I don't mind paying good money for a similar balsa crankbait to the Dave's custom 1.5 and 2.5 but just can't justify $50 dollar each. Trying to get as close as possible

Just a balsa squarebill? The rapala BX brat is a balsa with a plastic shell. $10 a piece. They catch fish pretty good

26 minutes ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

I don't mind paying good money for a similar balsa crankbait to the Dave's custom 1.5 and 2.5 but just can't justify $50 dollar each. Trying to get as close as possible

PH Custom Lures.

Bagley ?

40 minutes ago, Tackleholic said:

PH Custom Lures.

Which ones would be the close? To the 1.5 and 2.5

 

@Catt which ones and do they go the same depth I think I see they go to 0-3

I'm still a Balsa B fan

2" 7/16 oz 5-6'

There's a shallow Sunny B

2" 3/8 oz 3-4'

 

Black Label.  Cliff Pace purchased Ed Chambers (WEC) balsa duplicaters (made by Lee Sisson) and started Black Label baits.  They are great baits for $17.99.  Wood Bait Country has several quality bait makers you can check out, and they give detailed descriptions of how the baits run.  They carry the Black Label 'signature series' ($19.99), which are the same models with a higher-end paint job.

 

https://www.woodbaitcountry.com/

What about the new OG Rocco?

 

Isn't it a balsa with a square bill?

^ Yep - Rocco is a Balsa Squarebill

 

"The Rapala® OG Rocco™ is a buoyant, round balsa bait with a square circuit board lip. "

https://www.rapala.com/us_en/og-rocco

A few years ago I got a couple PH custom cranks and really like them.  I dont have any experience with Daves Customs, but PH makes so many different options, they likely have something similar.

I have used both PH Custom and Black Label Baits square bill Crankbaits and they both make out standing lures.  

 

I have been using Bagley's balsa crankbaits since they first came out in the 1970's and still do so. I use the BB1, BB2 for shallow water and the DB1 and DB2 for deeper water. 

 

I also have a few Black Label crankbaits and have found them to be productive also.

Rapala dt fat. Two depths, great size. Very buoyant and deflect well. Wider action so a warmer water lure for me. 

Black Label.  Cliff Pace bought Ed Chambers old duplicators when he passed. Ed owned Zoom and WEC Balsa baits. 

The WEC's bring big money these days if you can find one.  The Black label is reasonably priced with good paint and they hunt really well.

@rangerjockeywhat are your favorite colors?

 

@Cattdo you think the new ones work just as well as the old ones?

47 minutes ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

you think the new ones work just as well as the old ones?

 

Nope! But they still catch as good as any.

 

Y'all need to look into these, ya might change your mind.

 

6th Sense Axis Metal 2.0 Crankbait

On 9/6/2023 at 5:58 AM, LrgmouthShad said:

Just a balsa squarebill? The rapala BX brat is a balsa with a plastic shell. $10 a piece. They catch fish pretty good

Amazing square bills, in my opinion best on the market. They have the action of balsa but the toughness of hard plastic. Another good one by Rapala is the Rocco. These are the only two square bills that are in my boat besides some strike kings that I've found. Hope this helps.

 

Benjamin

6 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

@rangerjockeywhat are your favorite colors?

 

@Cattdo you think the new ones work just as well as the old ones?

I'm on Table Rock so any shad pattern, I don't think they are too picky. He has a version of citrus shad I like and the ol' chartreuse/black back in dirty water.