Wakebait / Shallow Crankbait : Which Colors ?

[ChrisD46]

Looking to purchase some wakebait / shallow crankbaits such as BPS The Egg , Mann's minus - 1 , Bomber Shallow A , etc. and unsure of colors to get . I fish in southern reservoirs where water color can generally range from stained to clear (depending on time of year , water run off , etc. ) ... I'm looking to get three to four colors to start and need help picking out what colors work best on LMB and spotted bass for conditions I listed ? I'm thinking that mostly a bass is going to see the bottom and sides mostly of a wakebait / shallow crankbait - below are colors for consideration :

 

* Firetiger

* Blue Back Chartreuse

* Chrome Black Back

* Chartreuse Black Back

* Sexy Shad

* Citrus Shad

* Green Shad

* Red Craw

 

Lastly , I know red craw is great for spring time (not sure about other times of the year ) ... Thanks in advance for colors you feel are best for wakebait / shallow crankbait !

[tcbass]

I have used fire tiger and caught fish.

[Catch and Grease]

Chartreuse black back is a must have!

[FlipSide]

Chartreuse black back is a must have!

My favorite color of shallow crank

[ChrisD46]

Firetiger and Chartreuse Black Back would be on my short list for stained water / overcast conditions ...Now need other options for clearer water / sunny conditions .

[BasshunterJGH]

Chartreuse black back is a must have!

This and sexy shad.

[tcbass]

Firetiger and Chartreuse Black Back would be on my short list for stained water / overcast conditions ...Now need other options for clearer water / sunny conditions .

What would toi use for clear and sunny?

Wasega?

[tnbassfisher]

I like shad colored cranks for wakebaits.

[PersicoTrotaVA]

I'd get them all but I'll stick to 5:

 

Firetiger

Chartreuse Black Back

Sexy Shad

Green Shad

Red Craw

 

Others I like are Chartruese Sexy Shad, Green Gizzard Shad and Tennesee Shad.  Also the Rootbeer colored ones.  I used one of those today and it had a really nice flash in the water.

[smalljaw67]

Chartreuse black back is great for stained water, chartreuse blue back is a good stained water bait also but it is one of the few bright color combos I use in clear water as well. The other one I would have is chrome black back, it is proven and just works well but I know sexy shad also works so it really depends on what you prefer in your waters.

[ChrisD46]

Chartreuse black back is great for stained water, chartreuse blue back is a good stained water bait also but it is one of the few bright color combos I use in clear water as well. The other one I would have is chrome black back, it is proven and just works well but I know sexy shad also works so it really depends on what you prefer in your waters.

Thanks all for the replies - especially why you prefer a certain color of shallow crank and what conditions dictate your color choice ?

[flipin4bass]

LC BDS 2 & 3 in Chartreuse/Black Back and American Shad are a couple of my favorites.

[flipin4bass]

LC BDS 2 in Chartreuse/Black.

[ChrisD46]

flipin4bass : Thanks for sharing ... Both colors are nice - now appearing the chartreuse / black back is a staple ...The american shad appears to be a wonderful , intricate color which probably changes with the light .

[smalljaw67]

flipin4bass : Thanks for sharing ... Both colors are nice - now appearing the chartreuse / black back is a staple ...The american shad appears to be a wonderful , intricate color which probably changes with the light .

 

That color is similar to Aurora black, these do the same thing as chrome blue or chrome black, and that is provide flash. What the American shad and Aurora black do is they combine a natural look of a detailed paint job with the flash of a chrome finish making it excellent for all water clarities, very deadly when you have sun and stained water.

[Crankinstein]

Check out the IMA roumba its an awesome wake bait and they've got all the classic colors. I'd recommend the same ones mentioned above, sexy shad, fire tiger, black/chartreuse. Rattling and non rattling are both proven fish catchers.

[tcbass]

Check out the IMA roumba its an awesome wake bait and they've got all the classic colors. I'd recommend the same ones mentioned above, sexy shad, fire tiger, black/chartreuse. Rattling and non rattling are both proven fish catchers.

What color for clear water?

[ChrisD46]

Check out the IMA roumba its an awesome wake bait and they've got all the classic colors. I'd recommend the same ones mentioned above, sexy shad, fire tiger, black/chartreuse. Rattling and non rattling are both proven fish catchers.

I've heard good things about the IMA Roumba - but is sure is a dumpy looking bait ! ... My beginners list is fairly modest with Bomber Shallow A , Mann's Minus -1's and a couple of BPS XPC offerings (Super Shallow Crank & The Egg - Large) to try out ... Trying to grab a few colors of each to handle prevailing conditions and try my hand at this technique . I like the fact that fishing a shallow wake crankbait does not require more than just a slow , steady retrieve or the same with an occasional pause in order to yield very good results .

[Crankinstein]

What color for clear water?

 

I would say either clear, baby bass, or one of the shad schemes and probably the non rattling version for clear water.

[Catch and Grease]

What color for clear water?

Chartreuse black back works great in clear water too!

[Crankinstein]

I've heard good things about the IMA Roumba - but is sure is a dumpy looking bait ! ... My beginners list is fairly modest with Bomber Shallow A , Mann's Minus -1's and a couple of BPS XPC offerings (Super Shallow Crank & The Egg - Large) to try out ... Trying to grab a few colors of each to handle prevailing conditions and try my hand at this technique . I like the fact that fishing a shallow wake crankbait does not require more than just a slow , steady retrieve or the same with an occasional pause in order to yield very good results .

 

haha yea its definitely a strange looking bait, it took me a long time to actually buy one myself because I was skeptical about the shape and its little pricey. I think that strange shape helps give it that aggressive wobble that traditional cranks don't have. The Roumba has a wobble plus a roll action that exposes the entire side of the bait to any fish looking up at it plus any twitch of the rod or change in reel speed(slow to fast) can cause the bait to pop the surface almost like a popper would. I think the bait shares a lot of qualities of traditional topwater baits in a crankbait package, a unique bait for sure and one any serious wake bait or shallow crank fisherman should have. I agree with you on the bomber and the manns minus 1 for anyone getting into wake baits because their so much more affordable but I highly recommend the Roumba for anyone really getting into it. Its just a really fun bait to fish and its gets hammered consistently.

[Vancestilley]

LC BDS 2 & 3 in Chartreuse/Black Back and American Shad are a couple of my favorites.

this is gorgeous...

[ChrisD46]

Thanks for the Ima Roumba write up Crankinstein - I have heard too many good things about this bait not to consider one for the future .

Alas , a wide wobble ,shallow crank bait only has through the Fall (water temp above 60 degrees F.) before bass wil turn off from such a wide wobble , noisy bait in favor of a tighter wiggle, lipless crankbait without the need for rattles inside .

[Jay Ell Gee]

Since you mentioned the BPS "Egg" I would HIGHLY recommend grabbing their "Offshore Angler" saltwater wake baits. They move a ton of water and have a large knocker inside. Absolutely love them in both fresh and salt water.

[Fishes in trees]

If you want a full set, you have got to get 3 of each brand you mentioned in each of the colors you mentioned.  If you want to go cheaper, I'd go with something bait fish colored, whatever is more or less closest to the primary bait fish in your neighborhood.