Crankbaits Brands

[amateurfishing]

Is there a big difference in crank bait brands? I usually see cotton cordell or strike king etc. cheaper than Rapala but with a lot less info on the packaging. Does a Berkeley run the same as a rapala? the 3 packs are usually a slightly better deal than singles. Or does it vary by brands?

[Tom Sawyer]

Berkley Flicker Shads do run to a depth similar to a #7 Rapala Shad Rap, but with a different action.

Yes, there is lots of differences between brands in many aspects, from materials used, to action, design, and of course quality.

[amateurfishing]

in general does the price directly correlate to quality and strikes? will rapala out produce Berkeley or cotton cordell?

[Nick Kuhn]

Cheaper cranks usually work fairly well. They may require some tuning though, especially after they get beat up a bit. Rapala seems to have very good QC, so when you buy something from them they almost always run true. It costs you more, but you know exactly what you are getting.

[wally diver 2]

Its best to have a selection from all brands because some days one will out produce others greatly. Usually rapala and Berkeley and wally divers typically run good out of the box but reef runners usually require tunning.

[Borch]

Its best to have a selection from all brands because some days one will out produce others greatly. Usually rapala and Berkeley and wally divers typically run good out of the box but reef runners usually require tunning.

Irregardless of brands look for different actions, profiles, rattles, depths and colors.

[wally diver 2]

Typically diffent brands have a different action.

[Fowlmouth]

I've always been a fan of Reef Runner and have good luck with them.

[Borch]

Typically diffent brands have a different action.

While that is true to an extent even staying within the same brand will give you different action options. A floating rapala has a tighter action than and x-rap or a jointed rapala. Then there's the shad raps, and the skatter raps, husky jerks, etc.

Some float, some suspend and other sink.

Sometimes it doesn't make a different and sometimes it makes all the difference. I guess that's why I have the collection that I do.

[harvey lee]

Totally agree Borch. Seem's I have way to many cranks but if I need a certain color for a certain depth with a certain action, hopefully I have it in the boat.

Yes, one can get quite the collection of cranks overtime.

[harvey lee]

Totally agree Borch. Seem's I have way to many cranks but if I need a certain color for a certain depth with a certain action, hopefully I have it in the boat.

Yes, one can get quite the collection of cranks overtime.

[solbes]

Seems we all have varying levels of crankbait additions. It also seems to me that pricing often does roughly approximate quality/performance.

For example I really do get some outstanding results from most Rapala, Salmo, and LuckyCraft. Not to say that every one of those I buy outproduces a Berkley, Cotten Cordell, or Matzuo. And not to say I don't have some Rapala, Salmo, and LuckyCraft duds. So you kind of have to buy one here and there, and try it out for yourself. Sometimes the technique itself is as important as the lure.