Lipless Crank Baits

[jbasscus]

Hey everybody, new to the forum and this Is Is my first post.

I've just recently started fishing with Lipless Crank Baits (SPRO Aruku Shad and X-Calibur). I have been doing really well with them but seem to loose alot after hooking up. Is this just the nature of the baits or Is there a secret I should know about??

Thanks

jbasscus

[burleytog]

Nature of the bait.  Try swapping the stock #6 on the back of the xr50 with a #4 (same size as the front hook).

[jbasscus]

Thanks Burley, On my way to BPRO now. I will grab some #6 hooksd

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

8-)

[jrhennecke]

It is the nature of the bait.  Try using the set-loc hooks like the ones that come on Rat L Traps.  I have had much better success with them.

[Grey Wolf]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What kind of rod & reel & line do you use to fish your lipless baits with ?

[jbasscus]

Bass-Brat,

I use a bait casting rig, with power pro 15 lb braid.

[=Matt 5.0=]

Welcome to the forums!

I change all my crankbait hooks out with Gamkatsu. They are evil....

[alger319]

try some line with stretch..p-line 15lb or any fluro for that matter, and as burley said the hooks ->get bigger ones

[jrhennecke]

I use mono for my lipless fishing.  I tried fluro and I think like the problem you are going to have with braid is you are ripping the hook right out of the bass's mouth.  I think a 10 or 12# test mono would be what you would want to use.

[jbasscus]

Thanks for all the advice and the warm welcome.  I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to any baits other than senko's. I've got alot to learn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Joel W]

One trick I've found that really works with lipless cranks is removing the trailing hook. My hook up ratio is even better then when I used a trailing hook, and it's a lot easier to rip the lure out of the weeds after you've ticked them. When the Bass strike, they shallow the whole lure. Give it a try.

[Grey Wolf]

Bass-Brat,

I use a bait casting rig, with power pro 15 lb braid.

I have a st. croix fiberglass rod that I use for baits with treble hooks. It's a med. power , moderate action 6' 6" length. Having a rod with a softer tip helps to land the fish when you are using treble hooks.

I usually change the stock hooks with VMC barbarians and I usually go up one size in hooks.

In my opinion I think I land more fish with this set up but you will still loose some fish , it is just the nature of the bait.

[HesterIsGod]

Change your line. Use fluorocarbon or mono, more stretch and less visibility. Give the fish a chance to swallow the bait by using a stretchy line.

[jjbassjj]

i can say that spros aruku shad is my favorite hard bait!

i fish them on a 6'6" medium power, moderate action shimano compre rod and a 7.1:1 BPS extreme reel. i really like the faster retrieve with lipless cranks(i use a 5.1:1 with regular cranks). I fish it on 12 lb. suffix elite.

The aruku shad is my #1 prespawn bait as well. The lipless crank bite will get real good when the waters in the mid to upper 50's.

[burleytog]

Thanks Burley, On my way to BPRO now. I will grab some #6 hooksd

You want a bigger hook on the back.  The xr50 comes with a 4 up front and a 6 in the back.  Remove the 6 (don't throw away, it's a good hook), replace with a quality 4 (Owner ST36, Mustad Triple Grip, etc).

[Bass XL]

Try using the set-loc hooks like the ones that come on Rat L Traps. I have had much better success with them.

Agreed.

[GitRDoneIke23]

Try using the set-loc hooks like the ones that come on Rat L Traps. I have had much better success with them.

Agreed.

X3

[HesterIsGod]

Try using the set-loc hooks like the ones that come on Rat L Traps. I have had much better success with them.

Agreed.

X3

Yeah you gotta replace the crappy hooks that come on rattle traps, and those are a good option.

[Willzx225]

I agree with all of the comments but really believe that the soft action rod is the real key.  It does two things. First when the fish does bite and you set the hook, it allows the fish to get the bait deeper since the tip gives a little before you actually put pressure on the fish.  Secondly, after you have the fish on it allows more give when that fish either jumps or makes a hard surge.  I would go with mono in open water applications like flats w/o grass but would go with fluro in grass situations to allow to rip the bait free easier.  Some use braid but I seem to always hear them talking about loosing fish more so than mono users.

[MALTESE FALCON]

Welcome to the best fishing site on the net.

Unfortunately, losing fish with lipless crankbaits is nature of the beast. I've been using Mustad Triple Grips, and it does seem to help.

Falcon

[bedman]

May I also suggest that you keep the rod low and to the side when fighting the fish instead of keeping the rod high.  A lot of people are taught to "keep the rod tip up".  This pulls the fish to the surface where he can jump and throw the hooks.  I try to keep the rod to the side with pressure and wear the fish down without it jumping when fishing baits with a treble hook.  It doesn't always work, but it's something else to try.  

I agree with most of the posts suggesting a line with more stretch and a more forgiving rod.

[vtspinnerb8t]

In my experience, when fishing shallow grass flats,  I try to vary retrieves as with most retrieve baits, but I find more importantly when it comes to equipment setup, a 7' medium rod with a light tip allows you to pull through heavy heavy grass better and may give you an advantage for getting bites.  It is a fun bite to get, they absolutely hammer it.  Be sure to experiment with different baits due to the overall size differences from various manufacturers.  Not all 1/2oz. lipless baits are equal.  Also, try

I agree with keeping the rod low when you fight fish, as I usually rip to the side also, as opposed to vertically.  You may find it keeps the fatigue down at the end of the day and when you are cranking fast in a schooling situation this works well because you already have the rod low and in position to set the hook.

[vtspinnerb8t]

Also, try baits where the line tie may be placed differently on the bait.  Placement can make a difference when the grass is thick as to how the bait comes through the grass.

[Grey Wolf]

May I also suggest that you keep the rod low and to the side when fighting the fish instead of keeping the rod high. A lot of people are taught to "keep the rod tip up". This pulls the fish to the surface where he can jump and throw the hooks. I try to keep the rod to the side with pressure and wear the fish down without it jumping when fishing baits with a treble hook. It doesn't always work, but it's something else to try.

I agree with most of the posts suggesting a line with more stretch and a more forgiving rod.

A very excellant point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!