Best Crankbaits for Bass Fishing (2024)
Crankbaits cover water efficiently, trigger reaction strikes from fish that won't bite slower presentations, and are among the best lures for locating and catching bass on new water. Understanding the depth range of different crankbait designs and when to use each transforms your crankbait fishing. We've fished these extensively in CT lakes and rivers.
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Rapala DT-6
Best shallow-to-medium crankbaitThe Rapala DT (Dives-To) series gives you precise depth control — the DT-6 reliably reaches 6 feet, the DT-10 reaches 10, etc. The balsa construction provides the natural, subtle action that CT bass in clear water respond to. The slow float-up pause behavior (balsa floats up immediately on a pause; plastic sinks slowly) creates a different presentation than plastic alternatives. For fishing the outside edge of CT weed beds in 4–8 feet, the DT-6 is ideal. Crawdad and natural shad colors work throughout the CT season.
Strike King Series 6XD
Best deep-diving crankbaitThe Series 6XD is the go-to deep-diving crankbait on the tournament circuit for good reason — it reaches 20+ feet on a long cast with 10–12 lb fluorocarbon, and the built-in roll on bottom contact gives it a fleeing crawdad action that triggers strikes from summer bass holding on main-lake structure. For midsummer CT fishing when bass have moved deep, cranking a 6XD along main-lake rocky points in 12–18 feet is highly effective. Requires distance casting and a baitcasting outfit for proper technique.
Norman DD22
Best value medium-depth crankbaitThe Norman DD22 is a legendary budget crankbait with a faithful following among bass anglers. The 10–12 foot dive range is perfect for summer CT bass on secondary points, dock edges, and channel edges where fish are sitting in 8–12 feet. The deflection off rocks and stumps creates triggering moments that can produce strikes from reluctant fish. At under $7, losing one to a snag is much less painful than losing a $15 crankbait.
Buying Guide
**Crankbait Depth Ranges and When to Use Each**
**Shallow Crankbaits (0–5 feet)** Use when: Spring on flats, fall baitfish pattern on shallow flats, weed edge fishing in 2–4 feet, early morning in summer Reel speed: Moderate to fast retrieve Key technique: Make contact with any structure you can find — deflections off rocks, brush, and weeds trigger strikes
**Medium Crankbaits (5–12 feet)** Use when: Summer transition on dock edges and points in 6–10 feet, fall fishing on secondary points, early morning and late evening in 8-10 foot zones Reel speed: Medium retrieve Key technique: Slow down through bottom contact zones; let the lure crawl over rocks and stumps
**Deep Crankbaits (12–25 feet)** Use when: Midsummer main-lake points in 12–20 feet, late spring bass moving off spawning flats to summer structure Reel speed: Slow-medium (faster removes the lure from the productive depth range) Key technique: Long casts with 10–14 lb fluorocarbon on baitcasting gear; slow the retrieve to maintain maximum depth
**Color Selection** Clear water: Natural shad (silver/white), perch/bluegill patterns, crawdad colors Stained/tinted water: Chartreuse/blue, fire tiger, red craw Dark/muddy water: Bright chartreuse, red, bold contrast colors Spring: Crawdad patterns (bass are keyed on crayfish activity) Summer/fall: Shad/baitfish patterns (bass are following shad)
**Hook Upgrades** Factory treble hooks on budget crankbaits are often low quality. Replacing with VMC or Mustad treble hooks (same size as original) improves hook-up percentage, especially for long-distance hooksets.
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