New Crankbaits Need Help???

[wwarren8200]

I'm buying about $180 worth of crankbaits. I need help choosing. I'm somewhat experienced with crankbaits and need about 5 that are geared towards big bass and power fishing that way I can cover all depths and scenarios with per say 5 baits with 5 colors for each as opposed to 10 baits with 2-3 colors apiece. Thanks, Will W.

[gripnrip]

Only $180????  LOL.  I'd go with SK if I were starting out.  They are good baits to start out with.  Just make sure and get some quality replacement hooks.

 

Go to their website www.strikeking.com and research what you like to purchase.

[wwarren8200]

I know i know... $180 ain't much but it's all i have extra right now. Thanks for the advice. Thanks,Will W.

[Montanaro]

I don't mean to be rude...but I don't think you should be buying $180 worth of anything if you don't know much about it.

Start off with different sized strike king kvd to cover different depths and sizes. This shouldn't run you more than 50 bucks. To be honest you could just buy 3 or 4 shallow running squarebills to gain confidence.

[wwarren8200]

I've fished cranks before I fish tournaments and I was just going to see what people rely on now the most so I dont have to spend too much on stuff that I wont use. Thanks, Will W.

[flyfisher]

Maybe I am a little confused but if you have used cranks what did you use and what did you like or not like about them?  I personally prefer rapala cranks in their DT series to cover all the depths and i also like their square bills along.  I do like the SK in the mid ranges but not a fan of the square bills.

 

I like fishing cranks for sure and fish them often but i am not at the level where i can tell the major differences between the various brands even though i do have a bunch of different manufacturers  

 

Depending on your lake just get some to cover the depths you want to fish and then see hat you like and get more in different colors later on....i wouldn't be able to spend that kind of coin all on something i wasn't sure what i wanted.

[wwarren8200]

I'm sorry if I confused you. I just stopped throwing them because of high prices. I sold all my cranks about a year ago. I'm getting back with their awesome power as I realized that I can't win many tournaments without them. Thanks, Will W.

[brandonss]

I like spro cranks really like the Russian lane series fat poppa 55 an 70

[wwarren8200]

Thanks I wish I could afford those Will W.

[NathanW]

My opinion. You only need three colors. A Shad pattern. A ghost pattern. A bright pattern. Build confidance in those three and buy spares of each. If i had to choose only 5 baits for my waters it would be so easy. Sk 3xd, sk 5xd, rapala dt4, dt6, and sk red eyed Shad. Good luck with your search.

[wwarren8200]

Thanks for the input. Thanks, Will W.

[iabass8]

that's going to be a tough one. i don't like one specific brand for all cranking needs. SK squrebills and their 4s series are good, inexpensive squarebills/shallow divers. the 4s/1s series are more buoyant than the 1.5s as well.  spro fat johns are fantastic little squarebills that i like around wood and super shallow docks/wood, i like the lc 1.5 for scattered rock but the prefer the kvd 1.5 if i'm around a huge amount of zebra muscle rip rap because they just get tore up. i still have some zoom WEC cranks that i throw in certain backwater areas that have a little more clarity and wood cover. this is just shallow divers too. Mid divers, the SK 3xd and 5xd are hard to beat based on price vs performance.  

 

If you're planning on buying 180$ worth of cranks, I'd scour the internet message board market places or flea bay and look for people selling various lots of  cranks. you'll get so much more that way than you would at a major retailer. you'll be left with a lot more for quality hooks as well. if you aren't going to blow all the cash at once, just pick up a few quality cranks here and there and find the ones you like the most. if you're in an area that has fishing expos (expo season is starting right now) you can often times find a lot of crazy deals at them as well.

[wwarren8200]

Thanks for the AWESOME feedback! It'll really help, thanks, Will W.

[JeziHogg]

Honestly, go with SK's. They work and they're pretty cheap even when upgrading the hook. You have to remember to use a crank bait properly you have to throw them and deflect them off of some structure and cover, therefore loosing baits. Why get a super expensive on like a Megabass when you will eventually loose it.

[Bluebasser86]

I agree with going with the Strike King series of baits. Great color options, proven baits, and they cover all depths. If you were just trying to stay with 1 brand of bait, that's what I'd go with. As far as which baits, for me it would be a Series 1, KVD 1.5, series 3, series 5, and 6XD. As far as colors go, I'd have to have chart/black back, sexy shad, green gizzard shad, sexy ghost minnow, and neon bluegill. 

[ww2farmer]

Three colors will do...........a craw color, a shad color, and a bluegill color.

 

The baits;

 

SK KVD 1.5

 

SK 1/2 oz. RES

 

Storm Wiggle wart

 

SK 5xd

 

Manns Baby 1-

 

Those will cover you from top to bottom, cold to warm water, all 4 seasons, and can be thrown  on "regular" tackle...IE not cranking specific gear. Which is nice to have, but IMHO not needed for those baits.

[wwarren8200]

Thanks man thats some great input! Thanks,Will W.

[big poppa]

Go with Strike King. 3xds and 5xds are my go to. 4s for the square bill in heavy cover. Honestly you only need a few colors, match the hatch and youll be good. 

[wwarren8200]

Thanks for the tip, Will W.

[Volboy]

Here's my shopping list:

2 #5 shad raps

2 # 7 shad raps

4 200 series Bandit

4 300 series Bandit

4 SK square bills (KVD 1.5)

4 SK Series 5

4 SK Series 6 xd

2 SK 1/2 Red Eye Shad rattle baits

Assortment of #2,4,6 Owner Stinger trebles to replace all the hooks

You can cover pretty much all depths and situations without breaking the bank here. Buy more craw colors for the Spring/ shallower models, and for the 300's and deeper get mostly shad and chartreuse baits.

[Jrob78]

I like spro cranks really like the Russian lane series fat poppa 55 an 70

Huh?  

 

Figure out the depths you want to fish and buy crankbaits to cover those depths.  You've already been given good advice.  Strike King, Rapala, Bandit, Bomber, XCalibur and H20 Xpress at Academy all make good baits that don't cost a fortune.  Buy a few you like and start fishing.  You will figure out what works for you and what doesn't.  

[wwarren8200]

Thanks for all the good input,Will W.

[Fishes in trees]

Where you gonna fish em?  For normal crank fishing, points & bumping bottom and stuff like that, the previous suggestions are all ok.  If you are going to be fishing wood, crowns of sunken trees, sunken bushes, stuff like that, there isn't any substitute for Timber Tigers.  hey come through wood & bushes better than any other crank I've found.

[jhoffman]

As much as you were all hyped up about the 10xd's on the board I cant believe no one mentioned it. I personally dont throw it but if youre not considering 20ft plus mid summer, forget about it. You can catch em up tight on cranks mid summer but that bite is usually so short lived first thing in the morning that youve gotta be ready to back out shortly after daybreak.

[flyfisher]

Where you gonna fish em?  For normal crank fishing, points & bumping bottom and stuff like that, the previous suggestions are all ok.  If you are going to be fishing wood, crowns of sunken trees, sunken bushes, stuff like that, there isn't any substitute for Timber Tigers.  hey come through wood & bushes better than any other crank I've found.

Haven't heard of those but they look pretty cool.  I may have to add a few to my next order