What sizes are used most with cranks, jerkbaits, topwater, etc..?  Also what brands do yall prefer?

I'm not exactly sure on the sizes but I've always been 100% satisfied with Owner or Spro rings.

Most crankbaits use a 4101 stainless split ring in size 3 (25lb.) 4 (30lb.) or 5(40lb.) There are many exceptions of course, but these are very commonly used and strong. Size 2 (20lb.) are common on smaller lures.

 

4111 is another option, although unnecessary IMHO for LMB (but it's cheap insurance.) I'm sure Owner and Spro manufacture (??) fine split rings, but 30¢ to $1 a piece sounds crazy to me. I'm assuming that they use 4111 stainless which widely available for far less than what they charge. The 4101 stainless is Moly steel... you could probably land a 50lb. fish on a 10lb. ring as long as you have your drag set properly. 

 

If it were me, I would order them in bulk from Lure Parts Online or Jann's (about 5-13¢ ea., depending on whether you go with 4101 or 4111.) You will get far more bang for your buck, and you won't be disappointed with the quality of these rings. Or you could buy them at BPS or a tackle shop and get them for 8x the price. One last thing... if anybody tells you that you need something stronger than 4111 stainless for a bass split ring, they're lying.

For me, I really look for a split ring that will fit onto the crank and allow it to swing freely on the crank as well as the hook. I have a chart somewhere on this computer that I use as a guide and If I can dig it up I will post it. The split ring on the chart is basically matched up to the treble hook eye, but generally not to the hanger on the crank. That's basically why I use it as a guide, for me, it's just a starting point.