Top Crankbait Brands for Angling Enthusiasts

Fishing enthusiasts are often on the lookout for the best crankbaits to enhance their angling experience. Crankbaits are a crucial tool as they mimic the movement of fish, making them a favorite among those seeking to reel in a big catch. Choosing the right brand can significantly impact your success on the water, with some brands standing out due to their innovation and reliability. If you're curious to discover which brands have topped the list for their exceptional crankbaits, continue reading below.

Illustration of crankbaits

Best brands of crankbaits in 2025

Rapala

Rapala is renowned as one of the best producers of crankbaits, with its products consistently outperforming expectations. The recent launch of Rapala CrushCity soft plastic lures has been exceptionally successful, contributing significantly to a 5% increase in North American sales and a 6% increase with comparable translation exchange rates in the first half of 2024. The brand's hard bait introductions, such as the Shad Rap, have also been highly effective, featuring premium balsa construction and VMC black nickel hooks. Rapala's strategy of combining strong global branding with local product flavors has proven synergistic, especially in the combination of Rapala baits and VMC hooks. This approach has helped Rapala gain significant market share in the soft plastic lure category.

Strike King

Strike King is renowned as one of the best producers of crankbaits, with a history dating back to 1964. The brand is known for its innovative products, such as the 6XD Hard Knock, which has been a favorite among professional anglers since its release in 2011, and the Chick Magnet, a flat-sided crankbait that has won best-in-category awards. Strike King's products are highly effective, with the 6XD capable of reaching depths of 18 to 20 feet and featuring a unique sound profile to trigger strikes. The company's collaboration with legendary anglers like Kevin VanDam and Andy Morgan has contributed to its success. Strike King continues to innovate, adding new technologies to its classic designs to enhance performance. For more details on their offerings, visit their official website.

Bandit Lures

Bandit Lures is renowned as one of the top producers of crankbaits, particularly known for their Series 200 crankbaits that dive to depths of 4-8 feet and feature a wide-wobbling action. Founded in 1976, Bandit Lures has a long history of producing high-quality crankbaits, such as the Series 200, which has been a staple in competitive and recreational bass fishing since its introduction in 1980. These crankbaits are made from durable ABS plastic, equipped with sticky-sharp treble hooks, and come in a variety of colors to match local forage. The brand's products are highly praised for their effectiveness in both slow and fast presentations, making them a favorite among bass fishermen. Bandit Lures continues to be a significant player in the fishing industry, now operated under PRADCO Outdoor Brands since its acquisition in 2014.

Bomber Lures

Bomber Lures is renowned for producing high-quality crankbaits, with their Next Generation series offering top-tier performance at an affordable price of $3.99, a significant advancement made possible by improvements in manufacturing. The brand's Flat A and Deep Flat A models feature a weight-transfer system, enhancing casting performance even in windy conditions. The Model A series, in production since the 1970s, offers a versatile range of crankbaits suitable for various fishing situations. Bomber Lures' crankbaits, such as the Square A and Fat Free Shad, are praised for their durability and ability to navigate through thick cover without hang-ups. With a long history of innovation, Bomber Lures continues to be a favorite among anglers. For more information on their crankbait offerings, visit their page on Tackle Warehouse.

Megabass

Megabass is renowned as one of the best producers of crankbaits, particularly with models like the S-CRANK, which is designed for shallow summer fishing and features an erratic retrieve pattern that mimics deflections, increasing the likelihood of triggering bass strikes. The company's commitment to innovation, quality, and attention to detail has made its products a gold standard in the industry. In 2013, Megabass of America was established to enhance U.S. distribution and tailor products to the specific demands of American waters, including increased marketing efforts and product development focused on the U.S. market.

Berkley

Berkley, renowned as one of the best producers of crankbaits, capitalizes on over 85 years of innovation and scientific research. Founded by Berkley Bedell in 1937, the company has revolutionized the fishing industry with products like PowerBait, invented in 1987 and remaining a top seller with 20,000 jars produced daily. Berkley's lab in Spirit Lake, Iowa, conducts thousands of experiments to develop baits that effectively interact with fish behavior, including sight, sound, smell, and taste tests. Their latest innovations, such as the Berkley Krej, are designed to work optimally with forward-facing sonar, enhancing the fishing experience. With a strong focus on science-based bait development, Berkley continues to dominate the market.

Lucky Craft

Lucky Craft is renowned as one of the top producers of crankbaits, particularly noted for their high-quality hard plastic baits. The brand has been a significant presence in the North American market for over five years, offering 70 models of injection-molded hard plastic baits. Their crankbaits, such as the CB200 and CB350 Moonsault, are highly regarded for their performance, contributing to their popularity in freshwater bass fishing. Lucky Craft's baits have been instrumental in numerous tour wins, with crankbaits like theirs factoring in 15% of all tour wins and 22% of 2nd- through 5th-place finishes. The brand's commitment to design and quality has made their products a staple in many anglers' tackle boxes.

Storm

The Storm brand, part of the Rapala VMC group, is renowned for its high-quality crankbaits, which are highly favored by anglers worldwide. Known for their durability and effectiveness, Storm crankbaits are a staple in many fishing tackle boxes. In 2023, Rapala VMC, the parent company of Storm, held a strong market position in North America, with 50% of its sales derived from this region, highlighting the brand's significant impact. The Storm brand's products are distributed through a vast network, ensuring wide availability and contributing to its market leadership in hard-bodied lures. With a strong presence in the global sport fishing market, Storm continues to innovate and meet the demands of both recreational and professional anglers.

Sixth Sense

Sixth Sense Fishing is renowned for its innovative and high-quality crankbaits, making it a staple in any serious angler's arsenal. Known for their unique designs, such as the distinctive taper in the Cloud9 series introduced in 2016, these lures are crafted with premium materials to ensure durability and reliability. The company's commitment to quality is evident in their products, which are designed to enhance effectiveness and make them irresistible to fish. With a comprehensive range of products, including crankbaits, swimbaits, and terminal tackle, Sixth Sense caters to the diverse needs of anglers. Their products have garnered a 4.9 rating for their performance and innovation. For more information, visit their official website.

Cotton Cordell

Cotton Cordell is renowned as one of the best producers of crankbaits, particularly with its iconic Big O series, which was first transformed from Fred Young's wooden carving to plastic in 1973. The Cotton Cordell Big O C78 Squarebill Crankbait is celebrated for its tough lip, buoyant body, and cover-deflecting ability, making it a favorite among anglers. This crankbait has been designed and tested in the USA and is available in various color patterns. Despite some quality concerns since production moved overseas, the Big O crankbaits continue to be highly effective, with many anglers praising their action and fish-catching ability. The brand's products are widely available through online retailers and specialty stores, contributing to the growth of the fish hunting equipment market.