Lipless crankbaits in ponds

[EGbassing]

I decided to try out lipless crankbaits recently so I bought the strike king red eye shad. (2-tap version) On my first cast I caught a 2 - 3 pound bass. They seem to work really well in my pond, but I hate fishing them because I have to just burn them as fast as I can to keep them from getting snagged on the bottom. Does anybody have any recommendations for a shallow water lipless? I've been looking at the Rat-l-trap, but I don't know if it would have the same problem or not. 

[CroakHunter]

Bagley rattling b minus. 1/2 ounce slow sink. But when you say snag the bottom do you mean hung up on grass/weeds or snagged where you can't get it free and have to break your line like youre stuck on wood?

[EGbassing]

29 minutes ago, CroakHunter said:

Bagley rattling b minus. 1/2 ounce slow sink. But when you say snag the bottom do you mean hung up on grass/weeds or snagged where you can't get it free and have to break your line like youre stuck on wood?

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll definitely check it out. And I meant hung up on grass/leaves/weeds/etc. I've never had to break one off.

[FishDewd]

That's okay, rip it out of there! Might get a reaction bite if you're lucky.

[CroakHunter]

My suggestion would be to work it rod tip up like in the 10 o clock position  , and as soon as you feel it start to hang up, rip it hard straight up 2 times. Not only will this clear the debris from your bait it will create a reaction strike from the bass

[bobbyg]

7 minutes ago, CroakHunter said:

My suggestion would be to work it rod tip up like in the 10 o clock position  , and as soon as you feel it start to hang up, rip it hard straight up 2 times. Not only will this clear the debris from your bait it will create a reaction strike from the bass

I second this, I've caught many bass ripping a lipless through weeds.

[BrackishBassin]

Rip it through the weeds. Bassresource has a video discussing different set ups to use to do just that. It may sound weird, but I fish my lipless cranks (in one of the ponds I fish that is choked with underwater vegetation) on the same rod I use to fish my frogs. It’s a MH with 50lb braid. As soon as it gets hung, I can just pop the rod tip and it’s free again. I know it sounds weird to fish cranks on something that stout, but it’s the only way I can effectively fish that type of bait, or any bait with trebles, in that pond.

[GonzoFishing]

I use lipless cranks in small weedy ponds here in So.Florida with great success. Chuck it out, let it sinks a bit and start the retrieve. Caught my second best fish on a red rattle trap (7.4lbs). I hold the rod tip high and rip it off grass which does trigger a lot of bites.

[NYWayfarer]

13 hours ago, EGbassing said:

I decided to try out lipless crankbaits recently so I bought the strike king red eye shad. (2-tap version) On my first cast I caught a 2 - 3 pound bass.

Can't wait for my local pond to thaw out. First thing I throw before they stock it with Trout is a SK red eye shad or a Rat-L-Trap. I know the pond so well I know the spots where my lure can get snagged and avoid them.

[WRB]

The make a floating Rattle Trap.

Lipless lures don't dive deeper, if you want to run shallower start the retrieve the instant it hits the and hold the rod tip high.

Tom

[Catt]

Rattle Traps come in 1/8 - 1/4 oz, 1/8 - 1/4 oz spin trap (has a blade), & 1/3 oz floating traps.

[Bankbeater]

I rip them through the weeds, but if I really start picking up a lot, I’ll switch to a 1/4 oz size. 

[Peddiesake]

I bank fish a lot and here in Jersey we are muck bottom and 4-5 ' deep(PIA). In the last two days me and a bud caught 28 bass. We been using Rapala rippin rap 5. They weigh 5/16 oz. as others said keep tip high, engage on impact, slow pump yo yo. They usually hit on the drop. This is a two inch bait with tight wiggle that casts a long way. Bass can't hack it. Good luck