| Lipless Crankbaits |
Shallow to mid-depth water, grass flats, pre-spawn/spawn, stained water |
Cast long, let sink, then retrieve with steady reeling, ripping through grass or yo-yo retrieve off bottom |
Strike King Red Eye Shad |
| Shallow Diving Crankbaits |
Shallow water (1–6 ft), around rocks, wood, and banks |
Steady retrieve with occasional pauses; deflect off cover to trigger reaction strikes |
Rapala Shallow Shad Rap |
| Deep Diving Crankbaits |
Deep water (10–25+ ft), offshore structure, ledges, drop-offs |
Long cast, retrieve steadily with rod tip down to maintain depth; pause occasionally to trigger bites |
Strike King 6XD |
| Square Bill Crankbaits |
Shallow, cover-heavy areas (wood, docks, grass), stained or muddy water |
Slow to moderate retrieve; deflect bait off cover to provoke reaction strikes |
Strike King KVD Square Bill |
| Floating Crankbaits |
Calm or clear shallow water, topwater-like presentations |
Retrieve steadily; can pause to let it float up, mimicking injured baitfish |
Rapala Original Floater |
| Suspending Crankbaits |
Cold water or pressured fish in clear conditions |
Retrieve with pauses; bait hovers in place, making fish strike on the pause |
Smithwick Suspending Rogue |
| Sinking Crankbaits |
Deeper water, vertical structure, or when fish are holding low |
Let bait sink to desired depth, then retrieve or count down and work at depth |
Rapala CountDown |
| Flat Crankbaits |
Cold water, clear to moderately stained water, pressured fish |
Steady slow retrieve; subtle wobble works best for finicky fish |
Berkley Frittside |
| Round Body Crankbaits |
Open water, clear conditions, general-purpose fishing at various depths |
Medium to steady retrieve; wider wobble works well for covering water |
Rapala Original Floater |