The bait monkey talked me into going to Gander Mountain today, (5-12-06). All I am interested in getting are lures. I am going to see if they have any chatterbaits and if so I will pick up a few. I will also be getting some regular jigs and spinner baits. I thought about buying some crank baits but really don't know how to use them. I don't fish that deep so I guess I need some shallow running baits.

Do I need to get crankbaits that float back to the top or the ones that suspend? Maybe a mixture of both? Brand?

I just got back and the monkey got me good.  Here is a list of the items that I got.

1.)  1 Scumfrog  1/2 oz

2.)  4 Finesse Jigs with trailers

3.)  1 Renosky Super Claw

4.)  4 H&H Double Spinner baits

5.)  1 Mann's Baby Minus Series

6.)  2 pkgs Yum Wooly Bugs  4" Crawdad  (includes LPT)  live prey technology

7.)  1 pkg Senko

8.)  1 New tackel box

I don't think I can help you with the spinnerbaits but I myself have good luck using 2 types of crank baits.   Old trusty is the Storm Wiggle Wort, it has a really good action and comes in many colors and sizes!  My recent favorite is the Rapala X-Rap though.  They are suspending and dive between 1-4 feet.  They also have really good side to side action.  Jerking them is the way I have had the best catch.

BigTex,

Megabass has a shallow crank bait...in the Griffon series, they even have top water crank baits.

Squid

Next to a jig the rapala x-rap (ghost) has been my best bait this spring.  Aside from the great action you can cast it a mile!!

I was in gander mountain (middletown NY) a few weeks ago and took advantage of a great sale on spinner baits...hopefully you will have the same luck!    

The bait monkey talked me into going to Gander Mountain today, (5-12-06). All I am interested in getting are lures. I am going to see if they have any chatterbaits and if so I will pick up a few.

Do I need to get crankbaits that float back to the top or the ones that suspend? Maybe a mixture of both? Brand?

I have tried a couple of times to pick up some chatterbaits for you over here in Tyler, and no luck so far.  I haven't been able to do an extensive search, though.

If you fish around alot of branches and sticks the floaters will often unhook if caught or can be stoped then fished over the tops. I like the suspending over grass.