Bass Lure Reviews

Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank Review

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Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank Review

If you put a bass fishing crankbait in my hand, you can consider me a happy man. It’s my favorite technique of all time which has led to me testing a bunch of them throughout my career. I’ve always been a big fan of Yo-Zuri’s lineup so when I heard they had a new flat-sided crankbait on the market, I was super excited to give it a shot.

I’ve tested this crankbait for several weeks around various types of cover and it can become a major player for anglers in the fall and winter months. Stick with me for a few minutes and I’ll tell you why I say that.

(1 of 5)

The Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank is nothing but quality

Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank Review

I say it all the time and I’ll keep saying it until I’m blue in the face; I don’t want to spend my hard-earned money on a lure only to be forced to modify it before I feel confident fishing it. I don’t like lures with cheap components and cheap paint jobs. We all work hard to save money for fishing gear, so quality is incredibly important to me. 

The Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank is one of the highest-end crankbaits you’re going to find at this price point. From the paint schemes to every single piece of hardware, this lure looks and fishes like a lot of baits that are priced above $20. I don’t know how Yo-Zuri makes their lures so beautiful and affordable, but my gosh, they have a special thing going. It’s awful tough to find a better bang for your buck out there right now. 

(2 of 5)

Very natural action

Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank Review

As mentioned earlier, as flat-sided plug is one of my favorite ways to catch a bass. So I’ve become fairly familiar with just about every one on the market. I can confidently tell you that the Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank has comparable to action to many of the hand-made wood baits some folks buy. This is an incredibly effective flat-sided plug and one you should seriously consider. 

It maintains a tight wiggle throughout the retrieve which is excellent for clearer water, colder water or highly pressured fisheries but it also kicks hard, if that makes sense. It’s a very impressive blend of both subtle and attention drawing. This crankbait strikes a great balance between the two. 

The rattle is also interesting, in my opinion. It’s a more high-pitched rattle which, in my experiences, tends to work really well in colder water temperatures. It’s not too loud but just loud enough to draw a slight bit of attention to the lure in dirtier water conditions.

(3 of 5)

The hooks are ready to go

Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank Review

These hooks are outstanding and you can take this lure right out of the package and start fishing with it. The hooks are a fairly light-wire hooks which help with hook penetration on lighter tackle. I have been testing the Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank on a 7-foot, medium-light casting rod and 12-pound fluorocarbon and hook penetration has been excellent. 

Hook penetration also becomes especially important when you’re fishing these flat-sided crankbaits in cold water. The mouth of a bass gets tougher in colder water temperatures, so it’s imperative you use the sharpest hooks you can find throughout the winter months. You won’t have to worry about a thing if you’re tossing this crankbait. 

(4 of 5)

Big eyes are a big plus

Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank Review

This is one of my favorite attributes of all Yo-Zuri lures. I think the big eyeballs they put on their baits make a bit difference when it comes to hookup ratio. Will the bass eat other lures? Yeah, of course they will. But my buddies and I have realized how much better the bass “get” a Yo-Zuri plug; those suckers will flat-out choke ‘em. 

The best we can tell as we hang out in the shop and talk fishing, is that the big eyeballs are a huge differentiator. I’m not saying they make the lure look more realistic or anything, maybe they do, but most importantly, I think it gives the bass a target on which they can hone in. I like to think of it as a cat with a laser pointer; it gives the bass a big target they can easily track and chase down. 

(5 of 5)

The bottom line

Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Series Flat Crank Review

You’re going to have a tough time finding any better value for a beaufitul, high-quality flat-sided crankbait. Whether you’re fishing in the fall or the winter, I sincerely think you’ll want to have a few of these rigged and ready to go.

Buy at Tackle Warehouse