size bag with 7 boxes for plastics.
Vilas15 reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 5:44 AM, MN Fisher said:I have limited space in the canoe - one 3700 size bag with 5 boxes for tackle, one 3600 size bag with 7 boxes for plastics.
Sounds like room for 12 boxes of crankbaits not 1
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 5:44 AM, MN Fisher said:I have limited space in the canoe - one 3700 size bag with 5 boxes for tackle, one 3600 size bag with 7 boxes for plastics.
Plastics? Now, if you threw some of those plastics away you'd have room for these nice shiny, sparkly thingees. ☺️ jj
On 1/19/2020 at 5:59 AM, Vilas15 said:Sounds like room for 12 boxes of crankbaits not 1
Yup. It's winter, and I'm froze in, he's froze in, and I'm teasin' him if I possibly can. ???? jj
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 5:59 AM, Vilas15 said:Sounds like room for 12 boxes of crankbaits not 1
I also have a limited budget and it's spent for this year...so the jerks, topwaters, jigs, soft-swimbaits, spinners, chatters, buzzbaits and terminal tackle I have are it for the coming season.
On 1/19/2020 at 6:00 AM, jimmyjoe said:Plastics? Now, if you threw some of those plastics away you'd have room for these nice shiny, sparkly thingees. ☺️ jj
Yup. It's winter, and I'm froze in, he's froze in, and I'm teasin' him if I possibly can. ???? jj
But I USE my plastics... (whimpers)
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 6:08 AM, MN Fisher said:
But I USE my plastics... (whimpers)
Well ..... okay. You can keep all of them I guess. ???? And here I thought I was gonna entice you into the wonderful world of snag-on-the-left and snag-on-the-right. Also called, "snaggin' and losin' and cryin' and boozin'" ????
Remember what I wrote in the entry on "What lures did you lose the most in 2019?" . I said "spoons".
Ain't no lie. jj
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 6:22 AM, jimmyjoe said:Remember what I wrote in the entry on "What lures did you lose the most in 2019?" . I said "spoons".
Ain't no lie. jj
Ya...my entry was along the lines of 'Plastics are consumables. If you use them, you WILL lose them.' So having a bunch isn't a want...it's a need.
schplurg reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 1:50 AM, rogatsby said:I know people mostly use soft plastics these days, and I also like Senkos and similar baits. But for me, there’s still nothing like the constant engagement and challenge of using a nice crankbait. Any people here who also love cranks? Btw, this is one of my favorites. Rapala DT-Flat.
Is the bolded bit above actually true?
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 6:27 AM, schplurg said:Is the bolded bit above actually true?
Let's put it this way:
Up until last year, I fished rivers. I never saw a soft plastic. Might have been some people using them, but either I didn't see them or I didn't pay any attention.
Last year was The Flood, so I started fishing lakes pretty seriously. Bought myself a bunch of soft plastics. Got in with a bunch of guys who took me on their boats (I don't own a boat).
No spinnerbaits.
No cranks.
No spoons.
Very few frogs.
When we met another boat, first question was, "What color they hittin'?" Second question was, "Texas or weightless?"
I was flabbergasted. So yeah, I think it might be true. jj
JoePhish reply :
Love to crank.
DT-10 in Helsinki Shad gets the nod quite often though I have grown fond of the Caribbean Shad color as well as Brown Crawdad in the early season.
When I go shallow it's a KVD 1.5 in Black/Chart or Natural Shad. I've been working Rapala Brats into the square bill mix. I like the fact that the 03s run shallower that the KVDs.
In the colder months a Shad Rap 05 in Brown Crawdad is always tied on.
A few years ago I took to deep cranking. Been using mostly SK XD 5s and 6s.
Nothing sexy, just the true and tried.
Want to grab a bunch of Spro Rock Crawlers this year. Also, I'm curious about Rapala Big Brats.
Harold Scoggins reply :
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A-Jay reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 6:27 AM, schplurg said:
Is the bolded bit above actually true?
Not even remotely ~
A-Jay
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 6:55 AM, A-Jay said:Not even remotely ~
A-Jay
Hallelujah! The reassuring voice of sanity in a crazy, crazy world. Thank you; I feel better now. (Still gotta buy new spoons.) 
jj
Mbirdsley reply :
. I have a problem when it comes to buying cranks I always need new ones for some reason I start every trip throwing a crank. In hopes that the crank bite is on. If it is not that’s when I start throwing t-rigs, jigs, and what Ever else. That’s my idea of easy fishing. Cast, retrieve, and repeat
dgkasper58 reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 2:06 AM, A-Jay said:Hello and Congrats on your 1st Post ~
I'll throw a crank anytime they'll eat one.
But I've never been a fan of the treble hook on the front of that DT.
Nightmare is the term I'd used for it.
Changed out every one right out of the box.
But that's just me
A-Jay
interesting- That treble was on the booyah one knocker- seriously caught every fish on that "one" hook. When ripping through weeds and burning it.
A-Jay reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 7:07 AM, jimmyjoe said:Hallelujah! The reassuring voice of sanity in a crazy, crazy world. Thank you; I feel better now. (Still gotta buy new spoons.)
Let's not get too carried away here now.
Sanity is a strong word . . .
A-Jay
On 1/19/2020 at 7:10 AM, dgkasper58 said:interesting- That treble was on the booyah one knocker- seriously caught every fish on that "one" hook. When ripping through weeds and burning it.
Fair enough ~
That hook came stock on the Sub-Walk when it first came out.
My strike to landing ratio on brown bass was so far below the Mendoza line,
It was hard to comprehend.
Changed it out and life was good again.
If I had any I'd be happy to send them to you.
A-Jay
dgkasper58 reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 7:14 AM, A-Jay said:Let's not get too carried away here now.
Sanity is a strong word . . .
A-Jay
Fair enough ~
That hook came stock on the Sub-Walk when it first came out.
My strike to landing ratio on brown bass was so far below the Mendoza line,
It was hard to comprehend.
Changed it out and life was good again.
If I had any I'd be happy to send them to you.
A-Jay
My last one that was surviving had to be cut off when it was in my hand... No lie I was upset at the time- now I don't throw it as much.
billmac reply :
I have a mental block when it comes to crankbaits, especially fat crankbaits. I know they catch fish, I just won't bring myself to throw them.
I like minnow type crankbaits, I like lipless cranks, like rattletraps. It all boils down to the fact that they look good to me and fat crankbaits don't. Yes, it's weird.
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 7:14 AM, A-Jay said:Sanity is a strong word . . .
I concur.
A-Jay reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 7:30 AM, MN Fisher said:I concur.
LOL ~
Thanks for the support
A-Jay
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 7:31 AM, A-Jay said:LOL ~
Thanks for the support
A-Jay
I swear, you guys make me feel normal. That's something that the doctors and nurses here haven't been able to do for years. 
jj
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 7:39 AM, jimmyjoe said:
I swear, you guys make me feel normal. That's something that the doctors and nurses here haven't been able to do for years.
You think YOU got it tough? No hospital will take me because they don't want half the staff ending up as patients.
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 7:21 AM, dgkasper58 said:My last one that was surviving had to be cut off when it was in my hand... No lie I was upset at the time- now I don't throw it as much.
....the lure or the hand? jj
rogatsby reply :
This little traditional guy does great for me in the winter and when times are tough. Decades of effectiveness.
dgkasper58 reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 7:59 AM, jimmyjoe said:....the lure or the hand? jj
the treble hook. ????
Columbia Craw reply :
The only crankbaits i'll throw run from 1 to 22 feet deep. I refuse to deal with them outside that depth range.
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 8:05 AM, rogatsby said:This little traditional guy does great for me in the winter and when times are tough. Decades of effectiveness.
When I was using the Ambassadeur 5000, I found it difficult to throw the Rapala Finnish Minnow, or what we now call the Rapala Original. And of course, being young and stubborn, I hesitated to use spinning gear. But when I discovered the Countdown, I was in 7th heaven. This one I could cast! And at first, all I did was chuck-n-wind. But one day, I took a lunch that included sandwiches with strawberry jam. I got some on the line accidentally. So here I am, winding back, and then pausing to clean the jam off the line, then winding back, then pausing to clean the jam off the line, and ..... WHAM!
One of my buddies, much more knowledgeable about fishing techniques than I was, was standing about 25 feet away and laughing his butt off at me. Then he explained what fishing a jerkbait was.
I have never been without a Rapala countdown since then. Floaters? Yeah, maybe. Countdown? Nope. If you look at the picture I posted above, you'll see a few other jerkbaits in there, some of them newer and "improved". But there's nothing that is as versatile, reliable and consistent as the Countdown.
Like the guy on the TV says, "Don't leave home without it." jj
JS Patterson reply :
Crankbaits and jigs are like an addiction to me. Despite having Rubbermaid containers full of “reserve” stock in my fishing room I still feel a need to have more. I rotate many 3700 boxes of specific types through my boat based on season and where I will be fishing. Winter is the season I will have 3 crankbait setups on my deck. I have a 3700 box of DTs ready to go. Between the shad rap and the Spro boxes.
Hook2Jaw reply :
I want to be a good crankbait fisherman, but I'm not. My local waters don't really allow it -- too much vegetation in my local ponds. The lake I frequent is also chock full of vegetation and is very, very clear. I feel like there are better presentations available to me there.
I'm going to start fishing my rivers again. They have far more sandy bottom and tons of wood for me to snake squarebills through.
That said, I prefer fishing hard plastic and wire baits before pure soft plastic approaches.
DanielG reply :
Yup, I like cranks. I live on a 4.5 mile lake that's a flooded river valley that's 90 ft deep in some places. Not much vegetation, not much coverage. Crankbaits work good in open waters. That and swimbaits are what I use a lot.
Log Catcher reply :
Like others have posted I try to always start with a crankbait. I didn't get to fish a lot last year. When I did go the 6TH Sense crush 50 and Spro Little Johns caught them. I rarely use a crankbait that runs more than 12' deep.
swhit140 reply :
Always on my rods ready to go, I have lipless cranks in one box and diving cranks in 2 or 3 other. Most of our lakes are under 20' depth so I use what is necessary to catch them.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
Who leaves home without a square bill, like seriously? I beat the bill off mine. Every stump, root, and tree I find.
Here in my local rivers I love throwing a square bill. Absolute confidence bait, red craw shallow running sqaurebill.
Growing up bass fishing, my earliest memories in central Fla, is my Dad tying me on a crankbait. "Throw it out there and reel son" Fire tiger was the usual color then. The good ole days.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Billed cranks, not so much. Lipless crankbaits are another story though.
GreenPig reply :
I try to love them. I have four 3700's full of shallow, medium, deep, and extra deep crankbaits. I have 3 dedicated cranking combos. I still catch more bass on swimbaits.
RichF reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 2:06 AM, A-Jay said:Hello and Congrats on your 1st Post ~
I'll throw a crank anytime they'll eat one.
But I've never been a fan of the treble hook on the front of that DT.
Nightmare is the term I'd used for it.
Changed out every one right out of the box.
But that's just me
A-Jay
I was gonna say the same thing about the sureset treble. I still have a few on some baits but not on the front. Snag magnet!
Sam reply :
Yazirrrrr. I be here with my crankbaits.
And getting some special ones very soon, too. 
Bankbeater reply :
Mann's one minus, Cordell Big-o, and KVD crankbaits are a staple for me.
LonnieP reply :
I can’t imagine fishing without crankbaits. I always have at least 3 tied on in my boat.
TBAG reply :
My favorite way to fish, I always have two crankbait specific combos with me at all times. I especially enjoy fishing them on a glass rod, so fun.
schplurg reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 6:41 AM, jimmyjoe said:Let's put it this way:
Up until last year, I fished rivers. I never saw a soft plastic. Might have been some people using them, but either I didn't see them or I didn't pay any attention.
Last year was The Flood, so I started fishing lakes pretty seriously. Bought myself a bunch of soft plastics. Got in with a bunch of guys who took me on their boats (I don't own a boat).
No spinnerbaits.
No cranks.
No spoons.
Very few frogs.
When we met another boat, first question was, "What color they hittin'?" Second question was, "Texas or weightless?"
I was flabbergasted. So yeah, I think it might be true. jj
Maybe they're just cheap? 
If everyone in that lake is throwing plastic I'd probably leave mine at home and throw plugs. I've seen no indication of such a trend.
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/27/2020 at 5:07 AM, schplurg said:Maybe they're just cheap?
Y'know, you might have something there! And I mean that seriously .... no joke. ???? jj
NYWayfarer reply :
I love a good crankbaits, small and large. I am partial to squarebills and lipless versions.
I probably would like deep divers if I did more boat fishing
Ksam1234 reply :
I have yet to catch anything on a crankbait.. deep , medium Or shallow. I have used lipless baits and jerkbaits with a lot of success but nothing else. That is my 2020 resolution for fishing. To get better at cranking.
NorthernBasser reply :
Speaking of...I got this as a gift the other day.
*Disclaimer-this is not me*
Spankey reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 1:50 AM, rogatsby said:I know people mostly use soft plastics these days, and I also like Senkos and similar baits. But for me, there’s still nothing like the constant engagement and challenge of using a nice crankbait. Any people here who also love cranks? Btw, this is one of my favorites. Rapala DT-Flat.
Rapala’s are great baits and that pattern will work anywhere in the country. If I could give you a suggestion, try that in the bluegill pattern. Not the live image bluegill but the original Rapala bluegill.
Crankbait fishing is a big part of my fishing. I have no plans to cut back on it.
Derek1 reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 7:14 AM, A-Jay said:Let's not get too carried away here now.
Sanity is a strong word . . .
A-Jay
Fair enough ~
That hook came stock on the Sub-Walk when it first came out.
My strike to landing ratio on brown bass was so far below the Mendoza line,
It was hard to comprehend.
Changed it out and life was good again.
If I had any I'd be happy to send them to you.
A-Jay
Love that pic. That was me a few times last winter. I didn’t get any bites though, gonna try a new field this winter
galyonj reply :
On 1/28/2020 at 4:20 PM, NorthernBasser said:Speaking of...I got this as a gift the other day.
*Disclaimer-this is not me*
I need that shirt.
TBAG reply :
So back to crankbaits.
What color crankbait have you found to work the best no matter what part of the country you fish?
I know that's a tough questions as their are so many variables but just interested in some answers.
scaleface reply :
On 1/29/2020 at 10:16 PM, TBAG said:So back to crankbaits.
What color crankbait have you found to work the best no matter what part of the country you fish?
I know that's a tough questions as their are so many variables but just interested in some answers.
I like chartreuse , Fire tiger , white most of the time for 15 foot or more . Shallower a lot of shad , perch , crawfish , bluegill and chartreuse .
bagofdonuts reply :
Chart/black back. Use to have a norman deep little n that was black w/blue flake that was a killer but haven't been able to find a replacement. nothing can put them in the boat faster than a crank bait on a fired up school.
Dens228 reply :
On 1/29/2020 at 10:16 PM, TBAG said:So back to crankbaits.
What color crankbait have you found to work the best no matter what part of the country you fish?
I know that's a tough questions as their are so many variables but just interested in some answers.
I've honestly had equal success with any of the shad variations. When water vis is low I like chartreuse in it too.
I even fish a place that I've never seen any shad and do well with that color. I use bluegill patterns there too but have switched colors just to see and don't really notice a difference.
jimmyjoe reply :
On 1/29/2020 at 10:48 PM, Dens228 said:I've honestly had equal success with any of the shad variations.
That describes 90% of my crankbait success.
On 1/29/2020 at 10:48 PM, Dens228 said:When water vis is low I like chartreuse in it too.
...And that's the other 10%! jj
NorthernBasser reply :
On 1/29/2020 at 10:10 PM, galyonj said:I need that shirt.
I think they got it from Redbubble.
crankbait2009 reply :
I have been fishing since 2009, and my primary lure of choice is, and always will be the crankbait. Just until a few years ago, I have added plastics to my arsenal. I always start with my Black Bandit Crankbait (200 series), and I will fish it for a long while. When I am having zero luck, then I'll throw the plastics for a bit. But they don't get nearly as much time on the water, before I switch back. Love my cranks. Black is my friend
TBAG reply :
On 1/29/2020 at 10:33 PM, scaleface said:I like chartreuse , Fire tiger , white most of the time for 15 foot or more . Shallower a lot of shad , perch , crawfish , bluegill and chartreuse .
On 1/29/2020 at 10:40 PM, bagofdonuts said:Chart/black back. Use to have a norman deep little n that was black w/blue flake that was a killer but haven't been able to find a replacement. nothing can put them in the boat faster than a crank bait on a fired up school.
On 1/29/2020 at 10:48 PM, Dens228 said:I've honestly had equal success with any of the shad variations. When water vis is low I like chartreuse in it too.
I even fish a place that I've never seen any shad and do well with that color. I use bluegill patterns there too but have switched colors just to see and don't really notice a difference.
Good choice, I too have the most luck with any Shad colored cranks, with craw coming in a close second place.
Dens228 reply :
On 1/31/2020 at 3:05 AM, TBAG said:
Good choice, I too have the most luck with any Shad colored cranks, with craw coming in a close second place.
I've never caught a bass on craw colored. But I have caught tons of bass on craw colored jigs/trailers in those same waters... Go figure!
MN Fisher reply :
The cranks that seem to do the best for me are the ones imitating what's here. Perch, Bluegill and Baby Bass.
Bankbeater reply :
On 1/29/2020 at 10:16 PM, TBAG said:So back to crankbaits.
What color crankbait have you found to work the best no matter what part of the country you fish?
I know that's a tough questions as their are so many variables but just interested in some answers.
My three go to colors are shad, firetiger, or crawfish. Which one I use depends on water clarity, and the amount of cloud cover.
GioFromNJ reply :
i'm a non-denominational baiter. jerkin, crankin, walkin, etc...you name it i'll use it.
Boomstick reply :
I also love crankbaits. There is nothing like fishing a crankbait when the bite is on!
Columbia Craw reply :
On 1/29/2020 at 10:40 PM, bagofdonuts said:Chart/black back. Use to have a norman deep little n that was black w/blue flake that was a killer but haven't been able to find a replacement. nothing can put them in the boat faster than a crank bait on a fired up school.
Normans Deep Little N, Black w. blue fleck: 10 in stock at Tackle Warehouse.
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