Buyer's Guide: Squarebills and Lipless Crankbaits For Every Season

Today's Buyer's guide is all about the reaction bite. In an effort to pack in as much information as possible, we've combined two of the largest crankbait categories into our final buyer's guide of the season. We're looking at shallow crankbaits for triggering a reaction bite, then switching gears to lipless crankbaits and exploring the best baits for fishing shallow grass flats, the best baits for deep water applications, and everything in between. 

Choosing the right crankbait is a combination of 3 variables. First, do you want sound? Second, how large are the baitfish or crawfish you're imitating? And finally, how deep (or shallow) do you need to reach? Answering these 3 questions will guide you to the best bait in your box, every time. From there, a small selection of colors is all you need to meet every situation. 

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits in every size and depth range. We've included our favorite colors, along with the rods, reels, and gear you'll need to be successful on the water. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 


Magnum Squarebills... 

-Lucky Craft BDS-6: http://bit.ly/2sRZby9

Colors: BP Golden Shiner, TO Craw


-6th Sense Mini Mag: http://bit.ly/31KGyeC

Colors: Ghost Shad Scales, Ghost Threadfin Shad, Delta Craw


Standard Squarebills... 

-Lucky Craft BDS-3: http://bit.ly/2blTVwI

Colors: BP Golden Shiner, TO Craw, Ghost Minnow


-Lucky Craft 1.5 / 2.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Colors: American Shad, BP Golden Shiner, Ghost Minnow


-River2Sea Biggie Poppa and Smalls: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

Colors: Abalone Shad, Cold Blooded, I Know It


Small Squarebills... 

-Megabass Super Z Z-1 Shallow Crank: https://bit.ly/2Y9dkHB

Colors: Kasumi Ito, Mat Craw 2, GG Gill


-SPRO Little John 50: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Colors: Copper Shad, Natural Herring, Fire Craw, Blood Craw


-SPRO Fat John 50: http://bit.ly/2V03giW

Colors: Matte Shad, Citrus Nasty, Nasty Shad


-Evergreen CH-1: http://bit.ly/2MrsOCG

Colors: Ayu, Fire Craw, Damonde Shad


Large Lipless Crankbaits... 

-6th Sense Quake 80: http://bit.ly/2Kxt4zm

Colors: Shad Scales, American Shad, Crackle Craw


-Spro Aruka Shad 85: http://bit.ly/37seMJN

Colors: Red Crawfish, Spooky Shad, Clear Chartreuse


Primary Lipless Baits... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad


-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: RT Scale Minnow, RT Escape Craw, Ghost Minnow


Little Lipless... 

-Jackall TN-50: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Colors: SG Threadfin, RT Scale Minnow, Sprinkle Wakasagi


Budget Lipless... 

-Bill Lewis Rattle Trap 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2gm8CjC 

Colors: Cali Craw, Ghost Minnow, American Shad


-Cotton Cordell Super Spot: http://bit.ly/2y3K210

Colors: royal Red, Chrome Black, Chrome Blue


Crankbait Storage... 

-Plano Edge 3700 Deep Box: https://bit.ly/3dbdbby


Our Favorite Lipless/Squarebill Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 Shock Leader 16 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB


Mid-Priced Lipless Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Reel- Shimano SLX XT XG: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9


Budget Lipless Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 705 CB (7' Med Heavy Cranking): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm


NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G


Previous Buyer's Guides... 

-Best Jigs and Trailers: https://bit.ly/38cc8XX

-Tackle Storage and Gear Protection: https://bit.ly/2IF0kVf

-Best Jerkbaits: https://bit.ly/3qPPOLY

-Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits: https://bit.ly/2Lj4hjk

-Dropshot: https://bit.ly/2KgBr2w

-Craws and Creatures: https://bit.ly/3lU4vLe

-Best Ned Rig Baits and Gear: https://bit.ly/3fo75GV

-Deep Diving Crankbaits: https://bit.ly/3kXuH6h

-Big Swimbaits: https://bit.ly/395vTT6

-High End Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/35PNOeu

-$500 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/3lW1o5I

-$400 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/3lSfwwz

-$200 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/2USSCJv

-$100 Rod/Reel Combos: https://bit.ly/37aupED

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