Truth About Cranks?

[phinfanfrommd]

Ok, so I don't normally use cranks, but in the cooler seasons for me in MD, I enjoy using them in some of the lakes I fish, especially at the dam at Lake Linganore.

My question is, how much does it matter regarding the quality/price? I want to expand my cranks, but as I said, I rarely use them, and don't really feel like spending $8/crank. What about a lot of baits, mostly cranks, such as the one below for sale?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005F9GDVQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1410638695&sr=8-5π=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

What's the downsides to cheap cranks???!

[roadwarrior]

There are thousands of crankbaits, some work better than others.

I think your money is better spent on a few tried & true. Specifically

I would recommend the Norman Fat Boy, KVD 2.5, Red Eye Shad,

DT6 and Bandit 200 to start with.

 

 

 

[tcbass]

I've really liked the Arashi Crank rattling crank baits this year. If you go to Dick's Sporting Goods they usually cost $8 they usually just go on sale for buy one get one 1/2 off and that's a pretty good deal. I've had good success with Hot Chartreuse shad, same color that I have their Wake crank in, which I also really like.

 

 

I also like the Rapala Scatter Rap in Smash color.

[Raul]

You purchase tried and true no matter what, there's tons of tried and true that cost a few dollars, for example Rat L-Traps or Bandits that cost only a few dollars, and there's a big difference between a good low priced bait and a cheap bait, cheap = poor quality components, poor design, poor finish, lack of consitency, poor performances. Go cheap and be ready to spend a lot if times instead of spending once.

[Huntrava]

Ok, so I don't normally use cranks, but in the cooler seasons for me in MD, I enjoy using them in some of the lakes I fish, especially at the dam at Lake Linganore.

My question is, how much does it matter regarding the quality/price? I want to expand my cranks, but as I said, I rarely use them, and don't really feel like spending $8/crank. What about a lot of baits, mostly cranks, such as the one below for sale?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005F9GDVQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1410638695&sr=8-5π=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

What's the downsides to cheap cranks???!

 

If you're going to buy cheap cranks, might as well buy REALLY cheap cranks.  

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Lot-30-pcs-Kinds-of-Fishing-Lures-Crankbaits-Hooks-Minnow-Baits-Tackle-/191094960648?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c7e25b208

 

That said, caveat emptor my friend.  You may find a gem on the cheap.  Alternatively, you could end up with junk.  

[smalljaw67]

There are a lot of no-name cheap cranks on the market and to tell you the truth most of them, not all, but most are junk. There are a few models that offer good ones like the old Renegade baits sold at Wally World, they were cheap but they ran true and caught fish. Matzuo baits are cheap and they have a few that work but they have a QC problem that can't be covered up. If you want cheap cranks that perform well out of the box look to sales and look to see which ones are going to suit your fishing, for example, you aren't going to want a deep diving Rapala DT-14 if you are fishing from shore. Some cheap brands that really work are Manns, Norman, Storm, Vicious, and Strike King just to name a few.

[tholmes]

You don't have to spend a lot to get good crankbaits. Bomber, Bandit, Norman, Strike King, H2O Xpress (Academy), Rebel, Mann's and several others all make affordable, quality baits. Shop the sales and you can do even better.

 

Tom

[TrippyJai]

Buy used. Check out a few forums that have buy/sell section. Plenty of great deals to be had and you can also make reasonable offers within your budget. Even eBay has plenty of good deals.

[GoDeep]

If u want good cheap cranks, go to Academy. Their H20 baits are awesome for the price.

[Bluebasser86]

If u want good cheap cranks, go to Academy. Their H20 baits are awesome for the price.

Best baits for the money, especially if you can find them on sale. I've found them down to $1 apiece a couple times, usually $3 on sale though and only $4 or $5 at full price. Bandit, Norman's, Bomber, Rebel, Cotton Cordell are other good brands that aren't expensive. 

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Get yourself a couple of Strike King KVD 1.5's or 2.5's and some Strike King Red Eyed Shad's.  They each run about 5 or 6 bucks a piece and can be bought at any WalMart or Dicks Sporting Goods.  I also like Bandit crankbaits but SK 1.5's and RES's are my go-to's.

[Bankbeater]

What eveyone else has said.  Also check Wal-mart.  When the store near me changes its inventory, they sell what they have very cheap.  A couple of years ago I picked up some 1/2 oz. Cordell Super Spots for $1 each.

[PersicoTrotaVA]

2 words, Strike King.  And not just the KVD squarebills.  Look at the different series cranks.  I love Series 1, 1XS, Series 4 and the Series 4S for shallow cranking.  Series 3 and Series 5 for a little deeper water or digging up the bottom.  I don't get deeper diving crankbaits because I fish shallow lakes.

[kikstand454]

Academy h2o.

[Montanaro]

I buy spro. On the moderately expensive side but they are durable and come with good hooks I don't have to replace

[Raul]

I remember two ocassions extremely well, the first one was in October 2001, I was at StLouis, MO, for the world nutrition congress organized by Purina, I went to visit the recently opened BassProShops store at StCharles, I arrive there and two bargain bins packed sky high with Rapalas at 2 dollars a piece was expecting me, needless to say I had to purchase a few. The next ocassion I went to Dallas' Grapevine Mills BassProShop this was Jun 2002 this time the bins weren't expecting me, I found them, just the same, Rapalas at 2 dollars a piece. Aside from purchasing inexpensive tried and true there's also clearance sales like the ones I found.