Title pretty much says it all. I'm going to try to master the art of crankbaiting this year. I've taken a stab in years past, but just didn't have much confidence in it.

About 3 years ago I bought the KVD Sexy Shad crankbait kit from BPS, and those are pretty much the only cranks I own right now (other than lipless). Most of them other than the Red Eye Shad have seen very little use.

I've got several Red Eye Shads and Rat L Traps, but I need to expand from there.

I'd like to stay with some of the lower priced lures, as I don't believe I can afford taking the plunge with a bunch of $15 cranks.

I'm interested in some of the Strike King models, 5XD and 6XD to mention a few, as deep cranking is my main objective.

If anyone has any adivce as to brands, depths, and colors to get this collection started I would greatly appreciate it.

You can pretty much cover the water column with Strike King cranks. They have good colors, run true and catch tons of fish all at a great price.

Affordable, excellent cranks:

Bandit 100, 200, 300

Rapala DT Series

Strike King KVD Square Bill

Rebel Wee Frog

If money is not an option... Buy Lucky Craft RC 1.5s and 2.5s and anything by Megabass. I love the Megabass Cyclones and Griffons.  Look on Ebay for some older Bagleys KB1s KB2, BB2s and BB3s.

lucky crafts will catch you lots of fish... so will Storm Wiggle Warts!

LC is awesome... Still waiting for a DEPS buzzjet to come in stock.

Affordable, excellent cranks:

Bandit 100, 200, 300

Rapala DT SeriesStrike King KVD Square Bill

Rebel Wee Frog

If money is not an option... Buy Lucky Craft RC 1.5s and 2.5s and anything by Megabass. I love the Megabass Cyclones and Griffons. Look on Ebay for some older Bagleys KB1s KB2, BB2s and BB3s.

I see OP might be in IL, Gander Mountain in Rockford has Rapala DT at 50% off.  I dont know if all GM have same deal but if one is near you go check them out.

oh and Norman DD is pretty much a standard for deep cranks.

An important thing to think about is what kind of water and from where are you fishing. Lake, pond, river, etc.? From bank or boat? I see you live in IL so I'm guessing mostly wood cover and some grass, unless you're planning on traveling. I've fished a few places in IL, Wren, Smithland Pool, and Shelbyville.

Some of my favorite affordable ones:

SK 6 XD

Bomber Fat Free Shad

Bandit 100 and 200

Rapala DT6 and DT16

Rapala Flat DT7 (Rapala's are starting to get pricey)

Strike King square bills (1.5, 2.5) in bluegill.  XCalibur squarebills in bruiser and citrus shad.  You'll be all set.

bandit 100,200, 300

strike king 6xd

number 5,7,and 9 shad raps.

Start with Rapala, for shallow and mid-depths. The Strike King 6XD for deep. I hear good things about the Norman DD22 and the Fat Free Shad, but they never caught me a lot of fish; the 6XD did.

Get two colors for each depth range, light and dark.

Expand from there.

Edit: Try the Rapala Countdown.

Start with Rapala, for shallow and mid-depths. The Strike King 6XD for deep. I hear good things about the Norman DD22 and the Fat Free Shad, but they never caught me a lot of fish; the 6XD did.

Get two colors for each depth range, light and dark.

Expand from there.

Edit: Try the Rapala Countdown.

Really?? :-?

Start with Rapala, for shallow and mid-depths. The Strike King 6XD for deep. I hear good things about the Norman DD22 and the Fat Free Shad, but they never caught me a lot of fish; the 6XD did.

Get two colors for each depth range, light and dark.

Expand from there.

Edit: Try the Rapala Countdown.

Really?? :-?

I've never done any good with DD22's or the biggest Fat Free Shad, traded all mine to another member on here. I do like the Series 5 or 6xd though. With the way Rapala's break and now that they're getting up around $10, I probably won't be buying them anymore.

Start with Rapala, for shallow and mid-depths. The Strike King 6XD for deep. I hear good things about the Norman DD22 and the Fat Free Shad, but they never caught me a lot of fish; the 6XD did.

Get two colors for each depth range, light and dark.

Expand from there.

Edit: Try the Rapala Countdown.

Really?? :-?

I've never done any good with DD22's or the biggest Fat Free Shad, traded all mine to another member on here. I do like the Series 5 or 6xd though. With the way Rapala's break and now that they're getting up around $10, I probably won't be buying them anymore.

PM me if you have any left

Vinny Chase: Yes, they never got me too many strikes. A bad mojo, maybe? IDK. Anyway, different strokes for different folks. I'm happy with the 6XD, and I got confidence in them. Maybe that's the big factor.

Bluebasser86: I believe I'm the one you sent a bunch of Fat Free Shads and DD22s to. I (will) put them to good use. Cranking season hasn't started yet for me

I unashamedly will root for Rapalas. The prices are rising, but most Rapalas are consistent, meaning most suspending baits will suspend, and most DT14s will run at 14 ft and so on. And I almost never pay full retail. Deals are to be had here and there. I also buy a lot of used.

LCs though, are prohibitively expensive for me. But that's just me. If you can afford LCs, forget Rapala. I would, if I could.

Any suggestion on colors?

I'm thinking maybe a clear/shad, red, and yellow for each crank.

Try to match the hatch in your preferred bodies of water. Perch, bream and shad around here.

I use natural colors in clear water, bright colors for stained & a few really dark ones for low light.

Be sure to add a few Shad Raps to your collection. I like the balsa SR7s the best.