Hey guys! I justs had a quick question: when is it better to use a crankbait over a swim bait or vise versa( conditions)

Bigger fish on a swimbait.

 

Crankbaits are searc baits and are usually smaller than a swim bait unless you are using a jumbo deep diver.

 

Need heavier gear for a swimbait.

 

Crankbaits have many styles and colors.

 

Swimbaits are usually silver.

 

You catch more on a crankbait but you catch the bigger ones on a swimbait.

What he said....

I'll use cranks around wood and rocks or sandy bottom where I can deflect them off of something.  The other time I'll use them is when I want to stop my retrieve and not have the lure fall. Some cranks will rise fairly slow and not at all on a short pause. 

Swimbaits  work best for me for targeting weeds and suspended fish and it's mainly a shallow water presentation.

Never!!!

I like swimbaits around weeds or for bass that see lots of cranks. One of the lakes I fish a lot it's almost impossible to get a crankbait bite but they'll smash a swimbait. Swimbaits seem to be more effective in clear water because of the realism of the bait also. Crankbaits tend to work better in muddy water because you can get them in bright, reflective colors and with loud rattles in them. 

Swimbaits cover wide range of sizes, I've caught many a nice fish on lighter soft plastic ones.  I personally have no interest in using a heavy one that would require me to use a larger rod for bass.  My largest bass probably have been caught either on a top water popper or a jig and trailer.

Aren't cranks also effective around weeds?