Some of my favorite crankbaits are made by Lucky Craft, Specialty Tackle, and Luhr Jensen.
Favorite crank that has produced the most for me and is the cheapest by far is the Speed Trap by Luhr Jensen. Has a good action and good depth range for most of the fishing I do in the Spring-Summer. The only problem I have with these baits is how thin walled they are. They seem to break or crack more easily than other baits.
Next on the list for me is the Junior D by Specialty tackle. It's a little bit on the pricey side, but it's like nothing else i have. The bait is two inches long and dives down to eleven feet! Not only that but it'll suspend for up to 30 seconds. The rattle in this bait is really fishy too. It thumps really loud instead of most baits that just rattle. They make some awesome colors also. This bait runs liike 15 bucks or so but it comes with something called a Lure Saver. It's a type of split ring that'll pull out and leave the hooks behind on a snag so you dont loose the bait.
The other bait I fish alot is the Flat CB from Lucky Craft. It produced a big fish in a tournament up at Cachuma for me and I've been a believer ever since. This bait is also a little pricey but just like everything else you get what you pay for.
Other good crank baits are Broken Back Shad Raps from Rapala and most of the Bagleys are great baits also.
gotta love the Speed Traps, but they do break easy- no worries, not much of a dent to the wallet- I like the Norman cranks, the DD-22 is a killer as well as the Deep Little N and they're cheap, as well- I also like the Fat Free Shad by Bomber (Excaliber- they aren't dead), and Rapala Fat Rap-
I agree with those mentioned (especially Luckycraft). I also like the Rader baits. Really nice cranks. I think Angler's Marine has them, maybe Bass World West too (I would get them at BWW if I had a choice).
Tackle Warehouse also has a great selection. You can find the Specialty Tackle cranks at www.specialtytackle.com or at www.usacproshop.com.
#1 Lucky Craft (Fat CB's Moonsaults) #2 Old Bagley's (B Flat BB's) #3 Bill Lewis Rattle Trap (1/2-3/4oz gold craw) #4 Most Japan lures!! #5 Fat Free Shads
Speed Traps SUCK! I must have broken the lips off of 20 of them! Save yourself the trouble and buy Lucky Craft moonsauts 100's or 200's Aura gold is my favorite color
I guess everyone has bashed the lips off the Speed Traps! I have a box full of them, constantly smash them on the rip rap at the delta!! they do catch fish, though- The Rapala DT are sick as well, as somebody pointed out-