Lipless cranks

[Fried Lemons]

I fish rapids from the very rocky banks of a local river. I like throwing lipless cranks here as I can catch a variety of species depending on the time of year. I found I do best with a slow, steady retrieve just off the bottom. Unfortunately I snag frequently on boulders and commonly lose 1-2 baits per outing. I'm looking for recommendations for lipless cranks that will get me the best bang for my buck. I care mostly about the sound and the hardware quality. I don't really ever yoyo the bait because as soon as it touches the bottom, it's gone.

[jbw252]

I don't have any experience with these, but I saw a lipless crankbait that had the bottom hook moved up to the top of the lure to avoid hang ups.  They're called Backstabber lures.  Maybe this will work for you.

[CTBassin860]

What kind are you using? Go with the Strike King Red Eye Shad.Because they work.

[Catt]

Rat-L-Trap... Ya can't beat the original

[Outdoor Zack]

Find a good price on some decent ones and buy up.  

 

I need to do the same before too long anyhow

[papajoe222]

If you can find them, Cotton Cordell Super Spots are easy on the pocketbook and are good for exactly what you do.  The hooks aren't bad and they have a decent rattle chamber. Average price is around $3 at many discount stores.

[Jrob78]

I usually fish RedEye Shad when I bank fish a lipless.  They are very effective and don't kill the wallet when you lose a few.

[Mumbly]

2 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

If you can find them, Cotton Cordell Super Spots are easy on the pocketbook and are good for exactly what you do.  The hooks aren't bad and they have a decent rattle chamber. Average price is around $3 at many discount stores.

 

Good bait and currently on sale during the Spring Classic in store at Bass pro. 5 for $10

 

Red eye's on sale for $5.19

[MikeWright]

RATLTRAP 

[thebillsman]

1 hour ago, Mumbly said:

 

Good bait and currently on sale during the Spring Classic in store at Bass pro. 5 for $10

 

Red eye's on sale for $5.19

 

My Dicks has Banshee RESs for 3.97

[Guest]

Cc super spot. I feel like the super spot is really good for finicky fish it's got a good rattle but doesn't spook fish. If you lose one to a snag it won't hurt, there less then 3 bucks. I rather fish a super spot over a ratl trap in any situation that's just my personal preference. You can always upgrade the hooks if you want but for what your doing it's good as is.

[CTBassin860]

9 hours ago, Mumbly said:

 

Good bait and currently on sale during the Spring Classic in store at Bass pro. 5 for $10

 

Red eye's on sale for $5.19

I took advantage of that already.Cant beat that that deal 

[soflabasser]

Another vote for the Rat-L-Trap.

[Deleted account]

Fish them with 50 lb braid and a 20-30 lb mono (not flouro) leader, I like BG or Ande. Keep them ticking the bottom, and pull steady when/if they hang (point rod and walk backwards). They will come loose most of the time. Also, As you learn a spot, you should be able to fish that lure inches above the bottom without touching it, I'd start naming the protruding rocks too...

[Fried Lemons]

Thanks everyone, I will check them out.

[S. Sass]

13 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

Cotton Cordell Super Spot

 

14 hours ago, Catt said:

Rat-L-Trap

 

11 hours ago, Jrob78 said:

RedEye Shad

 

9 hours ago, thebillsman said:

Banshee RES

 

Well that about covers the gamut.   I would say this is a pretty good selection of choices. They are the most popular.

 

For something like the OP describes the Cotton Cordell on average (not including sales) is more often than not a reasonably priced proven lure. It is a lure that is readily available almost everywhere, decent color selection, and is well cheap. 

 

As for the all time best lipless Catt nailed it Rat-L-Trap is the best bang for the buck. It has a excellent reputation tons of colors good hooks American Made and very reasonable price.

 

The younger generation and some older fellas are now claiming the RedEye Shad is now the ticket. Around here it is the most expensive lipless you can find. Probably not the best bang for your buck if you know you're going to be losing them frequently.

 

The alternative to the costly RedEye Shad may be the Banshee from Dicks. I haven't seen one but claims have been made its a RedEye Shad in a Dicks wrapper. I have no idea what retail is but it should be more reasonable and might be the ticket if you really want that RedEye Shad bait but know it's realistically to expensive for what you're doing. 

 

Personally I would use the Rat-L-Trap or Cotton Cordell and or maybe the Banshee if I had to have that style and the pricing was similar to the RT and CC. 

 

Just a side not the Spro Aruku Shad has been a decent bait and the H2O XPRESS™ LCR from Academy has also worked well for me. Currently the H2O XPRESS™ LCR is on sale also for  $2.99

Also a good thread for lipless opinions 

 

[scaleface]

  You asked specifically about lipess cranks but  a lot of inexpensive lures will work with same retrieve . Plastic swimbaits would be a cheaper alternative . I like to use the prerigged ones that come several in a package for a couple of dollars .

[CTBassin860]

The Berkley Warpig is more expensive than the RES.I love the shape of them though.Most Lipless are priced between 4-8 bucks with the exception of Megabass and Lucky Craft.If your losing them id hit BPS and grab 15 Cordell SS for 30 bucks.2 bucks a pop is easier than losing 8 dollar lures.

[Mumbly]

11 hours ago, thebillsman said:

 

My Dicks has Banshee RESs for 3.97

 

I wish mine did.

[Ads7633]

I fish Red Eye's, Aruku Shad, and the originals, but I always seem to have the best luck on the original Rattletrap 

[RoLo]

Best bang for the buck:

> Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap          ($5.50)

> Strike King Red Eye Shad   ($5.90)

> Spro Aruku Shad               ($6.50)

 

Roger

[Guest]

@Ads7633The question wasn't what you're favorite crankbait is. It was what is the most effective affordable bait that your going to be losing often in rushing rocky water. I personally would be throwing an 8$ bait If I'm losing a trap every time I fish a certain body of water ? This is why I would go with the cc and because it works.

[Ads7633]

On 2/19/2017 at 10:18 PM, Pilot. said:

@Ads7633The question wasn't what you're favorite crankbait is. It was what is the most effective affordable bait that your going to be losing often in rushing rocky water. I personally would be throwing an 8$ bait If I'm losing a trap every time I fish a certain body of water ? This is why I would go with the cc and because it works.

My bad! I understand the frustration of losing lures! Red Eye banshees work pretty well for cheap!

[rtwvumtneer6]

On 2/18/2017 at 8:30 PM, jbw252 said:

I don't have any experience with these, but I saw a lipless crankbait that had the bottom hook moved up to the top of the lure to avoid hang ups.  They're called Backstabber lures.  Maybe this will work for you.

Be careful here... The concept makes sense but I have a backstabber square bill and the stock hooks tangle in each other, and the top hook effects the way it swims. I can't speak for the lipless, but proceed with caution. If you go that route, start small. Glad I got mine as a part of a monthly subscription product. 

[Buffdaddy54]

Just purchased some BassPro XPS lipless cranks. Never tried them before but at 3.99 and free shipping I thought I would give them a try.