Started trying and collecting some crankbaits. Has anyone tried the Mimic lures or Catching Concepts Baits? The paint jobs look good.

I have also contacted BIG M to see if I can get some of his beautiful works. Is there others that might be recommended?

The Big M cranks are great. Lucky Craft RC 1.5s are probably my most favorite that I'd suggest for shallow water fishing.

Bomber baits are relatively inexpensive and work well, as are Norman.  Norman DD22 is a staple for deep cranking for me, and @ under $5 they're not bank-breakers.  I have a pile of LC 1.5's and am really happy with them as well.  I also fish the DT series from Rapala a lot.  The DT Thug has been one of my top producing baits this year.

Plastic: Bandit 100 and 200 series

H20 express

Bomber fat free series

Strike King

Norman DD series

   Spro Little John   

Wood: Rapala DT series

Poes

Lee Sisson

-gk

If your looking for custom, handmade baits then I feel Big M is one of the best. You can check out the tackle making section here on BR to get a look at some other members who build and paint baits. Some good looking stuff.

I haven't fished any of the Mimic lures but I have heard lots of good things about them. I know for a while you could get them on ebay for $5 a bait! That's a steal for a handmade bait. I don't know much about the catching concepts baits.

Love the R.C. 1.5 great shallow runners. Bombers are nice to.

just ordered a bunch of mimics off ebay they are supposed to be real nice.. ill let u know when i get them

I have about 10 Catching Concepts cranks and will continue to buy them. They are beautifully painted, and I have yet to recieve a 'clunker'. They are great fish catchers, and unlike a lot of cedar cranks, these have yet to split on me...

Here is a link to the fellow's (I think his name is Herman) Ebay store:

http://shop.ebay.com/catchingconceptslures/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340

My next one is that nice shallow blue/white bait...

Another vote for the Big M cranks!

My favorite crank has to be a black/chrome Big-O

Ive had good luck with the Bomber square A's and Mann's Baby 1 Minus even though it may not have the best paint job it worked fine for me.  I was also lookin to get some Norman Square Billed Wakers because Im always lookin to crank over the grass flats.  Hope this helps!

Normans or Rapala DT's.

What i love about the Rapalas is they keep it simple but effective when it comes to color selection. They also dive more quickly which gives that crank more time in the strike zone.

Normans IMO have the best action out of any crankbait. I think when it comes to Normans its just a confidence thing with me.