Best Shallow Running Crankbait

[JCrzy4Bass]

Hey guys, not a huge fan of crankbaits, but I do like shallow water cranks or topwater. Some of my favorite are the original rapala floating lures (although I can't cast them very far (with light line)). I like the action these lures have and the variety of retrieves I can use as far as twitching, shallow slow runs, and quick runs to get a few inches under the surface. I'm looking for some other lures like these by other common companies I may see in boaters world, walmart or sports authority. This way I have a couple of different kinds on hand that have different actions for situations where they may not be biting one due to the action or the unrealistic look of the lure I'm currently using.

Any suggestions about what to try out? I usually just run these around rocky shorelines or shorelines that have stumps and logs in the water. Mostly run them during period of time when water is clear or slightly stained. I like pearl, minnow, firetiger, and white colors.

[CJ]

Not to get too technical but a Rapala floater isn't really a crankbait.Some would call it a jerkbait.

As for your question,I like a bagley's Bang-O-Lure.And for shallow crankbaits I like a Bandit 100 or a Lucky Craft RC 2.5.Crankin' these down and running them hard into the stumps can draw very aggressive strikes.

[JCrzy4Bass]

Yea... I def didn't know that CJ.  As far as technical knowledge goes and all I'm not to that point yet.  If guys on here are gonna get on me about it though I'll pay more attention next time? lol.  Not trying to be a pain just I had no clue it was a jerk bait honestly.  I run it like a jerk bait at first for a couple twitches, then run it shallow very slowly or really fast depending on water conditions.  Thanks for the info on those two lures though, a lot of people I know like the bandits, including my father so I may look into them.  Lucky Craft is out of my price range until I get better at running lures and such.  Still a newb at crankbaits really.  Only ones I have run are Rapala Shad Raps, Rat-L-Traps and sometimes Countdown Minnows.

I'll probably pick up a Bandit or two before I head up tommorrow.  Those are mostly good for warmer water conditions right?  Because the wide wobble?  That works fine here cause most of our water temps are in the 80s.

[koko36265]

Try the Mann's Baby -1.... They run 12" or shallower and have great action.... I tear them up in March and April with these things... You can purchase them at Wal-Mart or any local tackle shop should have them....

http://www.***.com/descpageMANNCRANK-MB1.html

[JCrzy4Bass]

I have a Mann's -1 Elite series shallow runner but I haven't used it much, and when I have I don't think it's been in the right situations.  I'm gonna continue to throw this bait and try and get used to it.  Where do you find you have most of your success with this bait?  I like the action on it and the wake it creates, I just haven't generated many strikes on it, actually closer to none at all haha.  Gotta stick with it though til' I understand it.  That's how I am about all my lures at least until I know exactly how it works and what situations to use it in.  I hear its a quality bait so... keep chuckin'!

[roadwarrior]

I like Bomber Square A, Mann's 1- and Norman Fat boy. Although not quite as shallow, the Classic was won a few tears ago by Tak fishing a Bagley BII. The LC Rick Clunn series looks GREAT to me and I own a few, but I haven't fished them.

My PB was caught on a Norman Fat Boy, bluegill pattern.

[FishTank]

Lucky Craft Moonsault CB-50 in Ghost Minnow.

[New 2 Bass]

A baby n in a white color has worked for me occasionally.  Thats not saying much since I've caught only about a dozen on the cranks.  Rat l trap in chartruse works sometimes too.

[3125gauge]

I fish the Strike King series 1 crankbait for my shallow cranking about 80% of the time that I am crankin.  In clear water I like the rootbeer and in stained water I like white with a black back or firetiger.  

[TrickyVT1887]

Mann's Baby 1- minus the original haven't used the elite series but i don't really like the finishes on them, tear them up on the real thing though. Anything deeper than 1' go with a Bandit

[TrickyVT1887]

Mann's Baby 1- minus the original haven't used the elite series but i don't really like the finishes on them, tear them up on the real thing though. Anything deeper than 1' go with a Bandit

[Jimzee]

Since you are like the Rapala brand try the Dt Flat series. They dive to three feet and have a coffin lip for bouncing off stumps. They cost around $6.99, are pretty hard to hang up, not to mention they have great paint jobs that are durable. I use one quite a bit.

[Straiten_Hooks]

RedFins are awesome for what your talking about they fit the profile and the action. I don't know if its one word or two, but I do know I have only found them at Wal-Mart. Their are long,  jointed and look like a jerk bait. You will find them in a dump bin usually.

[Rebbasser]

Another vote for the Bandit 100 Series.  I LOVE throwing those in flooded timber.

[cbfishalot]

The bandits are the way to go on a budget. If you come across some extra cash the RC 1.5, GDSs, and Skeet Mini's have all been great for me this year.

[Stringjam]

Rapala Shallow Shad Rap

If you're catching fish on a little silent jerkbait, and not catching them on a wide wobbling shallow crank, than it would seem that you're fishing an area where fish may be pressured or in clear water, and prefer a more natural, subtle lure.   I've generally done better with those fat, hard kicking lures in stained to dingy water (there are exceptions, of course).    

A Bagley Killer B II is as close to a Lucky Craft RC 1.5 as you can get without spending $15 (they are $10).      

[Chris]

I tend to throw a bunch of wood cranks around cover. I feel that I get the best action and response out of a crankbait if it is made out of wood. The bait tends to react to cover better when it is made out of wood and tends to get un-hung more so than plastic. It floats off cover better in my opinion. I spent a lot of time on the water helping to create a lure that that I feel fits the bill when it comes to fishing around heavy cover. If your just looking for a Wally special then Norman fatboy, Bandit, 1- Manns, Bomber, Rebel, all make crankbaits that you can get at Walmart that will catch fish. But if your wanting something a little more refined I like the CS 4x4 by JM-Woodcraft.  

[jdw174]

Bandit - Series 100, Footloose

Bill Norman - Mad N

[twors]

Bomber Square A's and Norman Fatboys  

[Avalonjohn44]

Bandit 100 (2-4 foot diver) or Bandit footloose (0-1 foot diver).  Both are amazing producers for their cost.  I still catch more fish on a bandit than I do on a similar LC bait.

Another great topwater is just about any Bagley with a square lip.  They are more expensive though.

I hate the Mann's Minus series baits, they break on me very easily.  I have not had a single one hold up to even light casts against a dock or rip-rap.  Plus they look and feel cheap.  Mann's does have a new 'premium series' baby minus bait to compete with the more expensive lures, but I haven't tried them yet, and probably won't based on my experience with the other ones.

I also do not like Bomber lures that much.  Bandits in the same or similar colors outfish them every time.  I lost a green and white bandit that was producing all along the shoreline on an underwater snag.  I put a nearly identical Bomber green and white bait on and caught nothing.  I still have some bombers, but they kind of just sit in my box and do nothing.

[grimlin]

daiwa peanut...they have an awesome wobble.They are right up there with LC's action and alot cheaper than the LC as well.

[senile1]

I tend to throw a bunch of wood cranks around cover. I feel that I get the best action and response out of a crankbait if it is made out of wood. The bait tends to react to cover better when it is made out of wood and tends to get un-hung more so than plastic. It floats off cover better in my opinion. I spent a lot of time on the water helping to create a lure that that I feel fits the bill when it comes to fishing around heavy cover. If your just looking for a Wally special then Norman fatboy, Bandit, 1- Manns, Bomber, Rebel, all make crankbaits that you can get at Walmart that will catch fish. But if your wanting something a little more refined I like the CS 4x4 by JM-Woodcraft.  

Good to see you on the forum, Chris.  It's been awhile.  

[Bankbeater]

I throw minus 1's and Storm Sub-warts.  The sub-warts won't run quite as deep as a minus 1.

[zbigbadaaron]

dives-to

[senko_77]

I agree with Chris.  The 4x4 crankbait made by Whittler here on the forums is absolutely awesome at combing shallow water.  I CANNOT get it hung up in even the gnarliest shallow cover.  I've got some real good un's ever since I've been throwing that bait.  

The other thing about Whittler's baits are the custom paintjobs.  I had a tournament last March where I knew I would need a shallow running crankbait.  I found a color I liked for the lake and Whittler had it to my door before tourny day.