When the bass are feeding up shallow, one of my favorite ways to catch them is with a squarebill crankbait. The erratic action this lures gets off the bottom as it bumps into rocks, wood, grass and other types of structure makes it tough for any nearby bass to resist.
Although this is a killer way to catch fish, not all squarebill crankbaits are created equal and having the wrong one tied on could be killing your catch rate. For that reason, I have put together this article to share with you the 5 best square bill crankbaits out on the market as well as some tips and tricks that will help you catch more bass on a square bill.
Let’s get started.
Quick Recommendations
Check out this quick list of my favorite square bill crankbaits if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see my full top 5 list with in-depth review.
- Best Overall Square Bill Crankbait: Strike King KVD 1.5
- Best Rattling Square Bill Crankbait: River2Sea Biggie Square
- Best Silent Square Bill Crankbait: Lucky Craft LC Silent Squarebill 1.5 & 2.5
Best Square Bill Crankbaits
Strike King KVD 1.5
My go to crankbait
Kevin VanDam (KVD) the legendary professional bass angler spent a ton of time developing the design of the Strike King KVD 1.5. Later on he ended up winning the 2011 Bassmaster Classic and credited this crankbait for being the reason why he caught his big fish.
KVD designed this squarebill to have just the right amount of erratic action and it does a great job at deflecting off cover enticing any nearby shallow bass into striking. This lure gets to depth quickly and is silent (not rattles) making it an ideal choice for heavily pressured fish.
If you are looking for a square bill that will deliver than the Strike King KVD 1.5 it an excellent choice and is one that I have a lot of confidence in.
Also check out the Strike King KVD 2.5 when you are looking for a larger bait profile.
River2Sea Biggie
Best rattling crankbait
The River2Sea Biggie is another overall great shallow water crankbait. There is nothing subtle about the biggie. It’s built with a deep rattle that causes a ton of commotion as you rip it through the water.
It’s aggressive rattle & sound can be a great way to trigger bass when they aren’t reacting to the silent squarebills. It also has more drawing power and is ideal when fishing in muddy or stained water.
Check out the River2Sea Biggie, this is an all-around great crankbait and is a must add to any bass fishing arsenal.
Lucky Craft 1.5
All around great squarebill
Another phenomenal squarebill crank is the Lucky Craft 1.5. This lure is highly regarded by anglers and it flat out catches them.
This is another silent lure so you can sneak up on those giants and get them to react. It comes in some great colors options and has a smooth erratic action as it swims in the water.
This lure is a great reaction squarebill crankbait and does an excellent job at deflecting off of cover and enticing nearby bass into striking.
If you aren’t fishing the Lucky Craft 1.5 get out there and give it a try, it won’t disappoint.
6th Sense Crush
Great under the radar option
6th Sense has been raising the bar lately and their crush series is one of their best products yet. No bass is safe with this lure swimming around.
This crankbait is ideal for crashing and deflecting into shallow cover, ripping through vegetation, bouncing around rocks or fishing in open water.
It’s available in both a silent and rattling version and also comes in a variety of patterns and colors. The action, vibration and profile of this lure makes it a perfect choice for anglers chasing bass up in shallow water.
Spro Little John
Ideal for cold water and pressured fish
The Spro Littlle John is another great overall squarebill crankbait that is perfect for cold water situations and when fish are under heavy pressure.
This lure has sharp Gamakatsus treble hooks that are ideal for pinning big bass without getting bent out. It runs at depths of 3 to 5 feet making it a great option for targeting bass up shallow.
All and all the Spro Little John is a killer crankbait and is one that you should have tied on all year round. It flat out catches bass.
Best Square Bill Storage
Square bill crankbaits come in a ton of different sizes, depths, sounds and color patterns and if you are anything like me you’ll end up having a ton of different ones.
That’s where having the right storage system comes into play. After a ton of experimentation, I’ve found the Plano Crankbait Organizer to be the best overall option for crankbait storage for its price point.
Make sure to check out My Recommended Bass Fishing Gear and Tackle Guide to ensure you have the right gear for your next fishing adventure.
How Do You Fish a Square Bill Crankbait?
Crankbaits FAQ
What is the best color crankbait? The best color of crankbait really depends on the lake forage and water clarity. In dark or muddy water brighter or dark colors are preferred. In clear water natural looking bait fish colors are going to be your best option.
Do you use weights with crankbaits? Most anglers don’t use weights on their crankbaits. However, adding weights can be a huge benefit in certain situations. Check out this article written by Kevin Vandam: Bass Fishing Secret Weapon: Weighting Crankbaits for some great insights and tips.
When should you throw crankbaits? You can fish a crankbait year round and catch a ton of bass. However, they are typically the most effective in the spring, summer and fall when the bass are up shallow and aggressively feeding.
How fast should I reel in a crankbait? You should always adapt your retrieval speed to what the bass are reacting to and this will most likely change on any given day.
