i've never caught a fish on a crankbait, but for some reason i bought 5 of them recently: 2 Bombers, a Rebel, and 2 different sizes of KVD squarebills. I usually fish early morning from about 5-9. is there a particular time of day they work best?

They work anytime really you just need the right crank for the job, If bass are in the mood to chase they can be killer but even if they aren't use it as a reaction bait putting it right in front of their face to get the strike. Just get the crank where the bass are and it will produce!

Color,  natural for clear water conditions fished faster.

            Brighter colors for stained water conditions fished slower.

            Brightest color for muddy waters fished the slowest.

 

Having a rattle and a bass scent is a plus. The bomber cranks in size 05 in about 2" long. The square A is a good place to start. Matching the craw colors to your area draws is your best bet in clear water. In stained to muddy water the citrus, chartreuse colors are hot. The normal colors are redapplecraw,  Brown craw,  green craw,  baby bass orange bottom, shad color etc.

I think i did ok covering different water conditions color wise then. I have a white/chartreuse back, a red craw, a chartreuse/ black back, a neon bluegill, and a firetiger for really muddy conditions.

Also, sorry to the mods if this was covered. i skimmed the crankbait threads in the best of, didn't really see time of day mentioned

Learn as you go brother. I'm a color freak. I try to use what goes with the different water conditions.

Again on a slow day throw chartreuse/firetiger.

I was fishing casting and used most of my lures. I was into practicing my different presentations on a slow day. The water looked slightly stained to clear at the shoreline. But farther out I'm not sure the condition. I put on a firetiger and caught bass. I changed to a chartreuse and caught bass. I'm still learning.