I'm trying to continue learning a little bit over the winter and this questions has been on my mind.

When and why do you use silent or flat sided crankbaits?

Which are your favorite?

Thanks in advance

I will use them all times of year, but I prefer them when the water temp is below 55. I find around 45-50 to be the best bite on them. I prefer a squarebill myself but it just depends on the depth you are fishing. The brand I use is not made anymore.

I like flat sided when the drops into the 50's or lower. I have had good success with the following baits.

Lipless cranks - is always a good option. Cordell Super Spot is expensiveness and works when the water is really cold. You can work it slower than other types.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Cotton_Cordell_Super_Spot_Lipless_Crankbaits/descpage-CSS.html

Spro Little John

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Spro_John_Crews_Little_John_50_Crankbait_1_2oz/descpage-SLJCB.html

Strike King KVD HC Flat Side 1.5 Crankbait

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_KVD_HC_Flat_Side_15_Crankbait/descpage-SKKVDFS.html

Bomber Flat A Crankbait

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Bomber_Flat_A_Crankbaits_3_8oz/descpage-BFA.html

I likened that is no longer made, too. Dieter 'Stanford seems to have a few in Ebay sometimes. He used to makesilent AND flat sided baits. Sometimes, you can find them on E-bay. I use them all year long as well. MOST fish have not seen a silent bait or a flat sided bait, so you normally get harder strikes the bait. God luck oon finding some

Tight lines, keep safe and good ludck.

Thad Rains

Can you throw the KVD Flat Side 1.5 into fairly heavy cover like a square bill?

I've not use a ton of the flat sided crankbaits. Be interesting to see what people are using.

I would not recommend it. It's more of a traditional crankbait but thinner. It dives 8'-10' and has a rounded bill. Fish the Little John as you would a regular square bill. As the water temp drop I tend to focus on rock cover so either style bill works fine.

I use the silent style baits in clear water lakes like Belton and Stillhouse. I try and fish them pretty fast so they don't get a good look at them.

flat sided- i use when they want a tight action opposite of a wiggle wart, usually colder water

silent- I switch to silent early on in spring when the fish get used to hearing and feeling rattling cranks all day or in spooky very clear water