Getting A Crank Bait 2025
Tennessee Bass reply :
I already have some deep divers but I want to try out some square bills. I have done some research but not a lot of luck on which bait is the best. I heard that the lucky craft lc 1.5 rattle is good. Also is the Xcalabir xcs any good? What crank baits are best and won't break the bank (under $15) hopefully. Also what colors do I need? I live on the Tennessee river and the water is "fairly clear." On tackle wear house some of the crankbaits don't have hooks in the picture do they come with hooks? If not what hooks do I need to get? Thanks
Evan K reply :
I really like Strike King 1.5 and 2.5 HC Silent Square Bill baits. They're very well built. I also found a bunch of Norman square bills at BPS for $2 each that seem pretty nice.
DaleGribble reply :
Strike king 1.5 are good. Rick clunn series are awesome too. I also like sixth sense square bills and they are very detailed and come in good colors. I found lucky craft square bills very nice but a couple of mine lost their eyes after a few trips and a $10 crankbait shouldn't do that... One I would be aware of is the storm arashi series. I've tried to love these baits but they just don't work... The wake crank is good but any of them that dive don't catch fish... YMMV
MI.Kayaker reply :
hardbaits on tw will have terminal tackle attached 99% of the time... unless it says otherwise
buzzed bait reply :
On 10/7/2015 at 10:34 AM, DaleGribble said:One I would be aware of is the storm arashi series. I've tried to love these baits but they just don't work...
same here
tbone1993 reply :
It's more about how you fish the bait than what bait. If you can hit cover then you don't need rattles. The deflections cause more strikes imo. That being said I like the strike king 1.5s for the money. Spro little johns for their build quality and paint jobs, and hooks. The rick clunns can be killer too. Havnt used the lucky crafts because ive got a lot of spro.
blckshirt98 reply :
The Strike King KVD 1.5 and 2.5 are pretty awesome for what you pay for them. They work and they're cheap enough where you won't be as afraid to throw them into structure. Also look at the Bandit 100 series. Something like a $15-20 LC or Megabass squarebill, I never have the courage to use them as intended.
Bluebasser86 reply :
If you have an Academy close buy I'd check out their H2O line of baits, especially if you're looking for an affordable bait. They're a great bait and can often be had for less than $4 apiece. They're my go-to squarebill, especially if I'm expecting to lose some baits.
Comfortably Numb reply :
I also like the H2O CRS squarebill
ww2farmer reply :
Another vote for the Strike King KVD's, I also like the Storm Arashi's. The Storm's are a few bucks more than the KVD's, but are ready to go right out of the package, as they come with short shank, heavy wire VMC trebles. Some people are fine with the stock hooks on the Strike King's, but I change them before they even get used.
Senko lover reply :
It's hard to find a better squarebill than the KVD 1.5 IMHO.
scaleface reply :
There a lot of different ones the Luck e Strike Rick Clunn baits work well , as do the rapala Crankin Rap . My two biggest bass this year came on a Crankin Rap .
bassin is addicting reply :
Imo
For the money
It's hard to beat the Strike King 1.5 (change the hooks) and the Bandit 100
gulfcaptain reply :
One not mentioned yet, River2Sea's Ish Monroe Biggie Square Bill. Both sizes work great. As mentioned the Strike King 1.5's are always a good bet. BPS has the ones with the rattles if you want sound. And also look into the Ima Bill Lowen Square Bills.
Montanaro reply :
If you want a real squarebill then get a balsa squarebill.
Otherwise I'd suggest spro. Very versatile even though their bill isn't truly square.even. come through cover well and suspend which is great when hitting cover and pausing
RyanFishing reply :
I agree with a lot of the other posts that Strike King is the best bang for your buck. I use both the 1.5 and 2.5 and found the 1.5 catches more fish and the 2.5 catches the bigger fish.
Scarborough817 reply :
i like the yo zuri 3db series
roadwarrior reply :
My go-to square bill is the Norman Fat Boy (redear pattern)
You need a couple of KVD Red Eye Shad, too. One should be blue & silver.
Another suggestion is 6th Sense Crush Flat 75X
the reel ess reply :
I'm very fond of the Bandit Flat Maxx. Buy a few of whatever because you'll get hung up eventually if you're doing it right. I use mine from a kayak so I'll go get 'em.
NathanW reply :
A lot of squarebills I have fished seem to gum up easily were the front hook grabs the bill or the line or the two hooks grab each other. The KVD series squarebill seems to be the most immune to this problem. Probably all I will be buying from now on.
Tennessee Bass reply :
If I bought some strike kings and wanted to upgrade to hooks what brand and size are best. Thanks for all the suggestions If there are any more please share. I am almost decided on what bait to get just a few more questions...
whitwolf reply :
Firstly, TN Bass, welcome from Morganton NC!
I like the Bandit flatt max, Spro little Jon, and the older Rebel wee r's. 
Yumf2 reply :
Ive been a huge fan of the arashi series by storm but i fished the Luck-E-Strike Rick Clunn square bill this year and it seems to be an under- talked about crankbait
WRB reply :
There are a lot of good square choices between $5 to $7, my choice are Rick Clunn's, run good out of the box and don't need to change the hooks.
I use a Black Dog Shellcracker G2 for square type presentations more often then the crankbaits.
Tom
Tennessee Bass reply :
Went to the new Feild and Stream opening and picked up some strike king 1.5s and some Spros. thanks for all the advice guys.
Sam reply :
Start with the Bandits.
Lots of colors in square bills and they don't cost an arm and a leg.
Then go with the Kevin VanDam 1.5 square bills and give them a try.
Odds are you will like the Bandits just as much as you like the Strike Kings.
As for colors, what is the main forage in the lake?
You can't go wrong with a Sexy Shad color.
Let us know what you select and what you catch with them.
Catch and Grease reply :
On 10/7/2015 at 1:57 PM, Bluebasser86 said:If you have an Academy close buy I'd check out their H2O line of baits, especially if you're looking for an affordable bait. They're a great bait and can often be had for less than $4 apiece. They're my go-to squarebill, especially if I'm expecting to lose some baits.
100% agree with this, academy makes some ridiculously good baits for how much your paying for them...
WRB reply :
Academy isn't a lure manufacturer, they are a retailer of private labeled tackle similar to both BPS and Cabelas, it's all the the same.
Tom
Catch and Grease reply :
Well H2O Express is what I meant, it's their house brand.
Ive just gotten in the habit of calling them "academy lures".
Jaw1 reply :
Strike king 1.5 are my favorite squarebill there not to expensive and produce. Bandits are great all around footloose to 300series, I've tried the river2sea and caught a lot of fish on them as well.
Luckystrike squarebills are nonproductive for me as well as the arashi squarebills. I was a big luckycraft fan but had quite a few bills break and made the switch to strike king. Another disappointing squarebill for me was the xcaliburs. I love their one knockers but the squarebills a keychains to me
Kbral87 reply :
On 10/7/2015 at 10:24 AM, Evan K said:I really like Strike King 1.5 and 2.5 HC Silent Square Bill baits. They're very well built. I also found a bunch of Norman square bills at BPS for $2 each that seem pretty nice.
The strike king 1.5's work great, I like to make sure and put some gamakatsu hooks as I have had some issues with the hooks that they come with.
Last_Cast reply :
+1 for strike king.
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