Ok so its summer time as we all know and ive been eyeing my shallow squarebill and regular crankbaits. Is  it ok to use crankbaits during the summer in MO. If so, what type and what colors based on water conditions. All advice is appreciated!

Where you fishing?

In the stained waters of Northeastern  Missouri crankbaits  work well in summer . I use mostly discontinued baits or ones that have been around for years. Normans , Bombers , Rebels , Rogers , Storm , Rapala.... I usually go for a silent one or a one knocker. Bluegill and shad patterns are good colors . Shallow and medium diving lures get thrown mostly. Normans Deep little N for down to 10 /12  foot is about as deep as I go. Any deeper I switch to lipless cranks . The water is in flood stage at Mark Twain and difficult to fish. Ive been catching a few on a Storm Rattling Thin Fin on flooded brushy points .

Lake of the Ozarks and Truman a few weeks ago we did really well on Chart/Black back KVD square bills. Can never go wrong with a Chart/ Blue back Bandit either.

DD22 on main lake points.

I second the chanteuse black back square bill. I've had a 2.5 tied on the last 2 months.

Crank baits have been slow for me the last month. Try servile every time I go and most of the time I have to put the color-C-lector in the water before I get the right one this year. Buzz bait's have been hot all day most days this year.