If you’re looking to level up your fishing game, this is the ultimate guide to finding the best crankbaits for bass.
Crankbaits are versatile, powerful lures that can mimic the natural prey of bass, triggering strikes like few other options can.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned angler, choosing the right crankbait makes all the difference in landing those big bites. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know—from key crankbait features to top picks for every fishing scenario—helping you find success.
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Our Top Picks: Best Crankbaits For Bass
Want to skip the read? Here are our top choices for the best crankbaits for bass. Keep reading as this is the ultimate guide to crankbait fishing!
- Best Square-Bill Crankbait: KVD 1.5 Square Bill
- Best Round-Bill Crankbait: Rapala DT Series
- Best Lipless Crankbait: Strike King Red Eye Shad
- Best Deep-Diving Crankbait: Strike King 6XD
- Best Finesse Crankbait: Lucky Craft RC 1.5
- Best Wake Bait: Jackall Cherry Zero Footer
In This Post
Understanding Crankbait Fishing: Key Features of Crankbaits
To fish successfully with crankbaits, you need to understand what makes them so effective.
In this section, we’ll cover the key features of crankbaits that help them mimic baitfish, trigger strikes, and ultimately land more bass.
Lips and Diving Depths
The lip of a crankbait determines its diving depth and action underwater. Crankbaits have different lip shapes and lengths, designed to control how deep and how aggressively the bait swims.
- What to Look For: Shallow-diving crankbaits are ideal for fishing around cover or grassy areas, while deep-divers work well in open water or near drop-offs where bass are holding at lower depths.
Body Shape and Size
Crankbaits come in different body shapes—round, flat, or square—that influence their action and appeal to bass in varied water conditions.
- What to Look For: A rounded body gives a wide wobble that’s perfect for murky water, while flat-sided crankbaits produce a tighter, subtle action that’s ideal in colder water or clear conditions.
Rattles and Silent Options
Some crankbaits have built-in rattles that create noise, while others are silent to avoid spooking bass.
- What to Look For: Use noisy crankbaits in stained water or on windy days to help bass locate the lure. In pressured or clear waters, a silent crankbait can appear more natural and attract cautious bass.
Color and Pattern
Crankbait colors vary widely, from natural baitfish tones to bold, high-contrast colors.
- What to Look For: Match the hatch with natural colors in clear water, while brighter, more noticeable colors work well in stained water or low-light conditions. Experimenting with color can be especially effective for stubborn bass.
Buoyancy and Material
Crankbaits are either floating, sinking, or suspending, depending on their material and design.
- What to Look For: Floating crankbaits are great for shallow water and can be paused to rise over cover. Sinking or suspending crankbaits stay at certain depths, letting you target bass holding lower in the water column.
Understanding these key crankbait features will allow you to choose the perfect lure for each fishing scenario, helping you draw more strikes and bring in more bass.
What Are The Different Types Of Crankbaits?
Crankbaits come in several types, each designed to target bass in specific conditions and water depths. Here are the main types to know:
Square-Bill Crankbaits
These shallow-diving crankbaits have a square-shaped lip, allowing them to deflect off cover like rocks and wood without snagging.
- Best For: Shallow, rocky areas or around dense cover where bass are likely hiding.
Round-Bill Crankbaits
Often deeper-diving, round-bill crankbaits have a wider wobble and reach deeper depths than square-bills.
- Best For: Fishing in open water or near submerged structures where bass are deeper down.
Lipless Crankbaits
These crankbaits have no lip, allowing them to sink quickly and produce a tight, vibrating action. They’re ideal for covering large areas quickly.
- Best For: Open water and covering lots of ground; effective in colder months when bass are closer to the bottom.
Deep-Diving Crankbaits
With a long, angled lip, deep-diving crankbaits reach depths of 10–20 feet or more, perfect for targeting bass holding in deeper water.
- Best For: Summer months or deeper structures like ledges and drop-offs where bass retreat.
Finesse Crankbaits
Smaller, more subtle crankbaits with tight action, designed to attract bass in clear water or high-pressure situations.
- Best For: Clear water, tough conditions, or when bass are inactive and need a more natural presentation.
Wake Baits
These topwater crankbaits are designed to create a “wake” on the surface, ideal for drawing bass up from shallow depths. You can read more about wake baits in our Topwater Lures Guide.
- Best For: Early mornings or evening fishing when bass are likely feeding closer to the surface.
Understanding these types of crankbaits can help you pick the right one based on depth, cover, and bass activity, allowing you to adapt and increase your chances of hooking more bass. Next, let’s look at the top crankbait picks for your tackle box!
The Best Crankbaits For Bass (By Types)
Here’s a lineup of some of the best crankbaits for bass fishing, broken down by type to help you find the perfect option for any scenario:
1. Best Square-Bill Crankbait: KVD 1.5 Square Bill
Designed by pro angler Kevin VanDam, this crankbait’s square lip deflects well off cover, making it a go-to for shallow fishing.
- Depth: 3–5 feet
- Best For: Shallow cover like rocks and stumps
- Color Options: Chartreuse, Bluegill, Sexy Shad
2. Best Round-Bill Crankbait: Rapala DT Series
The Rapala DT dives quickly to your desired depth and holds it, offering a natural wobble for attracting bass in deeper water.
- Depth: 4–20 feet (depending on model)
- Best For: Deeper water structures
- Special Feature: Balsa wood construction
3. Best Lipless Crankbait: Strike King Red Eye Shad
Known for its aggressive vibration and realistic action, this lipless crankbait is perfect for covering large areas and targeting active bass.
- Depth: Variable, sinking
- Best For: Fast retrieve or yo-yoing in open water
- Sound: Rattling model for extra attraction
4. Best Deep-Diving Crankbait: Strike King 6XD
The 6XD is crafted to hit those deep ledges where bass like to hold, especially during warmer months.
- Depth: Up to 20 feet
- Best For: Summer bass in deep structures
- Lip Design: Angled for fast diving
5. Best Finesse Crankbait: Lucky Craft RC 1.5
This crankbait’s tight action is subtle enough to trigger bites from finicky bass, ideal for clear water and pressured fishing spots.
- Depth: 4–6 feet
- Best For: Clear water and high-pressure lakes
- Material: Durable plastic with quality finishes
6. Best Wake Bait: Jackall Cherry Zero Footer
A topwater wake bait that mimics struggling baitfish, perfect for bass feeding near the surface.
- Depth: Surface level
- Best For: Low-light conditions and shallow water
- Action: Subtle, splashing motion
Each of these crankbaits offers specific benefits based on type, depth, and the conditions you’re facing, making them versatile options for a wide range of bass fishing situations. Now, let’s dive into some final thoughts to wrap it up!
How To Choose The Right Crankbait For Your Waters
When choosing the right crankbait for your waters, focus on matching your bait to the conditions and target depth. Here’s a breakdown:
- Water Clarity: In clear water, use natural colors like shad or bluegill. In murky water, go bold with bright colors like chartreuse or red to increase visibility.
- Depth: Choose a crankbait that dives to the specific depth where fish are likely holding. Shallow cranks (like square-bills) work best around shallow cover, while deep-diving models excel in deep water or drop-offs.
- Structure and Cover: For heavy cover or rocky areas, use crankbaits with a tougher, thicker lip (like square-bills) that deflects off obstacles easily, reducing snags.
- Water Temperature: Cooler water often calls for a slow retrieve with a tighter wobble, so opt for crankbaits with subtler action. In warmer water, bass respond well to aggressive retrieves and wide-wobble baits.
- Local Baitfish: Match your crankbait’s color and size to local prey for a more natural presentation, which can trigger more bites.
Choosing the right crankbait will maximize your chances of catching bass by adapting to the unique factors of your specific fishing spot.
Final Thoughts
In choosing the best crankbaits for bass, having the right bait tailored to water clarity, depth, and conditions can make a huge difference in your catch rate.
This guide was designed to help you navigate these options and find the crankbaits that will work best for you.
Whether you’re fishing shallow cover, deep structure, or matching local baitfish, having a versatile selection in your tackle box ensures you’re prepared for any scenario.
Looking for more? Visit Matt’s Playbook, The Ultimate Fishing Guide designed to help you reach your fishing goals.
FAQ
What is the best crankbait for bass?
The best crankbait for bass often depends on the water conditions and bass behavior. For versatility, a medium-diving crankbait in a natural color is ideal, but specific picks include square bills for shallow waters and deep divers for open water fishing. Check out the Best Crankbaits For Bass section of this post for our picks by type.
What size crankbaits for bass?
Most anglers find success with 2- to 3-inch crankbaits, but size should vary based on water clarity, bass size, and forage. Smaller sizes are ideal for pressured or clear waters, while larger baits work well in murkier conditions.
What is the #1 best bait for bass?
Crankbaits are certainly contenders, but many consider soft plastic worms and jigs to be some of the most versatile bass baits. Crankbaits, however, excel in covering water and enticing reaction bites.
What color crankbait for bass?
Water clarity influences color choice—natural colors (like shad or crawfish) work well in clear water, while brighter colors (like chartreuse or red) excel in murky water.
How do I choose a crankbait?
Consider the water depth, clarity, and forage. Shallow-diving crankbaits are great for banks, while deep-diving ones work for open waters. Match colors to the environment, and select a crankbait size similar to the local baitfish.
What is the most successful bass lure?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all, crankbaits, soft plastics, and jigs are among the most successful lures due to their versatility and ability to trigger strikes.
How fast should you reel a crankbait?
The retrieval speed varies by water temperature and fish activity. In warmer waters, a faster retrieve can be effective, while cooler water usually calls for a slower, more deliberate retrieval.
Do you jerk a crankbait?
Though typically a steady retrieve works best, adding occasional jerks or pauses can mimic injured prey and trigger a reaction strike, especially in pressured or clear waters.
How deep can a crankbait go?
Depth varies by crankbait type. Shallow cranks dive to 3-6 feet, while deep-diving crankbaits can reach depths of 10 feet or more.
