Buyer's Guide: Squarebills and Lipless Crankbaits For Every Season

Today's Buyer's guide is all about the reaction bite. In an effort to pack in as much information as possible, we've combined two of the largest crankbait categories into our final buyer's guide of the season. We're looking at shallow crankbaits for triggering a reaction bite, then switching gears to lipless crankbaits and exploring the best baits for fishing shallow grass flats, the best baits for deep water applications, and everything in between. 

Choosing the right crankbait is a combination of 3 variables. First, do you want sound? Second, how large are the baitfish or crawfish you're imitating? And finally, how deep (or shallow) do you need to reach? Answering these 3 questions will guide you to the best bait in your box, every time. From there, a small selection of colors is all you need to meet every situation. 

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits in every size and depth range. We've included our favorite colors, along with the rods, reels, and gear you'll need to be successful on the water. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Magnum Squarebills... 

-Lucky Craft BDS-6: http://bit.ly/2sRZby9

Colors: BP Golden Shiner, TO Craw

-6th Sense Mini Mag: http://bit.ly/31KGyeC

Colors: Ghost Shad Scales, Ghost Threadfin Shad, Delta Craw

Standard Squarebills... 

-Lucky Craft BDS-3: http://bit.ly/2blTVwI

Colors: BP Golden Shiner, TO Craw, Ghost Minnow

-Lucky Craft 1.5 / 2.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Colors: American Shad, BP Golden Shiner, Ghost Minnow

-River2Sea Biggie Poppa and Smalls: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Abalone Shad, Cold Blooded, I Know It

Small Squarebills... 

-Megabass Super Z Z-1 Shallow Crank: https://bit.ly/2Y9dkHB

Colors: Kasumi Ito, Mat Craw 2, GG Gill

-SPRO Little John 50: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Colors: Copper Shad, Natural Herring, Fire Craw, Blood Craw

-SPRO Fat John 50: http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Colors: Matte Shad, Citrus Nasty, Nasty Shad

-Evergreen CH-1: http://bit.ly/2MrsOCG

Colors: Ayu, Fire Craw, Damonde Shad

Large Lipless Crankbaits... 

-6th Sense Quake 80: http://bit.ly/2Kxt4zm

Colors: Shad Scales, American Shad, Crackle Craw

-Spro Aruka Shad 85: http://bit.ly/37seMJN

Colors: Red Crawfish, Spooky Shad, Clear Chartreuse

Primary Lipless Baits... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad

-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: RT Scale Minnow, RT Escape Craw, Ghost Minnow

Little Lipless... 

-Jackall TN-50: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: SG Threadfin, RT Scale Minnow, Sprinkle Wakasagi

Budget Lipless... 

-Bill Lewis Rattle Trap 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2gm8CjC 

Colors: Cali Craw, Ghost Minnow, American Shad

-Cotton Cordell Super Spot: http://bit.ly/2y3K210

Colors: royal Red, Chrome Black, Chrome Blue

Crankbait Storage... 

-Plano Edge 3700 Deep Box: https://bit.ly/3dbdbby

Our Favorite Lipless/Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock Leader 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Mid-Priced Lipless Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Reel- Shimano SLX XT XG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Lipless Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 705 CB (7' Med Heavy Cranking): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Previous Buyer's Guides... 

-Best Jigs and Trailers: https://bit.ly/38cc8XX

-Tackle Storage and Gear Protection: https://bit.ly/2IF0kVf

-Best Jerkbaits: https://bit.ly/3qPPOLY

-Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits: https://bit.ly/2Lj4hjk

-Dropshot: https://bit.ly/2KgBr2w

-Craws and Creatures: https://bit.ly/3lU4vLe

-Best Ned Rig Baits and Gear: https://bit.ly/3fo75GV

-Deep Diving Crankbaits: https://bit.ly/3kXuH6h

-Big Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/395vTT6

-High End Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/35PNOeu

-$500 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/3lW1o5I

-$400 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/3lSfwwz

-$200 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/2USSCJv

-$100 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/37aupED

Buyer's Guide: Deep Diving Crankbaits For Winter And Summer Bass Fishing

Which crankbaits catch the most fish? With thousands of crankbaits to choose from, which baits are worth trying? Today we've gathered our top picks for Summer Time Cranking and our top picks for Winter Time Cranking, and combined them into the ultimate Crankbait Buyer's Guide. No need to second guess this year, these baits have stood the test of time!

When most anglers think of deep cranking they think of summer ledge fishing and Fall feeding frenzies. While there has been a huge swing in the past year toward Winter time cranking, many anglers still don't realize its full potential. Armed with the right baits, Winter cranking can produce the biggest bass of the entire year! 

Today's video has been separated into two categories so you don't confuse the right baits for Summer with the right baits for Winter. You'll find links to all of the baits (in the order they appeared in the video) along with rod and reel recommendations. All of the baits go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

In-Depth Winter Crankbait Video: https://youtu.be/FPaL13899uc

Previous Buyer's Guides... 

-Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/395vTT6

-High End Combos: https://bit.ly/35PNOeu

-$500 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lW1o5I

-$400 Combos: https://bit.ly/3lSfwwz

-$200 Combos: https://bit.ly/2USSCJv

-$100 Combos: https://bit.ly/37aupED

Warm Water Baits... 

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

Favorite Colors: Sexy Blue Back Herring, Summer Sexy Shad

-Berkley Dredger 25.5: http://bit.ly/2I8xOcA

Favorite Colors: Irish Gold, Honey Shad

-Strike King 10 XD: http://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Favorite Colors: Sexy BlueBack Herring, Powder Blue Chartreuse

-Azuma Z Boss 22 and 24: http://bit.ly/2poLKUC

Favorite Colors: Grand Shad, Ol Blue

-Megabass Big M 7.5: https://bit.ly/2yHmm4R

Favorite Colors: Jukucho Shad, MB Gizzard

Cold Water Baits... 

-R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Favorite Colors: Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow

-Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

Favorite Colors: MB Gizzard, Ito Wakasagi

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Favorite Colors: MB Gizzard, Megabass Sexy Shad

-Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

Favorite Colors: Phantom Green, Mud Bug, Ozark Craw

All-Around Crankbait Rod... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'6" MH Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Tranx 200 HG: http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Crankbait Rod... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'6" MH Glass: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX XT HG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Winter Speed Cranking Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Catch Fish Every Time! How To Speed Crank For Bass Right Now!

This is THE BEST technique to consistently catch fish in the Fall and Winter. Over the past few years we've dialed in our crankbait fishing and developed a style we call "speed cranking". It requires specialized baits (We even designed our own specifically for the technique), high-speed reels, and a very unique cadence with the retrieve. Done correctly, it produces incredible results all around the country throughout the Fall and Winter. 

Today we're demonstrating the technique on Dale Hollow Lake on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. This world-renowned lake is home to the world record smallmouth but is also a great largemouth and spotted bass fishery. Before we even left the marina we were catching bass on the crankbait. Throughout the day we found success using a high speed retrieve with aggressive pauses. We caught fish on both the Tactical Crankbait and the Rock Crawler with our best results split between outside grass lines and deep rock points. 

The Bait We Designed... 

-River2Sea Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

There are a handful of lures that are capable of triggering a feed response in bass when they're not in a feeding mood. The jerkbait, Speed Cranking a deep diving crankbait, and an Alabama Rig are all great methods to trigger a bass but of these, the crankbait is the most predictable around the country. Whether you're looking for a GIANT largemouth, a world-class Smallmouth, or a trophy Spotted Bass, it can be done by speeding up your retrieve, mixing up cadence, and choosing a bait with the right vibration. 

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment we use for speed cranking. First is today's baits and specific colors used, then we separated all of the baits by category and included very specific color recommendations that you can rely on to get bit. We've also included the exact gear we use so you're prepared when the right bite comes and even added in budget-minded alternatives that will help you land these crankbait fish without breaking the bank. The links go direct to Tackle warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Today's Baits... 

-Spro RkCrawler 55 (Phantom Green, Red Crawfish): http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

-R2S Tactical DD 75 (Green Pumpkin Craw): http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Cranks For Primarily Baitfish Eaters... 

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

-Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

-R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Cranks For Primarily Crawfish Eaters... 

-Spro RkCrawler 55 MD (Shallower): https://bit.ly/3juD6hS

-Spro RkCrawler 55 (Deeper): http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

-Teckel Drunker: http://bit.ly/2xryClV

-R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Consistent Shad Colors... 

Deep X 300: MB Gizzard, Sexy Ayu, Sexy Shad

Deep Six: Ito Wakasagi, MB Gizzard, Sexy Shad

Tactical DD: Ghost Minnow, Glass Minnow, Mirrored Minnow

Consistent Craw Colors... 

RkCrawler: Phantom Brown, Phantom Green, Red River Craw

Drunker: Phantom Green Craw, Phantom Brown Craw, Phantom Red

Tactical DD: Green Pumpkin Craw, Blood Craw

Hook and Hardware Upgrades... 

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire (Size 3): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Light Wire Hook- Gamakatsu EWG: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Heavy Wire Hook- Owner ST-56: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Hook Sizes... 

Size 2: Deep Six

Size 4: Deep X 300, Tactical DD

Size 6: Drunker, RkCrawler

Braided Line Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Fluorocarbon Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Low Budget Combo... 

Rod- St Croix Bass X 7'2" MH Moderate: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Other Budget Rods... 

Dobyns- Fury 7' Medium Heavy Crankbait: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Shimano- SLX 7' Medium Glass (Pre-Order Available): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Daiwa- Tatula XT 7' Medium Glass: http://bit.ly/2FXhNpO

Falcon- Lowrider 7'6" Medium Heavy Moderate: https://bit.ly/3negdkY

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Lipless Crankbait Tricks To Catch Bigger Bass This Fall

Lipless crankbaits catch giant bass! They are incredible producers when fished around shallow grass and vegetation but are equally effective in deep water. You can keep your lipless fishing simple and you'll catch a lot of fish this Fall, or you can jump down the rabbit hole with us into a whole different world of lipless fishing where we'll teach you how to use different baits, styles, and modifications to catch more fish!

Many anglers think of a lipless as a bait to cast out and wind back. A simple "chuck and wind" is effective but there is so much more you can do with these baits. From hopping bottom in deep water, to ripping grass in the shallows, the possibilities are almost endless. Tim is a lipless fanatic with the fish catches to back what he's teaching. If you want to take it to the next level, pay close attention to the details. From sink rates to color selection to hook tricks, Tim is giving away all the details in today's video. 

All of the baits described in the video are linked below. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've included our favorite colors, the equipment we use to throw them, and the hook and gear upgrades we use to land more of the fish we hook. 

If you could only have one... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Color: American Shad

Lipless Cranks... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Favorite Colors: American Shad, Ghost Minnow, Spring Craw

-6th Sense Quake 70: http://bit.ly/2Kxt4zm

Favorite Colors: Chrome Threadfin, Shad Hammer, Delta Craw

-Jackall TN-70 + TN-50: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Favorite Colors: Super Shad, SG Threadfin, RT Escape Craw

-Strike King Red Eye shad 2 Tap: http://bit.ly/2gmACC5

Favorite Colors: Delta Red, Silver TN Shad, Smoky Chrome Blue

-Damiki Tremor: http://bit.ly/2fVt8H6

Favorite Colors: American Shad, Black Holo, Soft Shell

-Cotton Cordell Super Spot: http://bit.ly/2y3K210

Favorite Colors: Chrome Blue, Royal Red, Copper Craw

Blade Baits... 

-Damiki Vault: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Favorite Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad

-Jackal Keeburn: http://bit.ly/2or8sy0

Favorite Colors: Clear Shad, Silver

Hook and Hardware Upgrades... 

Gamakatsu EWG (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Owner ST-56 (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Owner Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 3-4): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Owner STX-38 Zo Wire (Size 6-8): http://bit.ly/2oNIeCD

Our Favorite Lipless Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Affordable Lipless Combo…

Rod- G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Lipless Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 705 CB (7' Med Heavy Cranking): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G