Sunday when I do my weekly trip to BPS help me pick out a COUPLE of crankbaits.. I have yet to catch a bass on one so I guess I will keep trying till I do it...I fish almost exclusively ponds, stained water with very little structure and some weeds on the bottom if that helps

now so far for this trip the cavitron is on the list... dark one...

come one.. y'all LOVE to help folks spend money  ;D

AL

Pick up a couple of square bills and KVD sexy shad. I had good results with each this year.  Don't forget to cover shallow, medium, and deep.  

I'll get you started with the Mann's Baby 1 Minus for the upper part of the water color, the Bomber Fat Free series in different sizes to cover diferent depths would give you rasonably priced baits that are proven performers. As far as colors go, a little Chartreuse for staind water, Craw colors (esp. for spring), Shad & Baby Bass colors would be a good start. If your budget allows pick up some Lucky Craft RC series 1.5 size for the 2'-4' depth zone, these baits have been extremely productive for me.

I'll get you started with the Mann's Baby 1 Minus for the upper part of the water color, the Bomber Fat Free series in different sizes to cover diferent depths would give you rasonably priced baits that are proven performers. As far as colors go, a little Chartreuse for staind water, Craw colors (esp. for spring), Shad & Baby Bass colors would be a good start. If your budget allows pick up some Lucky Craft RC series 1.5 size for the 2'-4' depth zone, these baits have been extremely productive for me.

x2 on the Mann's -1 suggestion. I've got a few of them, and they're by far my favorite shallow crank. Suggest you get the Baby -1 Elite Series as well, don't know exactly what's different but they seem to catch more fish. My favorite colors: Aurura Black and Bluegill. I've caught TONS with the Aurora Black just slowly retrieving it to the boat or shore, and it's a blast!  

For the middle of the water column, I'd go with Bomber's or some Rat-L-Traps, that is unless you wanna splurge and get some Lucky Craft.

Also, if you have the gear to handle it, and your ponds are deep enough, pick up some Norman's DD22's. These will cover the deepest of the water column.

Cavitron's are friggin' amazing.

(but I don't think BPS carries them  :'()

Rapala DT Fat 03 for shallow water

Rapala Shad Raps in shad color for about anywhere

lucky craft rc 2.5 and you said help you spend some money, but on the other note i will say that normans crankbaits have been running very poorly out of the box lately, i mean they have been running out of the water and takes time tunning them, IMO stay away from norman shallow running crank baits, on the other hand, manns baby-1 i agree with the others

I've never met a Rapala Shad Rap I didn't like. Get some in all variations; shallow, deep, and jointed. I also agree with the Bomber Fat Free Shad series. I've also had alot of success with the Norman crankbaits.

All these baits are very affordable and produce very well.

Good luck,

Falcon

go with the fat free shad series, they are cheaper and are good for he price. choose the dances firetiger colour. it's a good colour to start off.

on the other note i will say that normans crankbaits have been running very poorly out of the box lately, i mean they have been running out of the water and takes time tunning them, IMO stay away from norman shallow running crank baits

I am so glad to hear this, I thought I was going crazy.  I never had an issue with norman bait. PERIOD.  Until lately, the shallow runners have been uncontrolable.  The DLN/DD22's are still awesome, but I have been struggling with the fatboys, and other shallow normans...

For the pond, i would look into a Spro, little john crank.  They are kinda pricey ($10-$12) but are really good little cranks!

Sunday when I do my weekly trip to BPS help me pick out a COUPLE of crankbaits..

Al,

Either take the advice in this thread about specific baits or just be arbitrary. I've been using cranks from day one 39 years ago and, believe me, there are countless brands that catch fish.

Decide what depth range you'll be fishing and buy a couple of lures (naturally) that run in that range. Buy a brand that's well known. Rapala, Bandit, Bomber, Heddon, Mann's, Rebel and so many more are available. You might want to include a lipless in addition to floater-divers.

Since you're fishing stained water, get something bright, like firetiger, and get baits that rattle, although neither is a necessity.

Good luck. Since you've posted a couple of times about cranks, keep us informed as to your progress and tell us about your first of many crankbait fish.

P.S. Whatever you get, check the hooks. Many crankbait hooks aren't very sharp out of the box.

I fish small stained ponds all of the time, and I do not have a better producer than the Bandit cranks.  The Footloose (0-1 foot diver), the 100 Series (2-5 foot) and the 200 (4-7 foot) are awesome little cranks.  I have never had to tune them, they are inexpensive, and they come in a billion and a half colors.  They rattle nicely, the wobble seductively, and are sturdy.