Living in MN it is tough to fish crainkbaits because of the weeds, but i want to give it another shot this year. I decided to get a range of crankbaits that will give me the best opportunity to catch fish without buying crainks that wont produce.

So here is where you guys can help. Right now i have a Rapala DT (0-10' depth) in bluegill. Where should i go from here? Should i get a natural and a brighter color in each depth? If so what colors would you recommend here in MN

Thanks,

VC

id buy Bandit baits to start with. they work well and are cheap.

2 good baits right there.

id buy Bandit baits to start with. they work well and are cheap.

2 good baits right there.

Do you find it necessary to purchase all the depths?

Manns Baby 1- (grey ghost and blk gold)

Bandit 200 (Some kind of shad and something with chart)

The Rapala DT 10 would be the deepest I go. I'm not into deep crankin.

Bomber fat free shad

Strike king cranks

Cotton cordell super spots

Strike king redeye shads

Rat L Traps

I would have to agree with backwater. I'm not much into deep crankin' also. I have a couple that run to about 14', but none deeper than that. If you are just starting your collection, I would recommend getting two different colors in each range. One dark and one light/flashy.

I'm also not into lipless cranks. I just can't seem to find any kind of "rhythm" with them. 

Cotton Cordell's Big- O

Crankbaits:

0-2' Bomber Square A, Norman Fat Boy, Mann's -1

2-4' Bagley BII, Rick Clunn 2.5 & 3.5

4-6' Sebile Flat Shad 77, Rapala DT-6, Wiggle Wart, Bandit 200

5-10' XCalibur Xr50, Lucky Craft LV-300, Bomber Fat Free Shad

10-15' Lucky Craft LV-Max-500, Yo-Zuri Rattl'N Vibe, Rapala DT-12

15-20' Norman DD22, Mann's 20+, Rapala DT-16 & 20

Deep: Mann's 25+

All companies make useful stuff. It helps to use wider bodied/wider billed models, but it's as much in how you fish them than the particular plug. It' possible to fish narrower plugs and lipless around, in, and through vegetation too.

Here's something I posted last summer on cranking weeds:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1248500205/0

Shad Raps.

#5's and #7's.

Shad Raps. 

I've had pretty good luck with Storm's SubWart too. Usually firetiger.

Do like the rest of us......buy every color of every depth from every company!!! 

Everyone has posted baits that really produce. I would try a few different styles to start. Find what works for you and the type of water you fish. You can add more colors as you go.

It doesn't really matter though, because when you start lookin, the bait monkeys gonna get ya!!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

id buy Bandit baits to start with. they work well and are cheap.

2 good baits right there.

Do you find it necessary to purchase all the depths?

nope. id buy the 200 series to start, then as it gets hot buy the 300 series.

Vinny I live in Michigan and I fish a lot of weedy natural lakes with clear water and I can't imagine the fishing is that much different in Minnesota. Other than matted grass there is a crankbait available for almost every situation and don't overlook the fish on the outside weedlines with deep diving cranks. Also, grass unless it's too thick is a major plus, I catch a lot a fish ripping these baits off the weeds. I'm going to suggest some average priced cranks to build your arsenal and later if cranks become a priority bait then you can add custom wood baits and certain japanese baits if your looking to expand your selection.

Regarding color these are a few that I like to have in most baits that I use. I would suggest some shad type of patterns even in lakes that don't have shad due to the fact that a lot of the baitfish will have similiar colors and that it just plain works. Firetiger/ Chartreuse Blue work good in stained water but surprisingly produce well at times in clear water lakes. Various craw colors are productive especially in spring or when dredging the bottom. Also, don't overlook tranluscent ghost type of patterns which in my opinion is essential if you fish a lot of clear water. Last but not least Baby Bass & Bluegill patterns will be productive as well.

Here are some cranks that I like that can cover various parts of the water column...

Lipless- 1/4, 1/2 (the most used size) & 3/4 oz.

Strike King Red Eye shads would be a great choice if I could only pick one, Cordell Spots are very inexpensive but are also very productive and would be another good one to get started with. You probably already are aware that they are a sinking bait and are especially deadly in the spring and the fall when the water temp is between 48 - 59 degrees but will certainly work in the summer or even colder water.

Mann's Baby 1 minus- Keep your rod up high you can nearly wake these baits or a little lower it will run up to 1 foot deep. Awesome bait when in skinny water or when the grass is close to the surface.

Rapala #5 & #7 Shad Raps- this will work better on a spinning rod with light line. Very subtle wood bait that doesn't rattle, can work anytime but I especially like these baits when the water temp is under 60.

Norman Fat Boy- every crank fisherman needs a few square bill baits and this is a good one. Square bills are good for deflecting off of wood cover but also work in grass when you want a little more thump in the bait

Rapala DT 6 & DT 10- as the name implies the DT 6 runs app 6' deep and the DT10 app 10' deep.

Storm Wiggle Warts- These are fantastic cranks, I especially like them in craw colors, an absolute must have for any crankbait fisherman.

Strike King Series 1XS- another good shallow crank a little tighter wiggle than the baby 1 minus

Strike King Series 5- this has won KVD a lot money, good inepensive bait for that 10-13' range.

Bomber Fat Free Shad JR. -good bait for that 10--14' range

Bomber Fat Free Fry- small crank bait for the 4'-6' range

Bandit 700 series & Norman DD 22- great baits for fishing up to 14-18' range

Keep in mind most of these baits run app 5-8$, but if you look for sales you can often pick up some of these models for a lot less at times, when that happens load up.

Vinny I live in Michigan and I fish a lot of weedy natural lakes with clear water and I can't imagine the fishing is that much different in Minnesota. Other than matted grass there is a crankbait available for almost every situation and don't overlook the fish on the outside weedlines with deep diving cranks. Also, grass unless it's too thick is a major plus, I catch a lot a fish ripping these baits off the weeds. I'm going to suggest some average priced cranks to build your arsenal and later if cranks become a priority bait then you can add custom wood baits and certain japanese baits if your looking to expand your selection.

Regarding color these are a few that I like to have in most baits that I use. I would suggest some shad type of patterns even in lakes that don't have shad due to the fact that a lot of the baitfish will have similiar colors and that it just plain works. Firetiger/ Chartreuse Blue work good in stained water but surprisingly produce well at times in clear water lakes. Various craw colors are productive especially in spring or when dredging the bottom. Also, don't overlook tranluscent ghost type of patterns which in my opinion is essential if you fish a lot of clear water. Last but not least Baby Bass & Bluegill patterns will be productive as well.

Here are some cranks that I like that can cover various parts of the water column...

Lipless- 1/4, 1/2 (the most used size) & 3/4 oz.

Strike King Red Eye shads would be a great choice if I could only pick one, Cordell Spots are very inexpensive but are also very productive and would be another good one to get started with. You probably already are aware that they are a sinking bait and are especially deadly in the spring and the fall when the water temp is between 48 - 59 degrees but will certainly work in the summer or even colder water.

Mann's Baby 1 minus- Keep your rod up high you can nearly wake these baits or a little lower it will run up to 1 foot deep. Awesome bait when in skinny water or when the grass is close to the surface.

Rapala #5 & #7 Shad Raps- this will work better on a spinning rod with light line. Very subtle wood bait that doesn't rattle, can work anytime but I especially like these baits when the water temp is under 60.

Norman Fat Boy- every crank fisherman needs a few square bill baits and this is a good one. Square bills are good for deflecting off of wood cover but also work in grass when you want a little more thump in the bait

Rapala DT 6 & DT 10- as the name implies the DT 6 runs app 6' deep and the DT10 app 10' deep.

Storm Wiggle Warts- These are fantastic cranks, I especially like them in craw colors, an absolute must have for any crankbait fisherman.

Strike King Series 1XS- another good shallow crank a little tighter wiggle than the baby 1 minus

Strike King Series 5- this has won KVD a lot money, good inepensive bait for that 10-13' range.

Bomber Fat Free Shad JR. -good bait for that 10--14' range

Bomber Fat Free Fry- small crank bait for the 4'-6' range

Bandit 700 series & Norman DD 22- great baits for fishing up to 14-18' range

Keep in mind most of these baits run app 5-8$, but if you look for sales you can often pick up some of these models for a lot less at times, when that happens load up.

Thanks so much!

Today i got:

Rapala DT - Bluegill

Bomber free shad (chartreuse/blue 6'-8')

Cotten Cordell Big 0- shad

Spro surface bait in a cool lime color

I think im good for now at least. I also LOADED up on Cotten Cordell lipless baits (silver shad, red craw, bass, lime chartreuse) 

Good choices. Looks like you've got a good start.

Try hand-crafted balsa cranks. More expensive but well worth it.