Just getting into blade baits — what are your go-to favorites or must-have brands/models? I’ll be fishing mostly 15 feet or shallower, so I’m looking for ones that work especially well in that range. Appreciate the help!

I've always loved the Damiki Vaults. I upgrade the hardware with a decoy egg snap, owner split rings, and slightly smaller but sharper hooks (usually the Gamakatsu nano finesse trebles). 

Big fan of the Vaults, too. Really nice baits after some mods. Also a fan of the Johnson Thinfisher in the smallest size, but that is more a specialized thing for shallow water.

Vault.  I don't modify at all.  1/2 oz vault has accounted for over 50 lmb in just the last 3 days.  (Surface temps 43.  But nearly all bit off bottom in 26-30 FOW.)

IMO, Johnson Thinfisher in 3/16 is a better bait than the bigger weights.  It starts up really fast, allowing me to use short strong pull and drops that trigger strikes.

 

Another one that I like is the Reef Runner Cicada.  The thump is different than other baits.  FYI, the stock hooks on the cicada suck. 

 

I am with you, Montana.  I have a buddy that makes 1/2 to 1 oz. on a 3.5" blank, although i don't usually fish in water deeper than 20'.

8 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

Damiki Vaults

 These ^^^^ and the good OLD fashioned Binsky.

 

Cape Cod smallies  prefer the Damiki in gold/black w/orange stripe on the bottom.

 

I'll modify them with heavier hooks 'as needed'.

 

@Saltysmalljaws should chime in.  He's Cape Cod's #1 blade bait assassin.