Ask any professional angler, and they’ll tell you that crankbaits are among the best lures for catching bass. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes that you can choose from. Crankbaits also come in different colors, which work great for different types of waters.
Best Crankbaits for Bass
Since crankbaits come in a wide range of options, it can be hard for a casual angler to pick the best lure. So to make it easier for you, I have come with a list of the best crankbaits for bass. Hopefully, this article can help you find what you are looking for.
Product Overview
- My number one pick: Bomber Lures Square A Crankbait
- Best Budget: Rapala Balsa Brat
- Most Reviews: Bomber Lures Fat Free Shad Crankbait
Crankbaits compared:
Bomber Lures Square A Crankbait
- sport type: Boating Fishing Outdoor Lifestyle
Features
- Comes with a wide range of color options, including Foxy Shad, Fire Tiger, Apple Red Crawdad, Dark Brown Crawdad, etc
- Length: 1 5/8-inch and 2 inches
- Weight: 1/4 ounce and 3/8 ounce
- Two sizes to choose from
- Designed for both beginners and pros
- Running depth of 3 feet
Bomber Lures is one of the best manufacturers of crankbaits. You’ll find just about every bass angler carrying a bomber crankbait with them when they go out to fish. Among their line of products, the Square A is easily on the best crankbaits. What I love about this crankbait is its amazing design, durability, and castability. Even if you’re a beginner, you can easily use the Bomber Square A Crankbait.
Unlike most crankbaits, the Bomber Square A is not chunky or big. It has a slim design, which makes it easy to maneuver around big obstacles. However, the slim design on a crankbait may not be everyone’s taste.
This particular crankbait from Bomber Lures comes in two variants; the 1 5/8 inches, which weighs 1/4ounces, and the 2 inches crankbait weighing 3/8 ounces. Despite their differences in size, both crankbaits are quite small. However, their small stature does not mean they do not perform well. They actually do an amazing job in the waters and can even catch some pretty big bass.
The Square A is also excellent when it comes to durability. But, it does not come as a surprise since the crankbait is a product of Bomber Lures after all. I used the crankbait through some gnarly experience, but I’ve not seen any damages as of yet.
Pros
- Suitable with your everyday gears
- Works well in all types of weather conditions
- Excellent quality product
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons
- The slim shape may not sit well with everyone
The Bomber Square A is undoubtedly one of the best crankbaits for bass out there. Its popularity is quickly rising, and it’s guaranteed to make you fall in love with it. If you don’t already have the Square A crankbait, what are you even waiting for?
You do not want to miss out on this! Follow this link to get your Bomber Square A to have one of the best bass fishing experience ever.
Rapala Balsa Brat
- Balsa core and copolymer outer shell
- Modified flat side and a "V" cut belly
- Hard flash, Wild tracking, kick outs
Features
- Comes in a wide range of color options, including blue, silver, blaze, delta, and many more
- Copolymer Outer Shell
- Balsa core
- Weight: 0.48 ounces
- Diving depth: 3 to 6 foot
- Length: 2 inches
If you know a little something about angling, you’ve probably heard of Rapala. This fishing supplies manufacturer has been around since the 1930s, and they make some of the best budget friendly lures in the market. One of their most well-known and loved lures is the Balsa Brat, also known as BX Brat.
The Rapala Balsa Brat is an amazing crankbait that works great for shallow waters. It comes in two models; the 03 and the 06, both of which measure two inches. So they are quite small compared to other crankbaits. This small size can either be a good or a bad thing. Personally, I prefer smaller crankbaits because they are great for both smallmouth and bigmouths.
This crankbait from Rapala has an inner core made of balsa and a strong copolymer shell. While it is worth mentioning that Balsa Brat is not the most durable crankbait, you will still be getting an amazing product for the price.
Another thing worth mentioning is those extremely sharp pair of hooks. The hooks’ sharpness on the Balsa Brat is extremely helpful when you’re out catching bass. Once bass comes and takes a bite on it, it is impossible for them to escape.
And finally, the huge variety of unique color options on the crankbait also makes it highly desirable. Most lures on the market today have generic colors, which can be boring since everyone owns something similar. However, some of the Rapala Balsa Brat colors are unique, which makes it fun to own them.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Sharp hooks
- Unique sets of color
- Easy to use
- Suitable for both smallmouth and bigmouths
Cons
- Not the most durable crankbait
Are you looking for an affordable crankbait to enhance your bass fishing experience? The Rapala Balsa Brat just might be what you’re looking for. This tiny yet effective product from Rapala is one of the best crankbait you will find under $10.
Click here to bring home the best budget-friendly crankbait for bass.
Bomber Lures Fat Free Shad Crankbait
- The Bomber Fat Free Fingerling is a serious crankbait for serious bass...
- It's perfect for cranking around docks and standing timber, as well as...
- With constant pressure, the bait normally comes right through the thick...
Features
- 19 different color options to choose from
- Crankbait weight: 3/8 ounce
- Length: 2 3/8 inch
- Depth: 4 to 6 feet
The final product on this list is another crankbait from Bomber Lure, which is the Fat Free Shad Crankbait. It is another amazing product that will not disappoint the average angler. The things I love about this crankbait are very similar to the Square A. It has a design that I really like with amazing sound and profile.
It has a weight of 3/8 ounce, which can dive in about 4 to 6 inches. This depth is quite effective in catching bass during both pre-spawn and post-spawn season.
The Fat Free Shad Crankbait is also very durable, just like every other Bomber Lures. It will not receive much damage despite how rough the fishing gets. Bass fishing can be unpredictable at time. While trying to catch fish, you can, at times, collide with covers in the water. But, despite all the collisions in my fishing experience, I’ve not seen any broken hooks or chips in the paint.
If you’re worried about its durability, you should know that the Fat Free Shad Crankbait is also very maneuverable. It can easily find its way around hardcovers, whether it’s scattered rock, piles of stumps, hidden laydowns, etc.
Another point that is worth mentioning is the amazing castability of the lure. Regardless of the wind, you can easily cast it like a rocket! You can cast the crankbait to huge distances. Hence, if there are large stumps or bush around you, you won’t face any issues.
Pros
- Great build quality
- Good depth for a crankbait
- Great weight
- Lots of color options
- Amazing hooks
Cons
- The size may be a bit large for smallmouth
If bass fishing is your thing, the Bomber Lures Fat Free Shad Crankbait is a must-have. It is personally one of my favorites, and you should definitely try it too.
If you are in the market for a good crankbait for bass, you can click here to get the Bomber Lures Fat Free Shad Crankbait. It is highly unlikely for the product to disappoint you.
FAQ
How do crankbaits work?
Using a crankbait is pretty simple yet very effective for fishing. Crankbaits usually have a bill around the mouth designed to get the lure under the water. The depth will depend on the size of this bill.
Crankbaits also have two hooks to hang on to fishes that try to eat it.
What is a crankbait good for?
Crankbaits are among the best lures in the world of fishing. They are a great option if you want to catch some fish that eats small baits. Besides that, crankbaits are also great for covering large areas of water in a short period. You will also find that crankbaits are very appealing to fishes that are in a feeding mood, and as such, you will enjoy a great catch.
What action rod should I use with crankbaits?
While crankbaits are a great fishing lure, they do not work great with all types of action rod. If you’re going to fish with crankbaits, you’ll want to use a rod with slow action. A slow action rod is one that bends about halfway down with a little pressure.
Slow action rod will help you cast your crankbaits further away.
What line is best for crankbaits?
Crankbaits work well with just about every type of line out there. However, braided line is undoubtedly the best choice for fishing with crankbaits. No doubt, all fishing lines have their advantages. But the way braided lines let you feel your lure during a retrieve is incomparable.
Niels Thomas is a wildlife expert and fishing fanatic that works with major fishing brands like Deeper Sonar, Abu Garcia, Berkley, PENN, BassPro and Pure Fishing. Through sharing the best fishing tips, tricks, gear reviews, locations and much more he hopes to inspire fishing fanatics to start their own journey towards becoming the King of the Catch!