BUYER'S GUIDE: CRANKBAIT FISHING ( Squarebill, Deep Diver, Lipless, Rods )

Today's Buyer's Guide is all about crankbaits! We're taking this giant lure category and breaking it down into segments that are easy to understand. From cold water speed cranking baits, to wide wobbling Summer baits, we’re showing you our favorite crankbaits for every season, at all the major depth ranges!
Crankbait fishing is a giant category, as witnessed by several of our recent seminar-style videos on the subject (linked below). You can stand in front of the crankbait wall at your local tackle shop and your head will spin as you try to figure out what to use. Or, you can simply watch this video and let us show you exactly how we’ve narrowed it down over the years. We’re eliminating all the guess work and showing you our favorite baits from each major category.
Below you'll find links to the exacts baits and gear discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes and colors for each, as well as the exact rods we throw them on. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDES...
•Casting Reel Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: BEST CA...
•Spinning Reel Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: BEST SP...
•Soft Swimbait Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: BEST SO...
•Hard Swimbait Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: BEST HA...
•Tackle Storage Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: TACKLE ...
•Bait Finesse Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: BFS (Ba...
•Jerkbait Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: JERKBAI...
CRANKBAIT SEMINAR VIDEOS...
•Speed Cranking Tricks For Fall And Winter Bass: • Speed Cranking Tricks ...
•Everything You Need To Know About Squarebills: • Everything You Need To...
•Lipless Crankbait Tricks You Need To Try: • Lipless Crankbait Tric...
SQUAREBILL CRANKBAITS...
•Bill Lewis ATV 1.5: bit.ly/41o3ctj
Colors: Red Glitter Craw, Tennessee Shad
•Rapala OG Rocco: bit.ly/3PHvNCI
Colors: Bruised Citrus Shad, Red Crawdad
FLAT SIDED CRANKBAITS...
•Spro Little John: bit.ly/2dDfuqt
Colors: Blood Craw, Chrome Olive, Matte Shad
•Shimano Macbeth Flat: bit.ly/3QNYS1g
Colors: Clear Green Craw, Sleeper Shad
SHALLOW CRANKBAITS...
•Damiki BTC 50: bit.ly/3OVb3Lc
Colors: Real Shad, Mossy Shad
•Shimano Macbeth Shallow: bit.ly/48m3ch1
Colors: Ghost Shad, Sleeper Shad
LIPLESS CRANKBAITS...
•Lucky Craft LV 500: bit.ly/2aAUUbd
Colors: American Shad, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow
•Jackall TN Lipless: bit.ly/2lqAwjh
Sizes: 60 and 70
Colors: Ghost Minnow, RT Scale Minnow, SG Threadfin
•Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap: bit.ly/2gm8CjC
Colors: Cali Craw, Ghost Minnow, Sexy Chrome
SPEED CRANKBAITS...
•R2S Tactical DD 75: bit.ly/37dclbX
Colors: True Shad, Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow
•Megabass Deep Six: bit.ly/2A3clKP
Colors: Ito Wakasagi, MB Gizzard, Tora Zari
MID DIVING CRANKBAITS...
•Rapala DT 8: bit.ly/40JmoBQ
Colors: Green Gizzard Shad, Live River Shad, Delta
•Spro Rock Crawler 55: bit.ly/2NFPA5t
Colors: Red Crawfish, Phantom Green
DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS...
•Nomad D-Trak 80: bit.ly/3MRvMxz
Colors: Natural Threadfin, Brown Craw
•Rapala DT 16: bit.ly/42ITxNr
Colors: Green Gizzard Shad, Rootbeer Crawdad
BIG DEEP DIVERS...
•Azuma Z Boss 22: bit.ly/3J05uHl
Colors: Grand Shad, Hot Mess, Goldie Lox
•Azuma Z Boss 24: bit.ly/3oKifPk
Colors: Grand Shad, Hot Mess, Goldie Lox
•Strike King 10XD: bit.ly/2gHT4F0
Colors: Powder Blue Back Chart, Sexy Blue Back Herring
FAVORITE SPEED CRANKING COMBO...
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: bit.ly/2og0BmK
Reel- Shimano Curado 150 MGL (XG): bit.ly/2TQHwrP
Line- Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): bit.ly/3fohguC
FAVORITE FLAT SIDE COMBO...
Rod- Megabass Levante Flat Side Special: bit.ly/2FdE3YY
Reel- 13 Fishing Concept C2 (7:1): bit.ly/2NlzZhg
Line- Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): bit.ly/3fohguC
LIPLESS CRANKBAIT COMBO...
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: bit.ly/2og0BmK
Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): bit.ly/2apmDJt
Line- Sufix 131 (40 lb): bit.ly/314VoyF
Leader- Sunline Saltimate System Shock (16 lb): bit.ly/3oT1oq2
TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)
We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
________________________________________________________________
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#buyersguide #bassfishing #crankbait

[@MrMadhouse70]

I think youtube never gonna have a better fishing chanell than TacticalBassin. So humble and enthusiastic. And they talk about every bait from diffrent brand. That makes them more credible.

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

Once again you both nailed it,thank you Matt and Tim ❤👏👏

[@brandonsmith606]

Crack open those wallets boys

[@tacticalbassin]

😂😂😂

[@timisoutdoors]

Bruh. 😂

[@SocalBass619]

Tis the season? 😂

[@idontstunt2613]

I don’t got nothing left

[@idontstunt2613]

Haven’t even made it to rods yet

[@jvfishingfever]

Another great video guys! One of my favorites!

[@midwestfischerman]

This is always my favorite lure Buyer's Guide. Thanks Matt and Tim, Happy Holidays!!!🎄🎅🦌

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks man! Merry Christmas!!

[@thadgeorge4984]

Thanks guys. Happy holidays to you and your families.

[@bluegrassbodybuildingfitne406]

Why did tackle warehouse include megabass in the sale and then take them off the sale? I had a bunch of baits in my cart and came back to it the next day and they weren’t on sale anymore?

[@VinceNiergarth]

Thanks guys!

[@marclafontaine5615]

Awesome guys, thank you.

[@caseysaunders2137]

I realize Tactical Bassin can't cover them all but OSP has some great low mid and deep divers. For deep OSP has the Blitz Magnum EX DR which is a small body ~25 Ft diver. Ironically as well some people fish it in 10 foot depths off the bank to get down to the bottom super fast and bang off the flat bottom or rock. Considering the availability of all the OSP baits on TW in general, there's no question they are catching a lot of fish. None are low budget but quality baits.

[@timisoutdoors]

I’m totally thinking about getting a few of these. Great call out!

[@jimb7304]

I think you mean the Blitz Max DR. The Magnum is about the same size as a 10XD and TW doesn’t sell the magnum

[@caseysaunders2137]

@@jimb7304 Just checked and you're right. TW doesn't have the Magnum. No idea why. It's availalbe from The HookUp Tackle online store if interested.

[@ILLUMINATHAN79]

I’m surprised you guys haven’t done a video on the OSP Blitz crankbaits. That Blitz line has been some of the best crankbaits for me the last few years.

[@Mjones8383]

Nothing beats a Zoom crankbait, or a early Rapala, and the Pre-rap warts. The old killer Bs, and minus 1s were great too

[@tacticalbassin]

I'm not sure "nothing beats"... but those are legendary baits for sure!!! We're collectors as well 👍🏼

[@blind_eye_fishing]

It's hard to beat a Manns minus 1 or baby minus 1 for super shallow cranking. They are still available too so have no idea why they only mentioned higher end cranks lol nvm they like to blow money 😂.

[@steves7345]

I love how you say you don't need all these baits, but every one watching is thinking yes we do !! Tackle junkies.

[@fishing630addictionjcmg4]

Is Friday end is cracking time thankz tim end matt for the great info like always

[@af4od02]

Last week I was at a big local independent tackle shop. The store had close outs on lots of really nice crankbaits. I spent a ton of money on many great cranks. I asked the manager why the sell off on cranks. The store manager said no one is buying cranks. Everyone is buying FFS minnows and little swimbaits. The manager said he needed to cull down the cranks in order to make more self space for FFS lures.

[@toddpossum]

Thanks!

[@yaboijardo2319]

In my experience fishing mostly clear small rivers and big creeks rapalas have worked the best for me by far, shad rap 04 and 05, and jointed sr same sizes, countdowns and whopper ploppers have been Mvps for years.

[@shootincoyotes]

My wife stole my silver Shad Rap and won't give it up. Throws it all the time and it almost always catches fish. She caught a 6lb'er last week.

[@The_Bass_Stunters]

I’m a MASSIVE fan of the Megabass Sonic Side but the Spro Little John MR is astonishing! Cast amazing and absolutely will smash em!

[@cnut86]

Love waking up to watching a tacticalbassin video! For those staying within their budget, can you guys suggest a cranking rod for a reasonable price point? Thanks guys. Happy holidays!

[@tacticalbassin]

Sure, are you after an all around rod or something for a specific bait or style of baits?

[@brandonrussVOLS-FAN-4-LIFE]

My favorite bait°°°

[@surfn122]

Love these videos. I have always been afraid to throw cranks because I had mostly fished from the banks but I just got a boat and am excited to try speed cranking. Does it work well in stained or muddy water? We have been getting a decent amount of rain up in Oregon and the reservoirs are a bit muddy. Thanks guys!

[@timisoutdoors]

Watching this one at the airport after a long work week. Great to catch an episode on the way home. Thanks guys!

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome! Safe travels!

[@errollhash4725]

Mann’s bait comp was doing the self tuning line tie on the discontinued M 79 crank bait.

[@seanshanahan8844]

Is the flatside special a composite rod, I'm thinking about a new square bill rod . As always thanks guys for your time and knowledge.

[@The_Bass_Stunters]

Honorable mention is the OSP HPF Spec 2 it’s silent but damn it’s also magic! Kinda hard to cast so you may need to break out the spinning setup in windy conditions.

[@bruuuce78]

How about a Ghost Perch pattern in the Tactical DD for us Michiganders? 😉

[@fishingthe262]

What rod are you recommending for deeper cranking, DT20, 8XD, 10Xd type stuff?

[@bassinbalderas24]

What rod and reel would you recommend for an all around crankbait setup? I'm looking for a good combo to kind of do it all mainly besides the deep deep stuff. Gear ratio would be appreciated too!

[@jimb7304]

What rod would you throw the magnum cranks on - 8-10XDS, G87s etc?

[@johnhodson3200]

I was given a 7'5 med/hvy SLX and a 7'5 hvy SLX. I'm sure I can crank on them but not sure what I should throw. As in medium divers, deep, or just square bills. I need help.

[@granttoutant1935]

What are your guys thoughts on the Strike King Hybrid Hunter I’ve Had great success with it just want to know your thoughts.

[@craignewsome9955]

Are you guys going to do a buyers guide for rain gear or fishing apparel?

[@tjlastname5192]

What action/power should we go with on that square bill rod? I assume medium moderate. Also any suggestions on a little more budget options? I have my eye on a St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass Crankbait Casting Rods medium moderate 7.2.

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes on the medium mod and that Mojo Glass is legit! We've used that model for a few years now as a great budget option.

[@tjlastname5192]

@@tacticalbassin Great to hear. I’ll just pick up the Mono Bass when Tackle Warehouse does their rod sale. Unless the other rod has a really good sale price. Thanks for the info.

[@blind_eye_fishing]

I throw all my lighter squarebills on a mh moderate rod paired with a shimano slx mgl 70. Way better than any medium moderate with a 100 to 150 size reel I've ever used. Love my setup. I use a mh moderate fast with a 100 size reel for larger squarebills and medium divers. I actually throw all my lighter cranks on that shimano mgl 70. That reel size and mgl spool makes a big difference in being able to cast those lures. Deep divers I use a Xtra heavy moderate action with a shimano curado lol but those are heavy cranks and put a lot of drag in the rod.

[@polychris5961]

When you guys say “blow out” in reference to how a certain crank will act in the water, what exactly does that mean?

[@douglasspickler4925]

Storage of crankbaits. I have been fishing for 65 years and I have changed my method of storage many times. Do you store them by manufacturer, depth or something else?

[@jamesbourlard7892]

Rapala shadow rap,shad raps.the shallow shad rap used as you would a jerk bait.the OG and DT s.I love they have a bait for my style of fishing

[@anthonyparrish5747]

What length leader do you use with braid to fluorocarbon and what knot do you connect it with?

[@tacticalbassin]

Typically 7-10 feet of leader, connected with a blood knot.

[@randyg99]

Great video. What gear ratio are you using on the Gloomis 906?

[@tacticalbassin]

7:1 is our main speed

[@nickterpselas1651]

Hey, One thing I noticed about the crankbait video, you guys didn’t go into hooks and I know a lot of guys get a little finicky on the hooks for the cranks….

[@adrianalvarado7407]

First thing is swap out hooks to your liking. No one likes to loose a hawg and notice there hooks were bent straight out😒

[@tomjudson258]

Please mention the power of the rods. When you click the link it takes to to the general selection of the rod. No specifics.

[@tacticalbassin]

The description before the link should have the details you need, but if not, let us know which one you need more info on.

[@caseysaunders2137]

Yeah, and aside from that, TW has changed their web page format for rods. I hate the new format. No longer do you see the rod model number in the table before they updated the website. Now you have to choose the length then press "view specs". Then it shows you the information that should be in the table in the first place. It makes it like a game of whackamo even when you know exactly which rod you are after. For example on the Megabass Destroyer series, the table doesn't even list the rod names (such as Pop-X Stick, Ronin, Blade, etc).

[@geralds5834]

How about the Damicki BTC50 for shallow.

[@jymoua49]

Have you guys try the expired 7’2m casting rod? Any thoughts on that?

[@jymoua49]

Expride 7’2m

[@lpbass8369]

7 2 ml is a bad stick

[@jymoua49]

@@lpbass8369 thanks. 7’2m is a new

[@Jschuhfishing]

I love the action of Strike King crank baits, I use several 5xd and 6xd, am I the only one who struggles to cast them without helicoptering? I can’t find any remedy.. does anyone have some advice? I don’t want to stop throwing them but it’s so aggravating.

[@tacticalbassin]

That's super frustrating! Sometimes bombing your casts will get them to fly straight but it's not a perfect fix.

[@thesonorandesertangler]

At this point I only get the Bill Lewis ATV 😂 I use a Dobyns Kaden 610-4CB rod paired with a Shimano Metanium spooled with 10lb flouro.

[@idontstunt2613]

Best jerkbait rod other than a expride

[@thesonorandesertangler]

@@idontstunt2613 It seriously has me looking at other Dobyns rods. I wasn't expecting much since it was $180, but it just flat out works. I've only lost fish that break me off around structure since I'm throwing 10lb flouro. Plus, for reaction bites you don't "need" a pricey rod. I think a really nice spinning rod and a really nice jig rod is a good place to drop money on.

[@adams9604]

Of course another excellent lecture, but inserts of each item would have been nice so we could see the stuff up close.

[@johncoopes1056]

You guys have a model number for that flat side special rod? I dont see the flat side special listed thanks

[@cgyotoku]

I thought the same, but if you select the 7', Med/Moderate and then select View Specifications, you will see that it is the Flat Side Special. They make you jump through hoops to find the model name.

[@johncoopes1056]

@@cgyotoku appreciate the help !!! Thanks !!!

[@Diegolasca.84]

Yep yep 😊👍 i really agree 💯 sale 😃 sales . Smile 😁 Dont worry bros we got u. Dinero 💵 feria, payola, Mula , Malarkey.

[@af4od02]

I wished there were video closeups of the baits. The camera is 3 -4 foot away. These are excellent lures.

[@tacticalbassin]

We know, unfortunately that's not in the cards when we're releasing new videos every day. However, those Tackle Warehouse links in the description will take you directly to full size images.

[@CommonSenseFishing209]

What?!! No River2sea biggie poppas?!! This ain't no crankbait video without those!!!

[@tacticalbassin]

Ha! It's hard to narrow it down! There are some amazing new baits coming to market. Did you happen to catch the in-depth squarebill video we did earlier this Fall?

[@CommonSenseFishing209]

@tacticalbassin yeah. Just giving you 2 some fun. I love your channel. Very informative and helpful. I just love the biggie poppa squarebill and deep diver. So many double digits on both those river2sea cranks by me and my buddy.

[@johncoopes1056]

Lipless rod. Tim said 855. List says 845. Which one is it?

[@ProKr3w]

Can you guys make a pond video per season?

[@davidhidalgo5662]

It has been awhile so I am getting out my hammer. Amazon, Amazon, Amazon!!! Still waiting for a shirt with burn burn burn, pause, burn burn burn, pause with pictures of your crankbaits.

[@jamesbourlard7892]

My baits have been going Rapala

[@joeb7508]

Do you guys like EWG hooks on cranks?

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes, on smaller crankbaits that fish are likely to inhale. We lean toward straight points on larger baits.

[@joeb7508]

@@tacticalbassin wow! That makes perfect sense. Thanks. As always your reasoning is solid.

[@THEDEUCE.GOESFISHING]

So what you said was the tequila glow wiggle wart I got is too much 😅😂

[@everythingoutdoors-vl9bl]

How do you doit? Oh yeah BURN BURN BURN PAUSE!! 😂

[@Saber_Outdoors]

I wish there was a close up shot of the baits and reels as you were talking about them so me the viewer can see them better

[@tacticalbassin]

If you click on the bait links in the video description you’ll see close up HD shots of each bait 👍

[@BigPeppo91]

Fiance caught one on a crank today

[@ambassin3280]

Bet you you can get that thing snagged in florida

[@FishingJN_7]

Dang, now I’m bout to spend another $1000 on crank baits! 😭

[@dillonpeck5463]

Another video that makes me question the validity of this channel lol