Favorite cranks and where to get them cheap

[Ryan Berger]

Just wondering what everyone is going to be using for cranks this year, and if anyone knows where to go to get a good price...

[friendlyfisher]

Rapala, Rapala and more raps

I would say to buy them on hsolist.

or BASS Pro shops spring specials.

I was getting floating rapalas up to size 13 and DT6, DT10 for under 5$ form bass pro.

[riverrat56]

I use almost all raps, i will be trying some Walleye Divers this year though, Cabelas had Glass Raps on sale for 4 bucks a pop, 2 bucks cheaper than normal, and walleye divers for 2 bucks, which is also 2 bucks off.

[LocalGuide]

I use about 60% raps and then the others are Cotton Cordel, Salmo is another big one, and storm cranks.

I have been getting more and more into Salmo line of lures. I think they are top of line stuff.

But for a nice healthy start rapala does a pretty good job.

To get them cheap the end of the year clearances and things in bait shops is a good spot. This time of year its kind of tough.

[Borch]

Favorites? Whatever the fish want. However, Most shad raps , smaller raps and rattlin rogue in the spring and early summer. From that point on it's a mixed bag of shad raps, rapalas, thundersticks, rattlin rogues, wally divers, husky jerks, bangos, etc. Come fall It's #13-18 rapalas, thunder sticks, big bombers, #14 husky jerks etc.

As far as where to find them cheap. Check clearance bins, store sales, ebay, auctions, etc.

Good Luck!

[DARK30]

I couldn't help but notice all the rapalas in the "bargain box" here and there. I don't even know which one it is but it is not the shad rap. They look like some kind of cheaply manufactured model that they're trying to get rid of. You might find them on sale but you won't find shad raps cheap.

I'd like to try a few of those Salmos out though....Hey Ed, can you send me a few samples buddy? (Now that's cheap)

[Deitz Dittrich]

For me cranks really depend on the species I am after. I mostly fish for bass, my top 2 providers of fish are Poes cedar cranks and Bandits in the 100 and 200 size. For walleye it really hard to beat a shad rap.

[gspman]

For walleyes I like the Cordell Wally Diver in the smaller size. Been using them for many many years and love them.

[Mike W]

Bombers, shad raps, Husky jerks. Guess it depends on what you are fishing for, where and when.

As far as cheap Walmart seems to have some of the best prices but not much for selection. Fleet farm is next followed up byu gander.

I stopped looking at crankbait as being expensive. If you compair them to live bait cranks seem to be a cheaper way to go. by the time Im done buying bait, hooks, sinkers, bobbers, spinners, floats and every thing else that goes with it $5 buck for a crankbait looks pretty cheap. Then I can fish with the crank bait the rest of the summer or longer.

The only crank I find expensive is one that does not catch fish.

[cheektowaga]

I love rapalas broken shads, but have gone to other brands, storm's particularly for more of the shallow running cranks.

Corny as it sounds I agree with Friendly-hsolist, if you can find a big enough lot of them with low shipping it can be a steal. I got a box of 19 brand new assorted cranks (mosltly rapalas and rattling rogue's) for $35, and that included shipping!

[dfv87]

I fish mainly rapala lures, but I find lots of great cranks in the "bargain bins" you really can find good lures cheaply priced. especially if the package has been damaged. So the next time you see me in Gander or fleet tearing open rapala packages and leaving them, I am planning for my fall crank needs!!!

Just kiddin people!

[Rost]

Mostly Shad Raps, Walleye Divers, and Deep Lil Rippers.

[Tom Linderholm]

I would have to agree with Deitz for inland lakes the Bandit 100 in Silver with red eyes became my first cast wonder time and time again. Definatley my go to crank. For the big water I prefer Rebel Fast Tracks for the ability to run it anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 without fouling the action on the bait. Favorite color would be Gold with a black back and white belly and White with red head.

[tonyjor]

I just picked up a couple Abu Garcia shallow diving crankbaits from Fleet arm for a buck a piece. Don't know how well they work, but the price was right.

[Thomas]

Gander mt. is having great sale on cranks - husky jerk, smithwick rogue etc...

[walleyewacker]

I am suprised I havent heard more about reef runners, I am using little rippers more and more now, but they have their time and place. Thundersticks and hotntots see a lot of water time but nothing compared to raps. Originals have been best on leadcore and its mostly shad raps/fatraps on longline trolling. In my home lakes I cant get the glass raps to come close to the old school balsa, other places I go glass seems to be best. I guess this is for 100% walleyes too.

[Lost]

As previously stated, Gander has an awesome crank sale going on right now. Large rapala's (10, 12, and 14's) for $2.99. They've got Pradco brands for sale at $1.99. Sugoi (yamamoto brand) for $2.99 each. These look awesome. Definitely got me to bite. Mann's are $1.99. Heh. I go in there so often, I've got them memorized.

I'm definitely going to test out the Sugoi's... they have 3D characteristics that you normally don't see in a crankbait making them look more realistic.

I'm also interested in trying some of the Salmo brand. I hear they're top notch.

[poutpro]

Check the Scheels discount bins. Last year I was able to get about a dozen CD 9s for 2.50 each. Thats a great deal anywhere. If there would have been more, I would have gotten them all probably. They are usually the discontinued styles, but they still work even if Rapala isn't going to make it anymore.

[Rip_Some_Lip]

Has anyone seen the "northern" colored rapalas and if so, where can I buy them? My fishing buddy got some new colors through North American Fishing Club last spring. He has a jointed rap that is painted like a northern and it worked better than anything we used. He also had some other colors which are on the shelves (I think).

[MRWALLEYE2005]

Maybe the big Gander has them in Mankato or probably Cabelas in Owatonna. I see the pike color is new in my Cabelas catolog i just got. Does he cast it along shorelines? What kind of fish does he get on it?

[Rip_Some_Lip]

We used them last spring/summer and caught walleyes, northerns, and bass. We were just casting in shallow water.

[MRWALLEYE2005]

I might have to try them this year. They cost about 5 bucks in the Cabelas tackleshop catolog.

[Rip_Some_Lip]

I was just looking on the Cabelas HSOforum. I can only find that coloe on the jointed minnows. I wonder why the Husky Jerks and the non-jointed ones dont come in that color?

[tonyjor]

I bought a Polish Pike 6" and I've caught MANY nice northerns and 1 19" walleye on it. It's my favorite crankbait. I also have great confidence in the Polish Perch, great for big bass and northerns. They are both at Gander Mtn and Fleet Farm for about $10 each. I think they are well worth it for the price. Fish them in about 10-16 FOW next to weedlines. A fish on 2 out of 3 casts almost every day I've used them

[J-Hawk]

My favorite is the Yo-Zuri crystal minnow. They're extremely durable and the shiner-looking. Finding them cheap? No idea! Its a good deal in the long run though because they will work great for many seasons.