I am just starting to get into crainkbait fishing. I am looking for a few lures that are considered the top crainkbaits to through, and preferably at either GM or Cabelas (the local stores here in MN). I would like a shollow, medium, and deep diver in a natural color like bass or bluegill which those matching the environment in the MN lakes. 

Also i was looking at the Cabelas dig-it crainks has anyone used these?

Bandit 100s and 200s

Chartreuse with blue back.

Shad colors, be they Tennessee, Louisiana, etc.

Root Beer

Fire Tiger

Have fun. 

I use others but favor the Rapala DT series

    T

Best all around crankbaits are Bandits.

Bandit 100, 200, and 300. I also like Strike King series 1 and series 3. Good baits that won't break the bank.

rapalas and bandits are great.

rapala DT

I'm a big fan of anything Norman, especially their DD series. The DD22 & DD14 have always been a solid crankbaits up at Lake Itasca & Elk Lake in Itasca State Park.

But you can't go wrong with anything Rapala or Bandit.

What colors should i start looking at in the with the Rapalas and Bandits? And remember i do live in MN where the prime bait fish for bass are bluegill

Thanks,

VC

rapala DT

X3..... the dt series are awesome. I probably have 20.

Without knowing the names of the colors off the top of my head I would go with anything in a bluegill, sunfish or perch pattern.  The Norman perch pattern is what I always did good with up in MN.

Without knowing the names of the colors off the top of my head I would go with anything in a bluegill, sunfish or perch pattern. The Norman perch pattern is what I always did good with up in MN.

Is there any particular time when i should think about using a more flashy chartreuse color?

Bandits and Rapala DT are my favorite cranks.  The bluegill color DT 10 is the best producing color in my box I have 2 in each size from DT 4 -16.

Sure, when the fish are biting that color.  Seriously though, it's hard to go wrong with chartreuse.  I've never had great luck up there with a solid chartreuse but rather chartreuse with purple/blue/green top.  Also I prefer to use chartreuse with the deeper diving crankbaits where the light doesn't penetrate as well.  When fishing in more shallow water, given the water is clear, I'll always go with a more realistic pattern.  As well make sure your hitting something with the crankbait.  You'll catch fish with a steady retrieve but you'll up that alot if your bumping your bait into something.  Hope this helps.

Sure, when the fish are biting that color. Seriously though, it's hard to go wrong with chartreuse. I've never had great luck up there with a solid chartreuse but rather chartreuse with purple/blue/green top. Also I prefer to use chartreuse with the deeper diving crankbaits where the light doesn't penetrate as well. When fishing in more shallow water, given the water is clear, I'll always go with a more realistic pattern. As well make sure your hitting something with the crankbait. You'll catch fish with a steady retrieve but you'll up that alot if your bumping your bait into something. Hope this helps.

Thanks this really helps!

If your looking for a good crankbait try Lucky Craft. They may be expensive but the action on them is amazing and they are made out of really high quality materials. Also Rapala DT's are great crankbaits and cheaper.

Also don't pass up using a lipless crankbait. Many of the lakes up there have pretty thick submerged grass & a lipless crankbait is much easier to fish in that stuff then a billed crankbait that keeps digging straight down & getting tangled up.  For me the only time I use a billed crankbait in submerged grass is if I know that my baits running depth is right at the top of the grass.

My favorite is the rapala DT 6 in bluegill pattern. I do have a couple of dig-its from cabelas that have been productive as well. One is the baby bass pattern that has helped catch many fish, from bass to crappies. Surprisingly good little bait for the dollar I paid for it. ;D

fwiw i have fished bandits and rapalas and the like and they are grea! but right now im into the strike king series cranks. thye are pretty good and have good hooks and probably most importantly you can get them for 3.99. any size.

I have a friend who does very well with the Cabela baits. From what I have seen of them they are about the same quality as Bandits.

If the main forage is bluegill, you should definitely consider the Koppers Live Target baits.  They are the best I've seen at mimicking color, size, and action.

rapala DT

I never caught any bass on crankbaits until the Rapala DTs came out.  After that, it was lights out for about 4 months while I fished/learned them.  Great crankbait lure!  I love me some DTs!!

I like Bomber's, personally.

I have my best luck with lipless cranks in natural hues, like olive, gold, silver, etc.

Trying to match your local panfish is a good trick at times.  One of my local lakes has bass that sometimes key on small crappies, so I toss similar colored cranks, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, etc.

all my strike king cranks run true out of box. like bombers too