Crankbait_Kid Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 Was looking at Bass Pro Shops and saw the XPS Professional Series Hardbaits. I was just wondering if anyone has used them and what they think of them. How deep does the shallow flatsided one and deep one dive? Quote
RandySBreth Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 I've used the medium crank and one of the jerkbaits. Pretty good value for the money. I haven't used the two you mention, though. Quote
21farms Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 i've used several different XPS hardbaits. here are my impressions: XPS rattle shad (not in their professional series): very noisy and catches fish but it is relatively light and not good for a fast retrieve unless you want to fish very shallow. XPS walker: consistently lays on one side. i have three of them and they all do it. unacceptable. XPS suspending jerkbait: super thin hooks and i don't trust them. i tried changing them out to something better but it caused the lure to sink. even with the stock hooks, they do not suspend like the lucky crafts...the tail end tends to dive, taking the rest of the lure with it UNLESS you're constantly jerking it forward. XPS medium diver: much smaller than expected. i ordered it online and, when it arrived, was very surprised at how small it was. have not fished it because of that. in summary, the XPS pro hardbaits have nice colors and good finishes but the hooks are questionable and the actions are inconsistent. they're not cheap either...at $6-$8 a pop, i think you're better off with rapalas, normans, etc. the best XPS bait i've used is their rattle shad which is not in the professional series...even so, it is light for its size and doesn't cast as far as competing rattlebaits. Quote
Crankbait_Kid Posted March 1, 2010 Author Posted March 1, 2010 Thanks a lot Snoopy. That was very informative. I think I will take your advise and stay away from the XPS baits. Quote
RandySBreth Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 Wow, the two models I've used I picked up at the outlet store (I live close) and they were like two bucks a pop. Maybe they put the only ones that worked on clearance so they sell the rest to the snoopy?! Quote
Crankbait_Kid Posted March 1, 2010 Author Posted March 1, 2010 Lol Randy. I dont know. I am just interested in not paying 15-20 dollars per bait. No matter the manufacturer there are always mixed reviews. Quote
WdyCrankbait Posted March 1, 2010 Posted March 1, 2010 @Crankbait kid I have used the Nitro XPS lures medium diving cranks and done pretty well with them. (Their Sexy Shad rip-off color) But, I would not trust the others. Quote
Super User iceintheveins Posted March 2, 2010 Super User Posted March 2, 2010 My experiences have been good with them, and the XPS Rattle Shad is my favorite lipless crank. Quote
bassman31783 Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 One of my go too baits is a jerkbait & my experience with the XPS jerkbait has been great. I totally agree with Snoopy that the stock hooks suck. With that being said, I change ALL my baits stock treble hooks to Owner ST-41. Are the XPS baits an even substitute to Lucky Craft, Jackall, Megabass, or any other top end hard bait company? NO!!! Are they a great substitute for Strike King, Bomber, Rapala, or Norman. YES!!! My advice would be to buy a few & see how they feel to you. If you hate them no worries, they were only a few bucks a piece. If you love them, great you found yourself a killer deal. Quote
Kowen117 Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 BUY the xps there great i have lots of them and love there topwaters and cranks he is right though i would change the hooks Quote
crankbait2009 Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 last year was my first year at fishing and i bought a few of the XPS "The Egg" cranks. i used those more times than not due to the fact that my waters are between 0-2ft deep, these were perfect. the ones i have go from 0-1ft in depth. i would recommend them! heres a link for them. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_51816____SearchResults then again, after saying all that, i think you were asking only about the professional series. i have tried this buzzbait in the color shown. i used a few times but came up empty. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_74325____SearchResults Quote
IwillChooseFreeWill Posted March 2, 2010 Posted March 2, 2010 I have a few small (3/16oz) and medium (1/2oz) XPS shallow suspending cranks that do decent on the river but because of the heavy vegetation I don't bother in many of the lakes here... at least not until I modify one to look like a baby bass and/or bluegill Quote
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