Ok I just opened my new bass pro catalog and I was looking at some of the lures. I know these arent knew but I was just wondering if they work. I am talking about the baits that look like grass hoppers but they are cdrank baits. The Cicada type cranks and the ones with the jitterbug bills. Also I saw some crank baits wityh red bills. Have any of you guys used these baits with good success? I am not a crank bait guy but I am curious.

I have several of the "Crickhoppers" in the UL size. I've caught a lot of undersize bass on them, but no keepers. I also have a couple in the larger size, but strangely enough I've never gotten bit on them.

For pure fun, find a bedding area for bluegill or shellcracker and toss one of those UL sized ones in there. I guarantee you you can't get it out of there alive ;D  Black is a killer.  Yellow don't work bad either.

I have always used crankbaits extensively and just about all of them will work. The ones with the Jitterbug bills (Hocus Locust) will undoubtedly work, not because the bass confuses it with a locust, but because it has the gurgling action that appeals to fish, for whatever reason. The same goes for other cranks, which may be shaped like various creatures. They will also work because of built-in action, not because they imitate something.

Of course, the above is my personal opinion, not facts.

My Dad has one of the Hocus Locusts.  It did seem like he got more bites with it in the summer after the locust hatch, but that may have just been coincidence.  I personally thought it was gimmicky, but he  caught a bunch of fish with it, including a couple crappie.  

As far as the red billed rapalas, I have no idea, but you won't find one in my box.

Red bills?  I've got to flip through my catalog, but that definitely sounds like a gimmick.  

Thanks I kinda figured they would get bit just because they wobble through the water. I doublt them looking like grasshoppers helps. I have never seen one swimming through the water. It must be a reaction bite. I dont know about those red billed baits. Maybe that big red bill would trigger strikes?

Either way I am prety sure I wont try them.

The problem I find with lures is that they ALL work.

Now of course some are better than others, but under the right conditons anyone of them could be the "magic" bait for that day.

That's why I have so many.   Too many.  I got freakin lures commin outta my ears!!!!!

that's why I started the "Legacy collection"  

Specifically my two adult children buy me quality hard baits.  Anytiing from LC to custom.  These will be lovingly passed on to them and the grandkids.

Pretty clever idea for a bait junky, don't ya think???   8-)