Hey guys,

A local pond has a really shallow edge (<2ft) that extends about 15 feet toward the center. I want to hit it with some really shallow crank baits, but I don't know what to look for. What 12" or less diving crank baits are out there, and what do you recommend.

Preferably BPS brand but it doesn't really matter.

Thanks.

Mann's has one it is the Mann's Baby 1-minus series. Bomber has one that dives 0-3 foot it is called the Square A. And Bass Pro makes a Nitro Super Shallow Crank that dives 0-2 foot and they also have a Extreme Shallow Crank that will dive 0-3 hope this helps you out.

Yea, I Have the Square A but that is too deep. I'll take a look at the Mann's and the two BPS ones.

Thanks.

In addition to the Mann's -1 cbait,I also use an Excaliber Swimming Image.It swims about 12-14 inches deep no matter how fast you reel it in.It comes in some realistic looking finishes.My favorite is the Threadfin Shad.

Bandit Footloose.

Lucky Craft MOONSAULT CB-001.

Storm Subwart

I don't fish with crankbaits very often, but I also fish a shallow pond and I just sanded about half the lip of a Rapala Shad Rap and it now dives shallower and it still tracks straight and the action wasn't effected too much. Plus I had a couple hits wilke I was testing it today!

I recently picked up the Bandit Footloose...haven't had it in the water enough to get solid results on it, but it is definitely a very shallow runner.  

I would recommend the Mann's Baby 1-minus. It has a super wide wobble, casts a mile and catches numbers of fish as well as big ones. All the local WalMarts around here carry a nice selection of these cranks. This lure has been especially good to me and ranks right at the top of my favorite crankbait list.

Keep in mind most minnowbaits are going to be very shallow divers. Rapala originals should work great. Also, how deep the crank goes varies a lot in your retrieve. A moderate speed steady retrieve will make it dive deeper than a stop and go twitching retrieve.

i just picked up a few of the bomber balsa bs ,,,, i like them alot ..... i was using 15lb p-line and could wake this bait on a SLOW RETRIVE .... im takling like an inch below ,,, still had a great action .....

I'll throw in another vote for the Mann's 1-.  I love those things.  I killed them last fall on these cranks.  The bass have to be in the mood for that W-I-D-E wobble though.

I've had a circus using the Bandit Footloose  Caught LM, SM, and some bluegills that stunned me with their size.  I throw it on spinning tackle w/10lb line.  It has a very fast wobble.  

I also have some Mann's Baby 1-minus lures.  Those are quite good if you're retrieving through brush/stakebeds/treetops.  I bought a Storm SubWart to try and frankly I don't like it as I can hardly feel the lure on the retrieve.

My favorite subject!!  The Manns Baby 1 minus is a great bait.  Also check out Lucky Crafts RC 1.5 and 2.5.  Also, dont rule out a lipless crankbait.  rattlinrogue mentioned the Heddon/Excalibur Swim n image.  I have caugt more fish on this bait than any other in my box.  I love them.  Very good looking and with a weight of 3/8 oz. they are easy to throw with baitcasting gear.  And i also just got the new Excalibur wake bait which im looking really forward to fishing.  I cant wait to see its action.  Hope this helps.

My PB (largemouth bass) was caught on a Norman Fat Boy, bluegill pattern. Bomber Square A is another suggestion.

The Rapala Original floater is THE best hard bait ever made IMO. There are so many ways to work that bait and it is one of the best fish catchers of all time.

I also vote for the Bandit Footloose, I love it.  I get some monster hits on it.  Also like slow reeling the the Rapala Broken back.

Do I need to say more ?

If you are in to the Wooden cranks, which have much better action and cover deflection most times, I would recommend looking at Catching Concepts' SSC2, which dives very shallow at 0-2 feet and has a great action. That is a great thin-bodied crank. If you are fishing wood and want even more deflection, check out the SB2 series, which is nice and think- and dives 0 to 3 feet.

Ben