Who makes the best crankbaits? What's your favorite? 2024
Micro reply :
I've fished lotsa Bombers, some Rebels, and lotsa Rapalas, and a few others. I don't think I've ever fished a Bandit or a Bagley (I know I don't own one). I hear Bandits and Bagleys are the bomb-diggity of balsa cranks.
Who makes the best crankbaits? What's your favorite?
Thinkin' about getting me some Bagleys and Bandits.
Jake. reply :
My vote is for Lucky Craft. They ALWAYS run true right out of the box and have killer paint jobs. My favorite LC is the RC 1.5 in Copper Green Shad.
5bass reply :
I'm not big on Bandits but Bagley's are great cranks. I really like the BB1 and BB2, plus the DKB's. The Bomber Model B's are made of balsa and I've been throwing them since they came out....they are great cranks around brush.
I guess my all time favorite crank hasn't changed but I'm using it less and less each year with all the new baits coming out. That's the #5 Rapala Shad Rap. A little hard to throw sometimes but it's a consistent producer.
Jimzee reply :
Boy you're gonna get a lot of answers on this topic. I think it will be like rods and reels, only favorites listed.
I say my favorite at the moment is the Rapala DT series. I've just became interested in cranks in the past year and have purchased many here recently. I will not have a good idea of a solid favorite until the spring. Some names I have purchased recently include WEC, Evergreen, OSP, and Zip. I still like my Megabass, Jackal, Lucky Craft, and others, but I find myself using the DT's more.
Marty reply :
QuoteWho makes the best crankbaits?
I don't think there's an answer. Over the course of 38 years I've used many brand and models, most of which can get the job done. They all have properties that appeal to a fish's senses.
QuoteWhat's your favorite?
Rapala Original Shad Rap. Don't ask me why, I just have a lot of confidence in it, but I haven't attempted to test it and try to determine if it's better than others.
.dsaavedra. reply :
my friend you are wrong...rapala is the bomb diggity of balsas!!!!! ;D
i dont even think bandit makes balsa baits. i could be wrong.
but my vote goes to rapala with the best cranks by far!!!! amazing quality at a very affordable price.
bandits would be my second choice, they make some good baits to cover all depths.
Micro reply :
QuoteBoy you're gonna get a lot of answers on this topic. I think it will be like rods and reels, only favorites listed.
Of course. But what else do we have to do? My wife's ironing and my kids are playing their Wii. 
Jimzee reply :
QuoteQuoteBoy you're gonna get a lot of answers on this topic. I think it will be like rods and reels, only favorites listed.Of course. But what else do we have to do? My wife's ironing and my kids are playing their Wii.
Good point. Come on people, give us the lowdown on the crankbaits you like to use. I have a serious crankbait buying bug since I'm stuck in the house.
Oscar O. reply :
I love the Wii! ;D Anyway i have to agree with some of the previous posts that the Original Shad Rap is my favorite. I don't think that i have many other brand crankbaits, or other hardbaits for that matter, the price is great and so is the quality.
F15HGuy reply :
Rapala DTs are the best that I can afford. I hope this spring to try some of the Lucky Craft cranks. I also might try some custom balsas. I think Marty said it best, it's all about confidence. As long as you have confidence in what you use stick with it.
Micro reply :
Quotei dont even think bandit makes balsa baits. i could be wrong.
Could be. I don't have any Bandits. But I'm just interested in people's best cranks - balsa or plastic.
I like Rapalas, too. I usually fish cranks most when the water gets cold. Rapala DTs in chartreuse and orange, or in red craw colors produce well for me. I've caught a lot on Bomber Fat As in red craw colors and fire tiger. Rebel Crawfish in various sizes in red and chartreuse do well, too.
In spring I do pretty well with Rapala Fat Raps in silver and perch color. I also do pretty well with Bomber Square As over grass. Shad Raps in perch, firetiger, gold and silver always produce something.
I bought some Glass Shad Raps and am looking forward to trying these.
Munkin reply :
Well since I am a shallow cranker I cannot give any opinions on the deep divers but here are my 5 favorite in no particular order.
1. LC RC 1.5
2. Bandit 100
3. Rebel Wee-R
4. Mann's baby 1-
5. Diawa Ti crank (not sure what the actual name is but it is the shallow diving one with the titanium lib)
Now I own at least 300 crankbaits and a lot of them work but these work all the time.
Allen
.dsaavedra. reply :
QuoteNow I own at least 300 crankbaits and a lot of them work but these work all the time.
HOLY FREAKING CRAP!!!! thats alot of crankbaits! wish i had taht many :
Jimzee reply :
QuoteWell since I am a shallow cranker I cannot give any opinions on the deep divers but here are my 5 favorite in no particular order.1. LC RC 1.5
2. Bandit 100
3. Rebel Wee-R
4. Mann's baby 1-
5. Diawa Ti crank (not sure what the actual name is but it is the shallow diving one with the titanium lib)
Now I own at least 300 crankbaits and a lot of them work but these work all the time.
Allen
That Rebel Wee-R has put a lot of bass in my boat. The biggest bass I have ever seen in person was hooked on a Rebel Wee-R. Notice I said "hooked". My brother rookied it up.
Avalonjohn44 reply :
Bandits are plastic. They are excellent cranks. I have caught more on a bandit 100 than any other crankbait. They are my favorite plastic cranks, come in a million colors, and simply produce a lot of fish.
I have gotten heavily into Bagley's this year, and have built up a pretty big collection of them. They also catch a ton of fish, but the durability of these baits is questionable. One cast onto a rock and the lure is just about done unless you get lucky. I will start giving all of my bagleys an extra few epoxy coats this winter. Other than durability, Bagley's might have the best action of all cranks.
Other good cranks are Lucky Craft Rick Clunn 1.5s, Anything Megabass, and anything Rapala. I don't bother with Mann's, Bomber, or Norman lures, I have had too much trouble with them - from extreme fragility, to never running true...
LCpointerKILLA reply :
I like the shad rap and had a lot of success with it in the past. Shallow water-wise I like the Luckycraft RC 1.5, but I'll go as small as an RC .5, the latter has caught some large fish.
basspro48 reply :
I'm a huge fan of Bandit and Bagley cranks, but I also have my share of LC's, Lee Sisson's, and a couple Norman's....
These are my top 5 fish catchers for local waters.
1. Bandit 100 series. Chart/Shad
2. Bandit 200 series. Rootbeer
3. Bagley Kill'r B. Brown/Craw
4. Bagley B-Flat. Tennessee Shad
5. LC Gerald Swindle mini GDS. Chart/Shad
And here's a few baits that I know I can catch fish on pretty much anywhere...
1. Bandit 200 series. Chart/Shad
2. LC Rick Clunn series. Copper Green Shad
3. 1/4oz Rat-L-Trap. Chrome/Blue back
I like these baits because they just flat out catch fish for me consistently.
Other. reply :
I really like Bandit 100's and Bandit 300's. They WERE plentiful at my local Dick's but I went there twice and there were hardly any. They have a practically a whole row for Rapela. But only leave a 3 foot area for Bandit, Rebel, Bill Lewis, and Yo-zuri all cramped up.
My favorites
1. Bandit 100's and 300's
2. Manns Baby -1
3. Lew's Speed Lures. (The hooks are crap though so I replace them)
Micro reply :
Quote3. Lew's Speed Lures. (The hooks are crap though so I replace them)
I'm glad someone mentioned Lews. These lures are cheap, probably because of the crap hooks they put on them. Otherwise, they seem to be well made, have good actions and the finishes seem to hold up very well.
I got several from my kids for Christmas a few years ago. They got them out of he bargain bin and put them in my stocking. They were the shallow runners. They picked red craw, white shad, sparkely white shad and firetiger (probably 'cuz they thought they were pretty). They got me a handful of the diving kind, too. I tried them and was pretty impressed with the way they acted. I replaced the hooks on most of them with larger trebles because the ones they came with were too small. I've caught several nice fish with them. I bought a few of the minnows and jointed minnows, too. These are pretty nice as well. Good bait for under $3. You gotta factor in better hooks. And get a pack of adhesive eyes because they tend to fall off.
Mid-MO reply :
Personally, I prefer Norman Middle N's and Deep Little N's. I also use a Wiggle Wart almost year round (on Lake of the Ozarks). Those are my two top choices.
Norman crankbaits almost always look better in the water - the glitter really makes a difference. Strike King produces a decent crankbait as well - plus they are about as cheap as any.
I've tried Bandit and had problems with them cracking on rock. I've also tried Rapala & Bomber but never liked them much either. I throw Lucky Craft Pointers but can't bring myself to buy the crankbaits ($15 a piece) the way I lose crankbaits.
I've never been a fan of Bass Pro's line of lures but I'm intrigued by the new Pro Series they have out this year. Look like a knock off of Lucky Craft and about 1/2 the price. Lots of good colors too. I'll probably try these out too.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_74320_100005001_100000000_100005000_100-5-1
Triton9 reply :
i'd have to say that Bandit is my fav crankbait co. i have caught more fish on bandit cranks then any other cranks i have ever used COMBINED. bandits are a mainstay in my arsenal. my fav. bandit model would have to be either the 100 or 200 series. great cranks all around, they're cheap, and they perform as well if not better then 90% of the expensicve cranks i have tried. give the ol' Bandits a try.
FishTank reply :
Here are my favorites in order.
1. Lucky Craft Flat Minis
2. Rapala DT's
3. Bomber Model A
4. Manns -1
Ky_Lake_Dude reply :
Bandit 100-300 series and the Flat Maxx series are by far my favorite crankbaits. I also like the Strike King crankbaits. The only problem with those is the backs will split sometimes. I really like Lucky Craft too but I haven't had a much better catch rate for me to want to pay that high price. I highly recommend Bandits because they are productive and are in a reasonable price range. One problem with Bandits though is that they usually need a little bit of tuning out of the box but they are so productive for me I don't mind tuning them a little bit.
Jeff H reply :
My favorites are Rapala. The old #5 and #7 Fat Raps are my #1, perch color has been my top producer in recent years. I also like the Manns Baby 1- in the spring. I really don't crank much, fish jerk baits WAY more often.
Branuss04 reply :
I've always like the Normans, but found a Poe's and am starting to fall for them. The Normans are more in my price range also.
Stringjam reply :
Shallow:
Marty Burns Flatside
D-Bait
Zoom WEC Z-Flat
Buckeye Lake Luv Plug
Lucky Craft Flat CB SR, LC 1.5, and BDS
Bagley KB1 (round lip)
Mid-Depth:
Storm Wiggle Wart
Poe's RC3, 200, and 300
Rapala Shad Rap
Marty Burns Custom
Original Bombers & Arbogast Mud Bugs (they still work!)
Smith LTD Rong Ching
Deep:
Imakatsu IK-400
Poe's Comp Cedars 4400
Megabass Deep-X 200
Jackall Muscle Deep 15+
Really deep:
Marty Burns Custom
and the Poe's Comp Cedars 4500LR
T-rig reply :
Here a few of my favorites:
Imakatsu IK-400
Zip Bait B-Switcher 4.0
Imakatsu IK-250
Tiemco Diving Pepper
Raul reply :
Out of the 600+ cranks I own 80% of them are Rapala.
Which one is my favorite: Shad Rap in all it 's sizes and variations.
norm2525 reply :
My two favorite cranks are norman DLN's and storm wiggle warts. Mainly because they are good producers where I live. I also like the Lucky Craft RC's.
Jimzee reply :
I got this one in the mail today. Can't wait to throw it.
MN Basser reply :
Rapala DT Series....Haven't tried any others.
BaitMS reply :
Lipped:
Bandit 100 and 200 series
Rapala DT series 4 and 6.
These baits are just too good for the price.
Lipless:
The Yozuri Rattln vibe.
Stringjam reply :
QuoteI got this one in the mail today. Can't wait to throw it.
They don't work......I'll give ya $10 for it - just because it's New Year's and all...
Jimzee reply :
QuoteQuoteI got this one in the mail today. Can't wait to throw it.
They don't work......I'll give ya $10 for it - just because it's New Year's and all...
Deal!!
otto reply :
Ya cant go wrong with lucky craft and if youre going to go cheap go with balxe their decent for under $3
otto reply :
Sorry for the typo is blaze lures
Micro reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteI got this one in the mail today. Can't wait to throw it.
They don't work......I'll give ya $10 for it - just because it's New Year's and all...
Deal!!
What is it? I can't make out the tag. ??? Custome Lures.
flippincrazy reply :
I fish a lot of shallow cranks, 10ft or less. I really like bandits. There are other's though, as long as it runs good and stright and you bump cover with it, I don't think you can really go wrong.
T-rig reply :
QuoteWhat is it? I can't make out the tag. ??? Custome Lures.
Here you can find some:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&dfsp=32&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=zoom+crankbait&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=6900&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=32&fsoo=2
Jake. reply :
QuoteQuoteWhat is it? I can't make out the tag. ??? Custome Lures.
Here you can find some:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&dfsp=32&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=zoom+crankbait&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=6900&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=32&fsoo=2
And here:
http://www.peepersbaits.com/baits/cranks/wec_main.html
Stringjam reply :
QuoteWhat is it? I can't make out the tag. ??? Custome Lures.
That particular crank is a Zoom Wobbler - - discontinued and very hard to find.
MALTESE FALCON reply :
Over the years, the one crank that has consistently put many fish in my live wells is the Rapala Shad Rap.
Recently I've been having good success with Norman's, Bomber, and Strike King.
Falcon
Micro reply :
I think BPS is dropping Bagley.
You can't find anything other than Bagley cranks at BPS (ie. no Bagley Shakey Head jigs). Now, all Bagley cranks are on clearance at BPS. Bagley isn't even included in the Master Catalog for 2008. Most Bagley cranks are $4.98 at BPS, with some as low as $2.99.
TournyFish001 reply :
I love crank baits own a bunch of them (modestly ), a few of my favs:
LC RC 1.5 and 2.5
LC CB 350
Megabass deep X 200t
Megabass flap slap- (weighted with storm lead) fishes like a rattle trap
luhr jensen speed trap 1/4oz
luhr jensen baby hotlips 1/4oz
Daiwa TD thin lip
Wiggle wart 3/8oz
Willzx225 reply :
After moving to the Carolinas I have found that I use crankbaits a whole lot more.
My top 5 would have to be:
Zoom Hicky (shhhh)
DT6
Speed Trap
Bandit 200
LC 1.5
I have recently picked up some Spro Little John Crankbaits and I am very impressed with them. Its nice to have a bait that acts like a custom flat side but casts very well in wind!
Micropterus - Atleast at the BPS in Charlotte, most of the Bagleys that are on sale are the "Original" Series in odd colors or odd models. The old standbys such as the B2's and DKB 2's are still regular price (unfortunately because the B2 is awesome in river systems)
Stringjam reply :
QuoteI have recently picked up some Spro Little John Crankbaits and I am very impressed with them. Its nice to have a bait that acts like a custom flat side but casts very well in wind!
How is the buoyancy?
Bankbeater reply :
I fish with more plastics now than I use to but here are the ones I still use.
Cotten Cordell Big-O. I have got some 30+ years old and they still catch fish.
Storm Wiggle Wart
Storm Sub Wart
Mann's 1-Minus
Bandit Footloose
Willzx225 reply :
Stringjam - The Little John is more of a Slow Riser - almost neutral - That might be one of the differences in this bait and a Zoom. The Zoom will rise a little faster than the LJ. The Little John has a tungsten weight transfer system in it that probably keeps it down moreso than a wood bait. Believe it or not though, the LJ is a pretty silent bait though. The weight system doesn't allow much side to side movement of the tungsten (hince the silentness). Very well constructed bait from what I've seen with my limited experience. I will keep everyone posted on how it takes abuse!
Siebert Outdoors reply :
Favorite Big M run great and he can make about anything I want. Yes I'm picky.
Factory baits, I like rapala, bandit 300 and dd22
.Paxamus. reply :
QuoteI think BPS is dropping Bagley.You can't find anything other than Bagley cranks at BPS (ie. no Bagley Shakey Head jigs). Now, all Bagley cranks are on clearance at BPS. Bagley isn't even included in the Master Catalog for 2008. Most Bagley cranks are $4.98 at BPS, with some as low as $2.99.
BUY THEM- I have a fair number of Bagley's. I caught my personal best on a Bagley Deep Killer Bee in a Tennessee shad pattern that was over 20 years old. The only problem with the new Bagley's is on the lip there is a lead weight right under the line tie. This thing will flip the crankbait around dutring the cast and "cross its legs" occasionally. I just file it down or bite it off with side biters and start crankin. I will get off of my Bagley soap box now, but man those things can catch some fish. By the way they have great customer service if you call their main number also. Here is a link to their site
www.bagleybait.com/
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