What are some good squarebills for around 5-7$

[alzun664]

I don't have any experience with squarebill crankbaits in particular so I'm looking to stock up on them. 5-7$ is my target price range but it consider slightly more expensive options. 

I'd also appreciate responses to these questions:

• When should I throw this type of lure instead of other options? (ex. swim jig, non squarebill crank)
• Plastic or Balsa?
• What makes this lure effective compared to non-squarebill cranks?

I fish from the bank in mostly stained to clear waters no deeper than 15ft.

[Missourifishin]

There are a lot of fans of the Strike King KVD squarebills around here. And I am one of those fans. They are within your price range.

Throw squarebills in shallow water. They are good at deflecting off of rocks and logs, which is a good thing as it often triggers a reaction bite.

I am usually fishing from the bank too. Try throwing them more parallel to the bank rather than out into deeper water. I do well with them, especially in spring and fall. 

[buzzed bait]

^ what he said.  also would suggest a look at the academy h2o xpress baits if you have an academy sports nearby, cheap and good quality baits.

my top square bill is an xcite xb1 with rattles black back/chartreuse that i have no idea where it came from....  just looked at taklewarehouse and they are $7.29

[Turkey sandwich]

KVD, Bomber, Rapala, etc all have square bill options for that price range.  Sometimes you can find Storm Arashi squarebill cranks on sale at Dicks.  

Balsa floats faster than plastic.  I like having both, they provide different looks.  You can argue that plastic stays in the strike zone longer, while balsa forces a faster reaction on the pause.

The flat, square lip is designed to flip it up and over hard cover versus bumping it's way around it.  They're typically much more weedless and a great reaction bait, especially in shallow water. 

[blckshirt98]

Missourifishin said it all in a nutshell.  Get some KVD 1.0-2.5 squarebills, fish them as he described.  I also like to throw squarebills when I see shad/baitfish jumping out of the water...get the shallowest running squarebill you have, cast past the boils and crank through them.

[Fishes in trees]

If you can find any Timber Tigers,  those are the ones that I choose first, and most days those are the only ones that I bother to tie on.  If I can't get bit on a Timber Tiger, it is unlikely that any other square bill is going to work that day..   Anyway, that is how I generally feel about it.   

Get the DC8 and then if you have more money get some DC5's and DC4's.    EVery fishing tackle store I stop at, I look and see if they have any Timber Tigers and if they have some I buy them.    They are available from Wordens, but they are kinda of pricey there.

[Catt]

Bill Norman

[smalljaw67]

If you buy online you can go to TW and they will have the Yo-Zuri 3DB on sale but only until the 8th so that is 2 more days. They run $8.99 but the sale price is $4.99, there is no better at that price. Another that is inexpensive and very effective for less than $4.00 is the Bomber Square "A", the 3/8oz size is a small compact bait that will get bites when the fish don't want larger baits. Evolve Soul 5 Muscle Squared 65 at $7.00 is another great bait. As far as balsa baits go, wait until you see a sale and grab a Bagley balsa B2 or Kill'R B2, those are really good but I also like the Rapala DT Fat 3 but that is a big body bait and works great at times.

[Lendiesel22]

I catch a bunch on the kvd 1.5

[roadwarrior]

Norman Fat Boy

 

[ww2farmer]

Hard to beat the SK KVD in that price range. I have a box full of them.

[Lendiesel22]

Sure is. Good colors, tweak the eye and they hunt, and decent hooks. 

[Paul Roberts]

Essentially "squarebills" are CBs designed to fish through shallow cover without hanging so easily. The easiest to hang are slim minnow-type baits (Rapala originals, Rebel, etc...). Fat plugs appeared and due to body width could come through cover better. Then came the wide square bill that deflects cover pieces from the hook and can even roll the bait over.

All companies make good ones. Just pick one or more and try them. They all catch fish.

As mentioned balsa tends to be most buoyant which rises quickly when you stop the retrieve. This adds to the snag-proofness, or at least speed at which you can get out of trouble -by floating up above the offending cover piece before continuing your retrieve. Sometimes fish will strike the bait floating up, and how fast it floats up can matter. Some believe (I, for instance) that the buoyancy of balsa creates a better pressure wake in the water that bass can feel and home in on. That buoyancy can also produce stronger wobbling action in the bait.

That said, I do really well on plastic too, and well designed plastic plugs have good action and catch fish. Again, all companies make good serviceable CBs. One's I've done well on and will fish with confidence are: Cordell (I still love the Big O), Norman, Strike King, Rapala, Manns, Bomber (A and Fat Free), Luhr Jensen (the Speed Trap is a GoTo), and even some cheaper plugs made by Cabela's and BPS have fared well. Granted all are not full "squarebills" but most fat plugs will fish fish through cover well -weeds in particular. You have to be more careful around wood, especially brushy wood and a wide bill helps there, as does appropriate technique and... a good plug-knocker.

When are they applied vs other good cover lures? You may not know until you try. If you know you've got fish and they won't take your CB, try a swim jig, or SB, or soft plastic, ... . I suppose CBs shine when fish are active, but ripping off of cover can excite bass into striking that weren't interested otherwise. Some days, that's the only way they'll take a CB.

Hope this answers your questions.

[Jaderose]

I've had good luck with the BPS but not over and above anything listed above.  I'm not a big fan of the KVD's though.  I have some and throw them but not  in love with their action and they get out of tune too much for my taste.  

[Sandhillcrab]

Strike king make very good square bills. If they brake send them back and they will send you a new one. I use them a lot and love them. I recommend them.

 

[fisherrw]

Strike king 1.5 and 2.5s are still my go to squarebills.

[spartyon8]

SK 1.5s are what I use the most. I have started throwing the Rick Clunn squarebills and like them too. Both can be found at WalMart and pretty reasonable in price too.

[fishballer06]

The new lucky craft $7 squarebills are the best deal in your price range. Aside from those,  some of my favorites are:

Bagley b2

Storm Arashi 

Mann's 1-

Strike king KVD 1.5 & 2.5

Edit - Forgot the Rapala Fats and Spro little Johns 

[thebillsman]

I have three go to squarebills. I now have about 20 KVDs that are mostly 1.5s, XCS100s which have a great wobble, and the Spro Little John (if you consider that a squarebill) that have an awesome slow float.

I would jump on eBay and just buy a big lot of KVDs in the color that best suits you.

[ABW]

The Academy one's are cheaper... and I found them more durable than the KVD's

[bigbill]

Bomber shallow A I like besides bomber square bills. 

[edfitzvb]

In order: (cheap baits that catch fish)

SK 1.5

Bomber Square A

Bandit

[Noah Ravas]

Strike King KVDs and Bomber Square A's 

[Missourifishin]

9 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

The new lucky craft $7 squarebills are the best deal in your price range. 

I wasn't even aware of those. You may have just sicked the baitmonkey on me.