Flat side crankbaits are a go-to option for anglers targeting a wide range of freshwater species. These lures deliver tight wobble and flashing action that can provoke reaction strikes, even from pressured fish. Below are five highly relevant flat side crankbaits, each with a concise summary of why it’s a strong choice, plus a practical buying guide to help you compare features and performance.
| Product | Brand | Weight | Approx. Length | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkley Frittside | Berkley | 1/3 oz | 2 1/4 in | Tight, thumping action with FlashDisc for stability |
| Strike King Chick Magnet Jr. Crankbait | Strike King | 1/4 oz | Not stated | Legendary swimming action and flat-side design |
| Strike King Hardliner | Strike King | 5/16 oz | 2 1/2 in | Old-school wood feel with tight wobble |
| Bomber Flat A Apple Red Crawdad | BOMBER | Not stated | 2 1/2 in | Near-neutral design for depth control |
| Lew’s Chick Magnet Flatside | Lew’s | 7/16 oz | Not stated | Flat-sided performance with shallow-water depth control |
Berkley Frittside Fishing Lure, Candy Apple Red Craw
The Berkley Frittside is a freshwater crankbait built around the action that contributed to a Bassmaster Classic win. It features a classic flat-side profile designed to reflect light and create conspicuous flashes in the water. The integrated FlashDisc aids tracking stability, helping the lure maintain a precise path even in tough conditions. With a teardrop-like wobble and a sharp Fusion19 hook, this lure targets a variety of species and can be effective in pressured or sluggish fish scenarios.
Strike King Chick Magnet Jr. Crankbait, Fire Craw
Designed for a tight-wobble presentation, the Chick Magnet Jr. features Strike King’s flat-sided profile paired with a circuit-board lip. This combination delivers strong casting and a stable tracking path, which helps in clear and lightly stained waters. The lure is built with premium hooks to enhance bite retention and reduce losses when fishing near cover or structure. It’s a versatile choice for shallow to mid-depth water where fish show selective feeding behavior.
Strike King Hardliner, Flat-Sided Crankbait
The Strike King Hardliner emphasizes a classic yet updated flat-side design with a durable circuit-board lip. It is pitched as a cold-water option with excellent castability and a tight wobble. With a 5/16-ounce weight and size 5 treble hooks, it suits shallow water like flats and weed edges where bass and other game fish feed aggressively. The design aims to balance depth control and action for reliable performance in varying conditions.
Bomber Deep Flat A Apple Red Crawdad
The Bomber Flat A offers a near-neutral design that delivers subtle, targeted action and depth control. This is useful when fish are holding at specific depths or in cooler water where a tight wiggle can entice strikes without spooking wary fish. Slow retrieves or controlled burns can help trigger reaction bites, while the shallow-dive capability makes it a solid choice for edge water structure and cover lines.
Berkley Frittside 3 Pack, Shad Assortment
The 3-pack provides a Shad assortment with the same flat-side action that characterizes the Frittside line. These lures maintain the same FlashDisc-stabilized tracking while offering a variety of color options to match local forage. The combination can help anglers dial in color and depth preferences across different fishing days and water conditions.
Lew’s Chick Magnet Flatside, Rootbeer
Lew’s Chick Magnet Flatside combines a lightweight profile with a durable lip to provide strong shallow-water performance. The flat-sided shape helps create a visible flash and tight wobble, which are effective in cold water and when fish are targeting smaller prey near structure. This lure balances depth control and stability, making it a versatile option for various freshwater bodies.
Lew’s Sulmo The Chick Magnet Flatsided
The Sulmo Chick Magnet Flatsided focuses on shallow-water performance with a flat-side profile designed for quick action and stability. The lure’s build emphasizes a reliable glide and flash, aimed at triggering strikes in cold or pressured conditions. Its compact size is suitable for targeting bass, walleye, and other mid-sized freshwater species during varied retrieve speeds.
Buying Guide: Flat Side Crankbaits
Consider these factors when selecting flat side crankbaits for freshwater fishing:
- Depth Range: Flat side crankbaits vary in dive depth. Choose models that reach your target depth, whether near weed edges, in shallow flats, or mid-depth structure.
- Action and Profile: Flat sides produce strong flashes and tight wobble. A wood-analog feel with a stabilized lip can improve tracking in rough water or strong currents.
- Color and Pattern: Color schemes like crawdad, shad, or natural browns mirror local forage. Use brighter colors in stained water or low-light conditions and natural patterns in clear water.
- Hook Quality: Premium, sharp hooks reduce missed strikes and improve hookup ratios. Consider models with treble hooks designed for durability in snag-prone habitats.
- Durability and Lip Design: Circuit-board or plastic lips affect dive depth and durability. A sturdy lip helps maintain stability across retrieves and impacts with cover.
- Versatility: Some flat side crankbaits excel in cold water, while others perform better in warm-season conditions. Look for lures offering consistent action across a range of temperatures.
- Brand and Availability: Reputable brands provide consistent action and better availability of colors and replacement parts, which reduces downtime on the water.
When selecting a set of flat side crankbaits, anglers often prefer a mix of sizes and colors to adapt to conditions, forage, and water clarity. Pairing a few shallow-diving models with one or two mid-depth options can broaden your fishing opportunities across a day of fishing.