Favorite Brand Of Balsa Crankbaits

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I want to know what you all turn to for wooden crankbaits, be them balsa, cedar, what have you. Trying to discover some new brands. It can be a major brand or home made garage-style. Let us know!!!

[Avalonjohn44]

Bomber Model B is the most consistent balsa bait I fish. I love them, but they are getting hard to find for a good price. I grew up with Bagleys of all shapes and sizes, and they will always have a special place in my tackle box.

[aavery2]

I have a handful of the old Poes cedar cranks that I use from time to time, they still catch fish.

[Jrob78]

My favorite balsa baits by far are the Zoom WEC baits.  They have lots of different shapes and dive depths and they are very well made.  If you want a top notch balsa bait, this is it.  They aren't cheap though.  Peepers Baits has a big selection of Zooms, Simmons on ebay does as well.

 

Also, check out Lee Sisson Lures at sissonsdesignsdotcom, he makes a few different baits, they are very nice and cheaper than the Zooms.  The selection is much less though.  

 

I've bought some of the new Bagley's and I've had mixed results.  The baits look nice but I've gotten some with crooked bills.  If you buy these, make sure you look them over.

 

For cedar baits, check out Stanford Cedar, TW sells them.  These baits are top notch.  I have some of the Patriot Shad crankbaits and some of the Razor crankbaits.  They don't float as high as Balsa but they are more durable.  I highly recommend these baits.

[Bluebasser86]

Not balsa but the Rick Clunn Thunder Shad is a great bait. I have a bunch I keep just for tournaments and of those a handful are really special. I believe they're a cedar bait though. 

[tgm]

Bomber model B 1/2oz. great action,when Pradco stopped making these I picked up a dozen.Still use them all the time,

Cabela's made a balsa version of the Big O a few years ago,5/8 oz. work well,tough to find.

[MCS]

Bomber balsa B here as well. I have heard good things about the zoom WEC cranks too but never tried them. I sold my 2 balsa bs on flea bay for like 3 bucks shipped. It was before I knew better:( wish I had them back.

[smalljaw67]

Rapala has been my favorite balsa bait for my entire fishing life but my recent success on the Bagleys Bang-O-Lure has made them a must have in my box now.

[whitwolf]

Custom made by a board member.

[flipin4bass]

Rapala still makes good balsa cranks. I’ve been a fan of Rapala balsa lures for over 40 years, and have collected vintage Rapala lures for just as long. Rapala use to construct their lures from balsa blanks, that was cut down the center making two pieces. They would then cut a channel around the circumference in the halves in which to lay a wire form, hook hanger. The two halves were then glued together, sanded, and finished. Out of curiosity, I decided to sacrifice a DT lure manufactured last year to see how these lures were constructed today. I found that the front hook hanger is molded into a rattle chamber and although I was able to bend the wire with needle nose pliers, I could not pull it from the chamber. The rear hanger is still a “through wire,” elongated form, about 1.125”, laid in a channel and then sealed with what appears to an epoxy or glue. Although I own and use plastic lures from several different companies, I will always hold a special place for those ole balsa lures, especially those made by Rapala.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Bagleys

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Bomber Model B is the most consistent balsa bait I fish. I love them, but they are getting hard to find for a good price. I grew up with Bagleys of all shapes and sizes, and they will always have a special place in my tackle box.

When I found out they were discontinued, I went on a tear. I bought at least two dozen of them. Maybe 30. I didn't count. They are awesome baits!

[iabass8]

I purchased a handful of the zoom WEC cranks for a price that was almost unfair it was so low. they seem to constantly out perform most of my squarebills so i only use them if money is on the line.