I'm going to start cranking a heck of a lot more after trying it the other day, and slamming two 5 pounders in under 10 minutes.  

After I caught those two females, I lost the only crankbait in my tackle box. (yes I'm a loser with only one crankbait) I have no idea where I got it or what brand it was.

What brands of crankbaits do you guys have lots of success with?  If you can compare and contrast some of the brands for me, that would be awesome.

Lastly, if you can post not only your favorite crankbait at any price, but also tell me what crankbaits are the best "bang for my buck"  I'd really appreaciate it.

Salmo Hornet is my fav.

My favorites:

Rapala Shad Rap in all it 's versions

Storm Thundercrank

Storm Wiggle Wart ( old, new, new "old" )

Rapala Shallow Fat Rap ( not made anymore )

Bill Lewis Rat L-Trap

Megabass Bait X Concept

Daiwa peanut

Storm Wiggle warts

Bandit 100 or 200 series

                 -gk

Raul I noticed the Wiggle Warts cost less than those other cranks.  Would you say Wiggle Warts are pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the best crank?  

i couldnt catch a fish on a regular crankbait if my life depended on it.  but i kill em with the xcaliber xr50 lipless cranks. i use gold black here in southern florida. idk what color for colorado

Raul I noticed the Wiggle Warts cost less than those other cranks. Would you say Wiggle Warts are pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the best crank?

Can 't say that, what I can say is that Wiggle Warts are very good baits at an affordable price, if I were to start a crankbait selection from zero knowing what I know now Warts would be one of my first selections.

Let 's correct my list to the application:

Rapala Shad Rap in all it 's versions for clear water ( more than 6 ft visibility )

Bill Lewis Rat L-Trap clear or stained

Let 's remove the Shallow Fat Rap cuz you gotta look for them in e-bay and they aren 't getting cheaper.

Storm Thundercrank/Wart for low visibility water and trolling

Megabass Bait X for low visibility water.

My favorite is the one I used to catch my last fish.

Most of mine are custom made.  Big M makes a great one.

Factory bandit 300

Bomber Model A

Bomber/Excalibur Fat Free fry, guppy

Lipless

Xcalibur Xr50 - Chrome/Black

Strike King Red Eye Shad - Sexy Shad Pattern

Lipped

Strike King Series 5 - Gizzard Shad Pattern

Rapala DT - Bleeding Olive Pattern

Manns baby 1 minus, Strike king series 3, ALL OF THE BANDITS,Norman dd14 and dd22

Rapala Shad Raps #5 & #7 (Winter)

Rapala Fat Rap #5 Down Deep Model (Summer)

Buckeye Circut Breaker ( Fall , Winter ,Early Sping)

Suddeth Little Earl Flat Bait ( All Seasons)

Mimic Custom Flat Bait (All Seasons)

I have had alot of luck with the rapala DT series. Mostly the DT 6 here in Ohio. I have used the blue gill pattern and the silver pattern mostly.

rapala cranks for the win!

the DT's are my favorite.

i think that rapala is the best bang for your buck. an excellent crankbait for 6 or 7 bucks is a no brainer for me. bandit's are cheaper and slightly less awesome than rapala, but still good.

Strike King Bitsy Pond Minnow.  I swear, that little crank will catch anything.  

    1.  Bomber

    2.  Norman

    3.  Lucky Craft

    4.  Strike King

Lipless: This one is easy. xrK50 Xcalibur One Knocker, been putting fish in the boat for close to 4 months straight.

Customs: Can't really pick just one. Some have mentioned BigM here on BR. I got a few cranks from him a couple months ago. His baits have very unique actions and are truly awesome custom cranks. I also like a couple of the Catching Concepts shallow cranks as well as Zoom/WEC cranks with the Z Flat being my favorite. All the customs have unique actions and the fish dont see them every day.

Shelf: Rapala makes some great cranks, as most everyone knows. Lucky Craft, same thing, excellent crankbaits. I've been throwing the Strike King Flat Shad a lot lately with some good success. Jackall Aragon and the Jackall Muscle Deep series have performed well. Another long time favorite is the Balsa B series by Bagley's and the old Poe's cranks are good ones as well.

You really just have to pick a few different brands, see what your bass like best and build around those. I own several hundred crankbaits but when it comes down to picking one out, there's only a handful that get serious consideration. It takes time to find the ones you like and do well with.

Lucky Craft

Zoom

Bill Norman Pro Edge DD-22 and DLN

-Spro Little john is awesome. mean little crankbaits

-Rapala has got good ones, DT, shad raps, xrap shad

-Strike king series 3

Lucky Craft RC 1.5

Norman Thin N

Strike King series 5

Bomber/Excalibur Fat Free Shad

Norman Deep Little N

2 weeks ago i caught a 11# lm and a 7# smallie on a mirrolure floating diver crankbait

I have the most luke with my Rat L Traps or Strike King's Red Eye for lipless cranks.

From shallow to deep divers, you will see me with a Strike King Sexy Shad on.

Strike King series 3 in the firetiger color