As much as I hate to say it the Rapala's just seem to work too well for me! (The reason I hate saying it, kind of feels like the Curado vs. Revo discussion.) I have had good success with Bandits, great crank. Also, the BPS Nitro series I have done well on. Those brands, and what "Bait Monkey," has told me to get, haha!
I use to STINK at crankbait fishing! I mean, I might as well been using a Flying lure to catch an Alien. Then, the DT's hit, I tried them and knocked them out.
For me, it seems to be the color patterns are what pull me to one brand over the other. I really like the Rapala colors, they seem to be a little "Sharper," then other brands. My two favorite colors are the yellow perch and more importantly Helsinki shad are just DYNAMITE! The darker back of the HS with a tint of purple almost at 4 plus feet on a fast retrieve! (Oops, I mean dont pay attention to that last sentence.)
Funny store real fast, i was fishing a tournament with a DT6 Helsinki shad, I was committed to that lure for the day. First cast, 5lb bass, my boater was shocked with I yelled for the net right away. Caught a couple more bass on the HS DT6, and I knew I needed one more good 3+lb. Well, as I finished that thought a good size shadow came up close to the boat and took the HS DT6. I was soo exicted because that was the size fish I was looking for. Well, it ended up being a catfish, I could not believe he chased it that far.
I have faith in the Rapalas and their colors, that's why I like them. A lot of fishing is being confident in what you are using.
I think BPS has the DT's during their Spring Fishing classic for $5, if I remember correctly.
Wdy