1. Xcalibur XCS 100

2. Luck-E-Strike RC 3

3. LC 1.5

4.SK KVD 1.5

Not really in order. Want to try out the Jackall Askas and Lucky Craft BDS 2&3's this year.

Rapala DT Fat 3.

 

Bomber Square "A" (3/8oz).

 

Storm Arashi (3&5).

 

Bagley Rattling Killer B2.

 

Manns Baby X.

 

I have a bunch more that are situational baits, like the KVD 1.5, I use those specifically for deeper rip rap, 4' to 5' as they go a little deeper than other square bills. The Storm Arashi is very new yet, 2 seasons of use but I will use the 5 in water that is 2.5' to 3' deep because it really does a good job of righting itself after blowing out right or left. I'll also add that there are times when the Arashi took a bit to right itself but for the most part it does it right away.  The Xcalibur XCS 100 and 200 are also very good but situational, I tend to use the 200 series when fish are really active, it seems to draw bigger fish on average, and the 100 size for me is all in the real craw series, I use those on rock flats in mid spring and mid fall, that is when they seem to work the best.  The one bait I could have included is the Cotton Cordell Big-O, I didn't because I've been putting the Rattlin Killer B2 from Bagley to the test this season and it has performed really well. It is Bagleys new line of hard plastic baits and it has a rattle in it but it is very subtle, I have done well with it in clear water where I normally will use a silent bait, but this one has just enough I believe and the fish have responded to it.

Lucky Craft & Strike King various models.

Bagley Balsa B & Honey B

Poe's RC1

Fred Young's Big O

Bill Norman's Little N, Fat Boy, & Flat Broke

Opps! That's 7

A genuine Fred Young or a Cordell ?

KVD 1.0's, 1.5's and 2.5's are by far the best I have used. Particularly the 1.5's. A lot of people hate on the 1.0's but I've had a lot of success with them. I have 3 or 4 Lucky Craft squarebills that I haven't used yet though, and I'm looking forward to trying them out soon.

#1 - kvd 1.5

#2 - kvd 2.5

#3 - n/a

#4 - n/a

#5 - n/a

Manns and rapalas works for me

What colors would you guys say are essential?! More so for the winter months. 

A genuine Fred Young or a Cordell ?

Hand carved by Fred C Young!

One of the perks of growing up bass fishing Toledo & Rayburn; paid $15 ea in 1973.

KVD 1.5

Luck E Strike Series 3

H2O CRS

LC 1.5 or 2.0

KVD 1.0

Lil john

Fat john

Lc bds 3

Lc magnum 105

Plucked what appears to be a KVD 1.5 in Sexy shad off the side of a floating tree, yesterday. The fact that many of you list it, here, is music to my ears. 

 

 

Update:  Since writing this, I've gone back and looked at it.  Turns out, it's a KVD 2.5, as verified by first hand looking at one at Wallymart.

Strike king 1.0 when the shad are still small

Strike king 1.5 every other time

Strike king 2.5 when I'd like to fish a little deeper

Strike King KVD's in all sizes.

Storm Arashi's in all sizes.

I don't use anything else, so there is no need to list more

 

 

Same here...kinda.  Have yet to use the KVD 8.0, just picked one up yesterday though, i'm sure i'll have more by the spring.

Plucked what appears to be a KVD 1.4 in Sexy shad off the side of a floating tree, yesterday. The fact that many of you list it, here, is music to my ears. 

 

 

 

I've lost so many of them that's probably mine...lol

Same here...kinda.  Have yet to use the KVD 8.0, just picked one up yesterday though, i'm sure i'll have more by the spring.

Yeah.....I have not used the 8.0, and probably won't. But the 1.0. 1.5, and 2.5 are mainstays in my box.

Xcalibur XCS (All 3 Sizes)

KVD (2.5 Mostly)

XPS (All Sizes)

Arishi

STX

Bandit 100

Bandit Flattmax

Xcalibur XCS 200

Are my top three and all get thrown often depending on conditions.

Up and comers for me

Strike King Shallow SB

KVD 1.0

Bill Lewis Echo

Have others I will be trying next year too. As far as the KVD 1.5 and 2.5 and Strike King Series 1, I have only a handful of fish on those baits, not sure why they don't produce for me, it isn't for lack of trying.

First one I ever used was a bomber square A, fire tiger color. It worked really well once, I haven't used it since because of conditions. That's where my vote is.

P.S. With square bills you need to change out hooks often because of lots of rocks and wood bumping against them! I learned my lesson one winter (why I was fishing a square bill in twenty degree weather I don't know) when I actually hooked a fish, only one of the trip, and then lost him a second later

The storm arashi 3 is my most productive.