My personal favorite crankbait for bass is the Rapala Shallow Shad Rap. It has earned this special place because of its impressive blend of functionality and reliability, which is truly exceptional, especially in shallow waters. The responsive, buoyant action, thanks to its balsa wood construction, is just too enticing for bass to ignore. With Rapala’s renowned craftsmanship that leads to an incredibly lifelike design and meticulous attention to detail, this crankbait is a standout performer, provoking aggressive strikes even under challenging conditions.
- Best Shallow Diving Crankbait – Rapala Shallow Shad Rap
- Best Deep Diving Crankbait – Strike King 10XD
- Best Topwater Crankbait – Megabass Vision 110
- Best Squarebill Crankbait – Lucky Craft Squarebill
See also: How to String a Fishing Pole
Ever since I could hold a rod in my hand, I’ve been fishing. Crankbaits were the bait that turned fishing into a lifetime passion. They’re effective, versatile, and easy to use. Their simplicity helped me land countless bass during some of the earliest memories of my life. If I could nail them as a kid, so could you.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about feeling that deep, powerful tug on your line when a big bass finally falls for your crankbait. This style of bait has proven to be one of the most effective for reeling in those elusive lunkers, and for good reason. Crankbaits can cover water quickly, bounce off cover to entice reaction strikes, and mimic the movement of baitfish with an accuracy that’s hard to beat. But with countless options on the market, how do you choose the right one?
How I Chose the Best Crankbaits for Bass in 2024
Picking the perfect crankbait is more than just a simple choice of color or brand – it requires understanding the crankbait’s action, its diving depth, the material it’s made from, and its overall design. Over the years, I’ve honed my process for selecting the best crankbaits, and it’s this process that I’ve used to choose the standout selections for 2024.
Action: The action of a crankbait is crucial. It’s the wobble and dive of the bait that mimics real prey, making it irresistible to bass. I prioritized crankbaits with a proven, lifelike action that can provoke bass to strike, even in difficult conditions.
Diving Depth: Different crankbaits are designed to work best at different depths, and the depth at which you’re fishing can greatly influence your success. I’ve chosen a range of crankbaits that excel in various depth zones, from shallow to deep, to cater to a variety of fishing situations.
Durability: Fishing for bass is not a gentle sport. Between the aggressive strikes and the inevitable contact with underwater structure, your crankbaits need to be tough. I’ve chosen baits that can stand up to this abuse and continue to perform.
Hook Quality: The hooks on a crankbait need to be sharp and strong enough to secure a bass once it strikes. Poor quality hooks can lead to lost fish, so I ensured the crankbaits on this list come equipped with premium, reliable hooks.
Realism: Finally, the best crankbaits have a lifelike appearance in the water, imitating the look and movement of prey fish. I looked for crankbaits with detailed design and realistic color patterns that can fool even the most wary bass.
Using these criteria, I’ve put together a list of crankbaits that will serve you well in your bass fishing pursuits, whether you’re fishing clear water or murky, shallow flats or deep points. The crankbaits in this list have been tested, refined, and proven to attract and catch bass consistently. So let’s get down to business and reveal the top crankbaits of 2024.
However, if you want a crankbait alternative that bass devour, I recommend getting your hands on one of the best swimbaits: an effective search bait rival!
