What Are The 7 Best Crankbaits For Bass?
These are the 7 best crankbaits for bass that will help you catch more lunkers.
7 Best Crankbaits For Bass - Quick Guide
- Strike King KVD 1.5 Shallow Square Bill CrankbaitRapala Rattlin 05 Bass Lure
- Rapala Rattlin 05 Bass Lure
- TRUSCEND Multi Jointed Swimbait
- Bandit Series 300 Crankbait
- Basskiller Crankbaits C-65 Square Bill Crankbait
- Rapala Jointed Shallow Shad Rap 7
- Bill Lewis Rat L Trap
Can’t decide on the best crankbaits for your next bass fishing adventure?
Crankbaits are really great ways to cover a lot of ground when searching for largemouth bass or even the elusive smallmouth bass. There are some that bass fishermen swear by when they want to fish a crankbait.
There are so many choices of lures to use for crankbait fishing, but if you're like most who love bass fishing, you don’t have the time to wade through the options. No worries, we have you covered with our research so you can make an educated crankbait buying decision quickly.
Keep reading to find the best crankbait for bass that will work for you.
How We Choose
We know that the only thing better than having the right crankbait is the peace of mind that comes with it, knowing you've got the right lure for the right time.
Our team has read through thousands of user reviews and star ratings to come up with a list that makes it easier for you to decide what the best crankbaits are for bass. Don’t bother spending lots of time reading over many many reviews, we’ve done it for you and have come up with these 7 top crankbaits to help you get the most out of your next fishing trip.
Read below for details and you can check the price on the one that you like.
Strike King KVD 1.5 Shallow Square Bill Crankbait
Kevin VanDam Designed Shallow Squarebill Crankbait
Strike King KVD 1.5 Shallow Squarebill Crankbait
Why We Love It
"A squarebill is something I've always got tied on." - Kevin VanDam
Legendary professional fisherman Kevin VanDam helped Strike King design these specialty crankbaits for bass.
These lures are perfect for shallow water and "power fishing", or when you're trying to cover more ground quickly in an effort to find fish. The squarebill design and unique "hunting" action will constantly "wander" with erratic movement, and keep it straight. This KVD series of lures have no internal rattles so you can take the "silent" approach.
And the solid construction of these lures are designed to take a beating. The lip is angled just perfectly for more of a glancing blow style, so they'll bump off logs and rocks and still run true.
Here's What To Know
- Black nickel hooks
- Chip-resistant paint
- 3D "look-alive" eyes
- Dives 10"
- 3/8oz
- Erratic action
Rapala Rattlin 05 Bass Lure
Why We Love It
This is an extra-loud, extra obnoxious, shallow-running crankbait with two full-size treble hooks for sure hookups. In a lot of cases in fishing, obnoxious is good, and this crankbait has that covered.
Sound always raises curiosity in fish and triggers a closer look. These lures actually have sound frequencies that are harmonic, uniform, and "in tune". The sound these lures make, combined with the legendary Rapala "wobble" is what make these lures so effective.
It's a viable lure anywhere you can fish. The long-casting, lipless design makes this lure viable anywhere you can fish. Rip it fast or run it slow — either way, it sound is like the fish hearing the dinner bell. Rapala puts its premium VMC black nickel hooks on these, and hand-tunes and tank-tests them so they're good to go right out of the box.
Here's What To Know
- Great at slow to very fast retrieve rates
- Sinking
- Long-Casting
- Balanced Design
- Special "tuned" sound chamber is loaded with rattlin' BBs
- Classic lipless design
- VMC black nickel hooks
- Hand-tuned & tank-tested
TRUSCEND Multi Jointed Swimbait
What We Like About It
These jointed glide baits from TRUSCEND are extremely popular. You can cast or troll them, and the loud rattles are good for putting out the "vibe". They're geared to swim in the water column at about 6-8 feet.
If you stop these lures for a few seconds, randomly, it makes them float slowly and puts them in the strike zone. And with all the joints in this the swimming motion is slightly exaggerated which can help make disinterested fish suddenly interested. They actually look like a real shiner swimming in the water, they are very responsive and effective.
They're a great value than some of the other ones, and frankly we can't tell the difference in the way they swim.
Here's What To Know
- Large diving lip to dive quickly
- Rattle chamber creates a light knocking sound
- Sharp BKK hooks
- 3D eyes
- Top-of-the-line paint schemes
- Loud internal rattles
- textured scale pattern finishes
- Suitable for both inshore saltwater & freshwater fishing
- Functions well anywhere in water column
- Equally effective whether cast or trolled
- Durable dual stainless steel hinged joint connection
- Lightweight and durable plastic body
Bandit Series 300 Crankbait
What We Like About It
The Bandit lures have a tight wobble that attracts strikes from large mouth bass in lakes in temperatures from the low 40s to the low 50s, provided only that you crank them very slowly. I use a 5.4:1 gear ratio bait casting reel to facilitate this slower rate of retrieve.
The lures feature high quality hardware, including strong split rings and sharp hooks. We like to think that sharp hooks are a given in a fishing lure - shouldn't it be sharp? Ever hear of a lure saying their hooks are dull?
Anyway, these are very buoyant, so they'll float clear of underwater obstacles if you simply pause the retrieve. A tip for these is to wait a few seconds before you begin the retrieve because they can trigger a topwater strike when they first land.
Bandit makes these in tons of colors so you can choose dependent on cloud cover and water clarity. When bass are feeding on bluegills in water with 1 to 2 foot clarity, the pearl - black back color works very well.
Here's What To Know
- Lead weights creates a dull thud sound that fish love
- Searching swimming action that triggers strikes
- Wide array of color patterns
- Can be cast or trolled
- Molded-in lip runs true right out of the package every time
- Dive Depth is 8 to 12 Feet
- 2 Inch, 3/8 Ounce
Basskiller Crankbaits C-65 Square Bill Crankbait
What We Like About It
The shape of a squarebill crankbait’s lip makes it ideal for banging off cover like rocks and branches without getting hung up. That disturbance caused by a crankbait's commotion of hitting and deflecting away from cover is often what triggers nearby fish to strike
Square-bills have predominantly taken over the market for crankbaits, and these are a great deal for the price, as you get 3 lures with each order. Every tackle box needs crankbaits, and these are such a good deal you can load up with different colors to cover yourself in all types of cloud cover and water clarity.
Here's What To Know
- Perfect for shallow water power fishing
- Constantly “wanders” with erratic action while still running true
- Bill helps deflect off cover
- High strength ABS
- Holographic 3D eyes
- Sharp treble hooks
- Used for bass, perch, walleye, pike, muskie, trout, snook
- Suitable for both saltwater and freshwater
Rapala Jointed Shallow Shad Rap 7
What We Like About It
Rapala's Shad Rap has been a solid lure for a long time, and these jointed Shad Raps are no exception. These have an ultra realistic pattern on them and is perfectly balanced. You can choose the running depth by choosing the 1" for shallow, to the 2 3/4" for a deeper runner.
The joint gives this a very erratic action that will run straight, then from side to side. Then the loud rattles will put out sound designed to mimic a wounded baitfish. This bait works well when you pause briefly so it suspends, and holds in the strike zone.
Rapala gives these their VMC black nickel hooks, so there's no real need to tweak these out of the box.
Here's What To Know
- Wide Swimming Action
- Suspending
- Rhythmic Rattle
- Lightweight & Durable Plastic Body
- Quick Diving Lip Design
- VMC® Black Nickel Hooks
- Hand Tuned & Tank Tested
Bill Lewis Rat L Trap
Legendary Bass Lure Many Try To Imitate But Can't
Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap Bass Lure
What We Like About It
The Rat-L-Trap, is recognized as the most popular, and consequently, the most imitated lure over the past 35 years. But imitation doesn’t mean that those imitators got it right, because the original Rat-L-Trap is still one of the OGs of crankbaits. Top bass professionals use the Rat-L-Trap in tournaments all the time.
In 2007, Boyd Duckett used a Rat-L-Trap and wasn't being paid to do so, but it was a good decision when he took home the trophy. And that boosted sales of this unique and legendary invention from Bill Lewis.
The fact is that while dozens of lure companies have spent the last 30 years trying to make a lure as good as the Rat-L-Trap, it's only made the original Rat-L-Trap better.
These are made in the USA, from the rattles to the paint schemes.
Here's What To Know
- All Bill Lewis Rat-L-Traps are made in the USA
- Rat-L-Traps Have interior rattles that make plenty or sound as you reel them in.
- Realistic Paint help make these Lures producers
- 1/2 oz Weight
- 35 Years of producing results. Rat-L-Traps are often imitated, but never outdone.
All About Crankbaits
Shallow and Medium Diving Crankbait
Shallow diving crankbaits, as their name tells, are best for fishing to about four feet deep.
What are they used for?
These lures are great for fish hanging out closer to shore. Because it's geared for shallow tracking, it's less likely to hang on weeds.
With a smaller lip, these baits also offer less resistance on the retrieve.
Deep Diving Crankbaits
Deep diving crankbaits, as the name suggests will go deeper so they're better suited for deep water. It's a much bigger lure than a shallow or medium diving crankbait. A deep diving crankbait also has a much bigger lip, which offers more resistance in the water.
Since these crankbaits are heavier, it's best if you use a heavier rod with them.
What is a crankbait used for?
A crankbait is a bait that can help an angler cover more water quickly in an effort to find fish. Depending on the bait, you can use a deeper diving or a shallow diving version, and with quick casts and working with a tempo, you can make a quick determination if there are fish in the area.
Lipless Crankbaits
As their name signifies, a lipless crankbait does not have the plastic lip that crankbaits are usually have. You simply attach the line to the top of the lure's body.
A lipless crankbait also will have multiple ball bearings in it that serve to make it heavier. These ball bearings make sounds that attract fish.
What are they used for?
Their design makes them suitable to be retrieved quickly, and the weight of the lipless crankbait makes them ideal for sinking quickly. And while shallow and deep diving crankbaits wobble when you retrieve them, a lipless crankbaits will produce more vibration.
The Right Color
Sometimes all it takes is a color change and the bite is on. Why does that happen? It has to do with the fish's vision relative to the sky's brightness. Make sense?
- What are they eating? Sometimes you can see what they're eating when you catch one. If you can, then pick a lure that mimics the baitfish the bass are eating.
- Dirty Water = Bright colors. Time to go all Sesame Street on the bass. Bright shiny colors like orange or yellow.
- Clear Water = Natural colors. Use muted tones like brown or even a gray.
Best Crankbaits For Bass FAQs
Still can't figure out which crankbait is right for you?
That's ok, there are tons of bass anglers who have been stumped about which lure to use for bass.
We’ve created a buyer’s guide of frequently asked questions to help you choose the best crankbait for your needs. Hopefully one of these questions is one you've already asked yourself about the best crankbaits for bass.
What is the best color crankbait for bass?
Use white colors on cloudy or rainy days. If bass are eating crayfish, try a green or brown colored crankbait. In stained or muddywater , use bright colored crankbait, like orange or chartreuse.
What is the most popular crankbait?
- Strike King KVD 1.5 Flat Side- Best Shallow Diving Crankbait
- Rapala DT (Dives-To) Series - Best Medium Depth Crankbait
- Strike King Pro-Model 6XD - Best Deep Diving Crankbait
- Strike King KVD Square Bill Silent- Best “Silent” Crankbait
What color crankbait should I use?
Use bright colors in murky water, and a more dull color in clear water. Also, look at the sky for your color. Lighter colors, even white will be more visible on an overcast day.
What size crankbait should I use?
Generally, smaller baits for smaller fish. For bass, 2"-5" or so, if you're going for big pike or muskie, bigger can be better.
What are the best crankbait rods?
Check out our review of the Best Crankbait Rods here.
What is the best bait for bass in a lake?
What's the best bait for largemouth bass? For live bait, fish like shiners, minnows, or shad and crawfish work very well since these are what bass usually eat. Largemouth bass eat other fish, so the best artificial baits tend to be those that mimic what they like to eat.
What month is best for bass fishing?
Most anglers will say that April is the best month to fish for bass. But it depends on your region. Bass may just be starting to come out from their winter depths or already well into spawn in April.
What is the best crankbait for largemouth bass?
- Rapala Rattlin 05
- Strike King KVD Shallow Square Bill Crankbait
- Rat L Trap
- Rapala Jointed Shallow Shad Rap 7
- Basskiller Crankbaits Square Bill Crankbait
- Bandit Series 300 Crankbait
- TRUSCEND Multi Jointed Swimbait
The Best Crankbaits For Bass - The Last Cast
So what are the best crankbaits to help you catch bass? The answer to that may vary from person to person but we’ve tried to provide a variety of best options for you based on thousands of reviews. We hope you find this information helpful to find the right lures for your next crankbait fishing adventure.
All you have to do now is just click the orange button to check the price on the squarebill crankbait for you. Thanks!
Cheers to the outdoors,
Bert
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Bert Martin