Inexpensive Crankbait That Is Awesome! 2025
smalljaw67 reply :
I'll be honest, I was considering not posting this but then I figured not many will be fishing my water anyway so I'll let you in on something I discovered by accident. I was out fishing on Monday, we were into some serious smallmouth, and all of them on crankbaits and out of 50+ fish, the smallest was 16.5" with the biggest 21.5" and our best 5 was 21lbs 8oz. it was chaos. My buddy was doing the damage with the big fish, I caught the smallest one at 16.5" and my biggest was 19.5" and they were caught on a KVD 1.5 in chartreuse sexy shad. My buddy's smallest was 18" and his fish all came on 1 bait, a cheap lure called a Lew's Speed Crank in a color called blue chartreuse the was close to the chartreuse sexy shad I was using, I was stumped as I never heard of it before. Well after our day was over we got home and my buddy goes in the house and brings out the package the crankbait came in. It said "Lew's Speed Lures" on top and on the bottom it said "Speed Crank", on the back it was a Bass Pro Shops brand that used VMC hooks and so with that info I headed down to BPS yesterday to find out where these were. I asked a guy who worked there and he didn't know but a customer who overheard me ask knew about them, he pointed me to the BPS XTS crankbait and sure enough it was it. Well the bait is listed as 1/3oz but it has small size #8 hooks, my buddy informed of that and told me he switched his out to the KVD 2X short shank triple grip in a size #6 with no change in action so I grabbed the hooks too. Now I'm not the type to see a bait work one time and I have to get it but when I see it consistently get big fish every time it is used and the way the fish were eating it, well it was unreal as every fish just choked it and the price of these baits.....$2.99!!!!!! This bait has caught big fish since the crankbait bite started a couple weeks back, the only difference is that when it started I was able to keep pace with a spinnerbait and it was good fishing but it wasn't the kind of numbers we had this time so I didn't bother finding out what bait it was until we fished cranks side by side and it seemed to be the real deal. So there you have it, the Bass Pro Shops XTS crankbait, a truly inexpensive crankbait that is not only durable but performs well and catches fish like there is no tomorrow!!!!! Just grab some short shank treble hooks in a size #6 and you'll have a great bait for under $4.00, and before I forget, it claims the diving depth is 6' but in reality with 10lb copolymer it runs 4', so go grab some, you'll be glad you did.
Josh Smith reply :
My best fish have come in on the old stuff.
I have no idea if Mr. Childress designed the one you reference.
Mr. Mann's designs have all been very good to me.
Josh
rhino reply :
I have tried these out once in the past. Caught some nice bass with it in my Grandfathers pond.
Comfortably Numb reply :
Which one?
http://www.basspro.com/Brand-Bass-Pro-Shops/Fishing-Baits-Lures-Hard-Bait-Lures/Type-Crankbaits/_/N-1z0xf1dZ1z0uxaqZ1z0waq8
t4bama reply :
Not sure believe it's the 2.99 oneOn 10/30/2014 at 11:44 AM, Comfortably Numb said:Which one?
http://www.basspro.com/Brand-Bass-Pro-Shops/Fishing-Baits-Lures-Hard-Bait-Lures/Type-Crankbaits/_/N-1z0xf1dZ1z0uxaqZ1z0waq8
Sam reply :
You have proven that the bass don't care about the brand name, the price or where you purchased your baits.
If they see them; if they like them; if they want to eat or kill them; that is all that matters.
fishballer06 reply :
Just went on Bass Pro's website for probably the first time in months. Looks like they have free shipping with no minimum order, today only. I ordered one of these baits to give it a try. Can't go wrong for $3.
Alonerankin2 reply :
I bought a few in like 02 or 03 for my son.. I was teaching him, he would clobber LMB on those baits... They had way small saltwater type hooks on them. Swapped with gammys...
Josh Smith reply :
I'm not liking smalljaw.
My birthday is November 5 and so I'm not buying myself anything right now. I got an email a couple days ago from BPS informing me of the free shipping that fishballer mentioned.
I ordered a bunch up and was one click away from confirming the order when my conscience stopped me. Dammit.
Josh
Choporoz reply :
"Available for backorder."
You guys must have cleaned them out....lol...that monkey's one cruel, contagious beast
primetime reply :
If the Monkey is in your ear, hitting the Academy website for deals on cranks is never a bad idea but it takes $50 for free shipping and the website never works so you have plenty of time to change your mind as you have to call in the order if trying to pay with paypal or at least I do as the page always shows an error on checkout. I just purchased their house brand hooks and some lures and also their line and have been impressed with it, I think a few are coming to Orlando so I can't wait to have a new place to buy lures I don't need....
smalljaw67 reply :
On 10/30/2014 at 11:44 AM, Comfortably Numb said:Which one?
http://www.basspro.com/Brand-Bass-Pro-Shops/Fishing-Baits-Lures-Hard-Bait-Lures/Type-Crankbaits/_/N-1z0xf1dZ1z0uxaqZ1z0waq8
It is the only bait that is $2.99, it is the XTS crank, not XPS but XTS. We were out yesterday and I was in a hurry and I wanted to make sure I had my jerkbait box with me as a cold front had come through and it made me think I'd have to slow down. It turns out I was right but I forgot my new XTS cranks at home but it didn't matter, the cold front shut the fish down and a jerkbait and tube were much better but my buddy still managed 5 fish on that crankbait, I tried the 1.5s that I had and didn't get a sniff, something to that bait as it caught fish even when the other baits were clearly doing better.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Manns and normans Excaliburs also
Mike L reply :
On 10/30/2014 at 5:39 AM, smalljaw67 said:I'll be honest, I was considering not posting this but then I figured not many will be fishing my water anyway so I'll let you in on something I discovered by accident. I was out fishing on Monday, we were into some serious smallmouth, and all of them on crankbaits and out of 50+ fish, the smallest was 16.5" with the biggest 21.5" and our best 5 was 21lbs 8oz. it was chaos. My buddy was doing the damage with the big fish, I caught the smallest one at 16.5" and my biggest was 19.5" and they were caught on a KVD 1.5 in chartreuse sexy shad. My buddy's smallest was 18" and his fish all came on 1 bait, a cheap lure called a Lew's Speed Crank in a color called blue chartreuse the was close to the chartreuse sexy shad I was using, I was stumped as I never heard of it before. Well after our day was over we got home and my buddy goes in the house and brings out the package the crankbait came in. It said "Lew's Speed Lures" on top and on the bottom it said "Speed Crank", on the back it was a Bass Pro Shops brand that used VMC hooks and so with that info I headed down to BPS yesterday to find out where these were. I asked a guy who worked there and he didn't know but a customer who overheard me ask knew about them, he pointed me to the BPS XTS crankbait and sure enough it was it. Well the bait is listed as 1/3oz but it has small size #8 hooks, my buddy informed of that and told me he switched his out to the KVD 2X short shank triple grip in a size #6 with no change in action so I grabbed the hooks too. Now I'm not the type to see a bait work one time and I have to get it but when I see it consistently get big fish every time it is used and the way the fish were eating it, well it was unreal as every fish just choked it and the price of these baits.....$2.99!!!!!! This bait has caught big fish since the crankbait bite started a couple weeks back, the only difference is that when it started I was able to keep pace with a spinnerbait and it was good fishing but it wasn't the kind of numbers we had this time so I didn't bother finding out what bait it was until we fished cranks side by side and it seemed to be the real deal. So there you have it, the Bass Pro Shops XTS crankbait, a truly inexpensive crankbait that is not only durable but performs well and catches fish like there is no tomorrow!!!!! Just grab some short shank treble hooks in a size #6 and you'll have a great bait for under $4.00, and before I forget, it claims the diving depth is 6' but in reality with 10lb copolymer it runs 4', so go grab some, you'll be glad you did.
This report couldn't have come at a better time for me.
I was thinking about trying something new for a while, but just didn't know what to get next.
Thanks!!
On 10/30/2014 at 5:01 PM, Sam said:You have proven that the bass don't care about the brand name, the price or where you purchased your baits.
If they see them; if they like them; if they want to eat or kill them; that is all that matters.
"Hey Dad...you got so much stuff in here, what should I try first,
I think they'll eat this"
Here, read this...
Mike
fishballer06 reply :
Well I got my XTS crankbait in yesterday that I ordered from BPS upon recommendation of smalljaw67. This was my first ever BPS brand lure that I've ever bought, so I didn't know what to expect.
First impression:
I ordered the Ghost Spook color. Considering the color had "ghost" in the name, I was expecting a clear lure with paint over it. Not the case at all, and the lure looks a fair bit different from what was pictured on the website. Second thing that popped out to me was the hooks. The website lists "VMC premium trebles". I know that Rapala and Storm use VMC hooks and those hooks are great stock hooks. Again, disappointed with what I got. The hooks are a cheap, dull, shiny nickle treble in what looks to be a size 8. These little hooks will definitely need to be replaced with a sharper and larger hook, before I ever fish them (this lure is 2 1/2" long).
Overall:
I guess you get what you pay for. It's definitely not something on par with say a $6 Srike King 1.5, or a $5 Manns Baby 1-, so I guess you can't complain with the $3 price tag. But the lure will definitely need new hooks before I throw it. With it being such a cheap lure, I will feel much more comfortable throwing this lure around areas that I would be more afraid of losing my more expensive baits. Only time will tell if these lures will catch fish for me.
Choporoz reply :
fb6, I had that same conversation with myself last night. It reminded me of a lure I'd expect in the dollar bin at Wally World. I just hope it has some action if I'm going to the trouble of putting good hooks on it.
fishballer06 reply :
Yes, seems very similar of a lure of that caliber. I guess my biggest let down is that by the time I put some good hooks on there, I'm basically at a $5 lure at that point. Which puts it at the same cost as a SK or Manns crank.
smalljaw67 reply :
On 11/6/2014 at 12:11 AM, fishballer06 said:Well I got my XTS crankbait in yesterday that I ordered from BPS upon recommendation of smalljaw67. This was my first ever BPS brand lure that I've ever bought, so I didn't know what to expect.
First impression:
I ordered the Ghost Spook color. Considering the color had "ghost" in the name, I was expecting a clear lure with paint over it. Not the case at all, and the lure looks a fair bit different from what was pictured on the website. Second thing that popped out to me was the hooks. The website lists "VMC premium trebles". I know that Rapala and Storm use VMC hooks and those hooks are great stock hooks. Again, disappointed with what I got. The hooks are a cheap, dull, shiny nickle treble in what looks to be a size 8. These little hooks will definitely need to be replaced with a sharper and larger hook, before I ever fish them (this lure is 2 1/2" long).
Overall:
I guess you get what you pay for. It's definitely not something on par with say a $6 Srike King 1.5, or a $5 Manns Baby 1-, so I guess you can't complain with the $3 price tag. But the lure will definitely need new hooks before I throw it. With it being such a cheap lure, I will feel much more comfortable throwing this lure around areas that I would be more afraid of losing my more expensive baits. Only time will tell if these lures will catch fish for me.
I mentioned in my post that I didn't use the stock hooks, I got a pack of KVD elite 2X short shank triple grip hooks in a size #6 and put them on. I have these hooks but I always buy them when there is a sale because I change almost all my hooks out on cranks and I stand by my review. You may not like the way that bait looks, I have blue chartreuse, shad and glimmer shad and while I will admit they aren't the prettiest bait but don't knock it until you try it. I thought the same thing as you, there really wasn't anything to it until we got to fishing, the larger fish were absolutely chocking that bait and not just once or twice but consistently for over 20 fish, between me and my friend we got 50+ and his all came on that bait, I switched up and threw other baits to keep catching fish but everytime we got 1 over 19" it was on the XTS. Then a few days later a coldd front came through and killed the crankbait bite, I managed some good fish on a jerkbait and a tube but my friend was still using the crankbait and he caught 5 smallies and 2 walleye, I was using a few different cranks and to no avail, I couldn't get a bite. Take that bait and fish with it, I got a half doxen now and I'm happy I have them, they may not look like much but the fish found them appealing.
t4bama reply :
Well...I tried to order the XTS in blue chartreuse from BPS it was on backorder but now BPS sent me a message my backorder has been cancelled. That color is no longer offered don't know if was smalljaw67 post or everybody is catching them on this bait. Makes me want one really bad now lol.
ABW reply :
The CRS crankbaits that Academy makes are very good too. I got a bunch when they were on sale for 2.99
t4bama reply :
On 12/4/2014 at 7:15 AM, asianboywonder said:The CRS crankbaits that Academy makes are very good too. I got a bunch when they were on sale for 2.99
I'll give them a try, Thanks
HoosierHawgs reply :
Bass Pro Shops XPS Square Bill or other XPS Series crankbaits. $4.29 a pop or $15 for a 5 pack. Good quality baits. Durable, good action, and they catch
They have everything from Wakes to Flat Sided Deep Divers. They are good baits for a store brand.
ABW reply :
On 12/4/2014 at 7:23 AM, t4bama said:I'll give them a try, Thanks
They are pretty darn good. This is one that I lost in the water before, and two weeks later I found it washed up against a bank. Just have to add some split rings and trebles.
t4bama reply :
On 12/4/2014 at 7:49 AM, asianboywonder said:They are pretty darn good. This is one that I lost in the water before, and two weeks later I found it washed up against a bank. Just have to add some split rings and trebles.
That's a good looking square bill, I'll defiantly give them a try. Do you change the stock hooks out or fish what comes on them?
ABW reply :
On 12/4/2014 at 7:59 AM, t4bama said:That's a good looking square bill, I'll defiantly give them a try. Do you change the stock hooks out or fish what comes on them?
Nope. They come with VMC's and they're actually pretty sharp so I leave them. I took them off because they had rust on them from being in the water for 2 weeks
t4bama reply :
Awesome, asianboywonder what's your favorite color in this square bill?
ABW reply :
On 12/4/2014 at 8:04 AM, t4bama said:Awesome, asianboywonder what's your favorite color in this square bill?
I haven't used all of the ones I bought, but I really like the Smelt one, which is the one I posted previously, Blue chartreuse, and Shellcracker
t4bama reply :
There's something about that Blue chartreuse that just works.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/4/2014 at 7:15 AM, asianboywonder said:The CRS crankbaits that Academy makes are very good too. I got a bunch when they were on sale for 2.99
These are about the only squarebill I use anymore. They just came out with some new colors too that are SWEET! Lots of good colors, rattling and silent versions, good finish and durable bodies/bills. Hooks aren't bad but I switch them out with St 36s and they're ready to rock!
iceintheveins reply :
The "Vicious" line of cranks are very good too, though small and best for finesse presentations.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/10/2014 at 5:10 AM, iceintheveins said:The "Vicious" line of cranks are very good too, though small and best for finesse presentations.
I really wish they'd make a bigger version of those baits. I was excited to get mine when I bought some, then disappointed by the little baits I got. I've caught fish on them, but I was hoping for bigger baits when I ordered them.
WhiteMike1018 reply :
Nice review i will look into these
primetime reply :
The Academy H20 Slush Daddy Prop bait is a killer topwater lure....Double prop bait is great for schooling fish or for covering water early when you don't want a buzzbait, I am starting to use these because of the colors instead of the crazy shad, and I need to try the longer version but I doubt it is a Devils Horse....The H20 line of tackle in general is very impressive not only for price, but I have had days with that 3/8 lipless crank where it is everything my Spro's and Red Eyes are.....
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