shallow crankbaits

[one more bite]

When say shallow i am talking about depths from about 6' or less. I would really like to buy some that are realistic. I want some that resemble that of shad, perch, bluegill, etc. The lakes that i fish are in eastern kentucky, tennessee, and sometimes southern indiana. Any tips about shallow crankbaits in these particular areas would be appreciated, but i'll take any tips i can get. I was thinking about maybe buying some lucky crafts, but haven't really looked into them. I really like some of the colors on their pointers, but saw nothing special in their shallow crankbaits compared to other brands. What kinds do you guys like?

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

These are a few that I HIGHLY recommend:

Norman Fat Boy

Bomber Square A

Mann's 1-Minus

Bagley BII (Lucky Craft makes a comp: Rick Clunn 2.5 & 3.5 which I have a few of, but haven't fished)

Lucky Craft Pointers are jerkbaits and they are topnotch (each size is a different lure) . The other jerkbaits I fish are Rapala Husky Jerks, Rapala X-Raps and Smithwick Rogues.

[Deuceu72]

I usually stick with 2 kinds of shallow cranks...........I like Strike kings 1X series............and I also like Bandit shallow cranks as well.............Oh, I forgot.Mann's baby 1 minus.....Those Manns are great for cranking over the top of submerged weedbeds!

[MALTESE FALCON]

THE SHALLOW LURES THAT WORK FOR ME ARE:

                                               

1-BOMBER SQUARE A

2-RAPALA SHALLOW SHAD RAP

3-COTTON CORDELL BIG O

4-MANN'S BABY 1-MINUS

                                   

FOR JERKBAITS I USE:  

1-RAPALA X-RAPS

2-RAPALA HUSKY JERKS

3-STORM THUNDERSTICK JR.

4-BOMBER LONG A          

[GAMEOVER]

Crankbaits get..  

Rapala DT-4s (dont forget the Sure Set hooks the DTs from Fritts will produce without em but add Sure Sets and their as good as gold)

Manns Baby 1 Minus

Lucky Craft LVR is LC's best cb series imo..

Jerkbaits get..

Rapala X-Raps

Rapala Husky Jerks

Lucky Craft Pointers

[Marty]

Some of the ones I like are:

Baby 1-Minus

Heddon Swim'n Image

Spence Scout

Bomber Flat A

Bomber Fat Free Guppy

Lipless cranks--Traps and Rattling Rapalas

Deep Shad Raps in size 5

Shallow Shad Raps in size 7

[kfx400rob]

the only cranks i use are shallow my favorites are bomber modle a, manns -1, and the shad rap

for jerks the husky jerk is my fav next is x rap

the husky jerk in baby bass has been producing good for me lately

[Triton9]

i like the bandit 100 series.  the lucky crafts are pretty good.

[phisher_d]

Rapala DT 4

Rapala DT 6

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=44348&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Rapala has some pretty realistic finishes for the price...

I want some that resemble that of shad, perch, bluegill, etc.

01 & 06 (shad), 05 (perch), and 56 (bluegill).  

Welcome aboard

[GAMEOVER]

If your new to crankbaits and are set on the Rapala DT as your weapon of choice and are only getting 1 color just get Baby Bass and buy some Sure Set trebles.

[lubina]

For me the Rapala DT-4, Bomber Square A and Bandit 100 are the best lures on that cathegory.

Lipless and jerkbaits are for me a different topic. There LC rules.

I think that Sure Set Treble on the front are a sure set trouble all over.

[Brad_Coovert]

For natural patterns, you will be hard pressed to beat the Lucky Craft patterns.  Thye have some great selections in the BDS, Flat Mini and Flat CB series with depths you are looking for.  They also have several new baits coming out this fall that fall in your depth zone as well.

I fish in Indiana and Kentucky as well and I use the LC baits, but also some Bandit 200, Bomber Square A, Norman Middle N and Thin N, Reaction Innovation Method Cranks and a few others.  Most of those have baits in your depth zone.

Good luck!

Brad

[FatBoy]

I've gotta throw in another vote for the Manns baby 1- .  I love these things.  They have a really, really W-I-D-E wobble.  Their finishes are not so realistic, but I wouldn't get too hung up on that.  With cranks you're usually going for a reaction strike anyway.

[Zebco202]

Another vote for the Baby 1-

I also like:

Storm Wiggle Wort

Bomber Square A

Bandit 100 & 200 series

I just bought my first Lucky Craft Pointers this year.  I have yet to get them wet but I can't wait to try them out!

[Siebert Outdoors]

The manns minus series are my favorites.  Those baits just catch fish.  I also use bandits but still prefer the manns

[RiskKid.]

I like the Bandits 100 or 200 series but I'm going to try some of the Rapala DT series (bait monkey has been after me)

[FIN-S-R]

Very Tight wiggle- Yo-Zuri Vibe (which I hear is now out of production- What are they thinking)

Slightly Looser but still very tight and louder- LVR

Tight wiggle- Bandit

Wobble- Norman Fat boy

Roll- Manns 1-

[GAMEOVER]

For natural patterns, you will be hard pressed to beat the Lucky Craft patterns.

Actually while they make my favorite Flat CBs (LVRs) they're patterns are too flashy to be realistic. I find Rapalas patterns to be the most realistic. Their Bluegill as well a few other patterns are right on the money. Only pattern I can really think of that LC makes that looks more realistic is their Arkansas Shiner which is a personal favorite of mine.

[Guest avid]

Are you getting the feeling that when it comes to crankbaits you can't go wrong with picking anything.  ;D

[GAMEOVER]

You really cant go wrong with a crankbait. Ive seen very few unuseable (to me) crankbaits out there. More so than any other bait it is your confidence in a crankbait that will catch you fish.. and patience.

[RoLo]

Are you getting the feeling that when it comes to crankbaits you can't go wrong with picking anything. ;D

Exactly, and I think that applies to most of our angling choices

For example, I'm a little surprised that only 3 members mentioned the "Rapala Shallow Shad Rap" (3 to 8-ft)

Roger

[senile1]

Are you getting the feeling that when it comes to crankbaits you can't go wrong with picking anything.  ;D

Exactly, and I think that applies to most of our angling choices

For example, I'm a little surprised that only 3 members mentioned the "Rapala Shallow Shad Rap" (3 to 8-ft)

Roger

If I had responded to this thread the Rapala Shad Rap Roger mentions would have been one of my choices.  After answering a few of these that are similar I often lay low and let others carry the thread.  I think all of the shad raps are great crankbaits.  

[Brad_Coovert]

For natural patterns, you will be hard pressed to beat the Lucky Craft patterns.

Actually while they make my favorite Flat CBs (LVRs) they're patterns are too flashy to be realistic.

How is zero flash too flashy?  Just look at all of their ghost patterns.  They have realluy excelled in clear water for me.

Brad

[Captain Underpants]

You guys are all clueless. Bass Pro Shops Carolina Fat Cranks! Duh!   It has a finish like lucky craft, can dive 0-5ft, and best of all it costs only, well, see it for your selves. www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=45147&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=5&hvarSubCode=1&hvarTarget=browse

[roadwarrior]

Clueless?

That seems kind of harsh.

I caught my PB (27 1/4") on a Norman Fat Boy (bluegill pattern). That seems like a pretty good lure to me.