ozaibak1 Posted July 13, 2009 Report Posted July 13, 2009 Lhouse soccer's post about Rapala today was definitely interesting, and got me thinking... maybe Rapala isn't the only crankbait company I should buy from! I mean, undoubtedly, they've built up an extremely strong brand that is now synonymous with crankbaits for most people (including myself). That being said, they are still quite pricey, and people are saying their craftsmanship has declined since they've switched their manufacturing operations. That being said, if I wanted to buy a non-Rapala crankbait, which company would you recommend? And I'm not talking about a specific kind of crank. Which alternative brands are a solid choice, based on performance, durability, and price? I bought a bunch of Rapalas this year and don't plan on buying more cranks for quite some time, but when that time does come, I wouldn't mind testing out something different.
beertech Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 some of the manns baits are nice. lucky crafts are great baits. Althought the xrap is the best jerkbait and 10 bucks cheaper than the lucky crafts.
Greencoachdog Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Anyone remember the Heddon Hellbender "Pink Eyed Ghost"??? I also like Storm "Wiggle Warts"!
Badger Shark Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Reef Runners! Great action and anyting will hit them.
pike slayer Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 i gotta say rapala still has the best product out there even if they brake easier then other companies they do catch more fish. I have around 70 rapalas and probably 20-30 other cranks from different companies and i gotta say i dont use non rapala cranks to often. if rapala some how went under and all rapalas got sold out i'd have to go to with probably storm, although doesnt rapala own storm?? i sometimes use the hot n tots, thundersticks, etc. you cant beat a good old rapala, they are like cars, you get some that last forever and you get some lemons. i got rapalas that have been through hell and back a dozen times with hardly any paint left and had to change the hooks a number of times, then i've had some that have lasted like buddys and have the lip snap off first couple hours or get bounced off a rock and crack it.
Whitespinnerbait Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Big-O By Cotton Cordell Awesome CrankBait right there....
Twocoda Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Cotton Cordells ...especially for the bass fisherman ... heres the catalog http://www.cottoncordelllures.com/catalog.html
bigugli Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 (edited) I like Rapala, Rebel and Cordell. They have all produced good product. Edited July 14, 2009 by bigugli
CLofchik Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Reef Runners! Great action and anyting will hit them. I have yet to see a Reef Runner come out of the package and run true, they ALL need tuning right from the factory. And the hooks are crap. Stupid tough baits though, and they work.....that is once you get them working. ....although doesnt rapala own storm??..... Yup, though after Normark initially tried cheaping them out too they received a flurry of bad press and mail and seemed to have gone back to the originals and staying with the status quo. The 1st year batch of bad baits got sold off at bargain prices, these are the ones popping up at Dollarama's and Bass Pro's Spring Sale in the jon boats out front for $1. Hot'N'Tots with plastic lips have the same longevity as Rapala's, that is about one day. Probably made in the same factory as Rapala's now. My list of fav crank names (I've been off Rapala for awhile and too cheap to buy Lucky Crafts): Salmo -- The quality baits Rapala's used to be. I have Hornets that I've ground 1/8" off the lip bumping the bottom for so long and still catch fish Cordell -- Best of the budget baits, use Spots & Redfins more than any other cranks nowadays. Change the hooks. XPS -- Bass Pro did a really good job on these, nice action, the suspending baits actually suspend neutrally, and I've caught chinooks on the 4" minnows with stock hooks. Still early to fall in love with them but they get Rookie Of The Year honours.
BillM Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 I also like Storm "Wiggle Warts"! Got a couple of those, used to use them in Erie for pickerel.... I think we even caught salmon on them downrigging, lol
danbouck Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Big-O By Cotton Cordell Awesome CrankBait right there.... I can't catch a damn thing with it. But my buddy can catch fish all day next to me with the same one.
highdrifter Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Got a couple of those, used to use them in Erie for pickerel.... I think we even caught salmon on them downrigging, lol Oohh and the flying lure!! Remember those infomercials?! "It does what no other bait can" I was twelve and as I recall, that's when things started getting a little... crazy!!
Burning Babies Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Rapalas seem to dominate the market less and less as you go south. They are good, but I definately prefer other company's baits on frequent occasions. I like Strike King and Bandit crankbaits lines in particular. Smithwick too, if you count minnowbaits. Mostly, I find certain baits that work well for me, rather than sticking to a specific company.
BillM Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Oohh and the flying lure!! Remember those infomercials?! "It does what no other bait can" I was twelve and as I recall, that's when things started getting a little... crazy!! Fidel, there are flying lures in my oldmans tackle box :) They rock for pitching under docks, lol
cuillerierk Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 The only 2 I buy other than Rap are. Cotton Cordells and Heddons. But mostly I buy Rapala
highdrifter Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Fidel, there are flying lures in my oldmans tackle box :) They rock for pitching under docks, lol Bill I washed those lures soo many times. Only memorable fish was in Algonquin, and it was totally unexpected. I was so wound up that I lost him!!
highdrifter Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 (edited) Oops.. getting deep in leftfield again. Daiwa makes a nice bait!! Otherwise, if I only had one lure in the box, it would be a Lucky Craft Pointer SP 100, any colour. cheers HD Edited July 14, 2009 by Highdrifter
mikeh Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 H2O makes some nice baits, there is a guy selling them on a message board in the states.
fishingteg Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Lucky craft lures are nice but expensive. I like the Strike king cranks, although the quality of the Raps are abit better
Yellow14 Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 I have a number of Rapalas but I also really like Bomber crankbaits
Roy Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 I really like Reef Runners in the 800 series. This year I want to try the Cabela's brand called walleye runner. They look good. Has anyone used these?
Garry2Rs Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Spro makes very nice baits. Their Bronzeye Frog is the best on the market and the Akura Shad is a terrific lipless rattle bait. I had good luck with their John Crew's, Little John bait as well. There are several other styles of bait in there line up that I haven't tried, but the ones I've used are all first class. Garry2rs
CLofchik Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Spro & Kopper's make great baits but their lineups are limited, I'd rank them up there with Lucky Craft.
Raf Posted July 14, 2009 Report Posted July 14, 2009 Drifter, ERC, Legend AC makes a great baitfish crankbait.
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