Best Lipless Crank

[wishin4fishin]

OK guys, point me in the right direction if this has been covered a million times already, but what are your favorite lipless cranks / traps.

I've mainly stuck to the Bill Lewis stuff and a few Rattl'n Rapalas. If I were to start shelling out a few more bucks for the Lucky Craft, Jackal and Megabass offerings, am I going to get significantly more strikes?

What about XPS? Strike King?

What do you guys like?

Again, sorry if this horse has been dead for a while, it's dead of winter here in KY, let's beat on it some more.

:

[Other.]

Yo-zuri Rattle n' vibe  is my favorite high dollar lipless crank.

[Micro]

The old reliables are still great.  Rat-L-Traps are hard to beat.  But I did buy a firetiger color recently and the finish feels sticky and it smells like paint.  Another had a crack in the seem on the bottom.  So QC could be better.

XCalibur XR75s are great.  I've caught quite a few fish on them.  Pearl Melon works well in clear water, chrome black in heavier stained/murkier water.   I bought a few in Foxy Shad sometime last year that I haven't used yet, but they ought to produce well, too.

As stated, Yo-Zuri Rattln Vibes are very good.   Yo-Zuri Hardcores are great too, especially for clear water with their matted, highly detailed finishes.  

I have some LCs that I haven't used yet.   But I expect great things from them.

The jury is still out on the new Rapala Clackin' Rap.  I bought a few.  they are big, heavy W I D E baits.  They look great and have fantastic hooks.  But they sink like a stone, nose first.  I'm sure they have a niche, but I haven't found it.  I like Rapalas, but their lipless designs have been wanting, IMO.  

[Stasher1]

The old reliables are still great. Rat-L-Traps are hard to beat. But I did buy a firetiger color recently and the finish feels sticky and it smells like paint. Another had a crack in the seem on the bottom. So QC could be better.

I've bought about a dozen Rat-L-Traps in the past year, and at least five of them have felt sticky. The finish is actually soft enough that I can see my fingerprints in the paint, but they seem to go away after they sit a while. They're still sticky, though. :-/

Don't have that problem with my Red Eye Shads, Aruku Shads, Frenzy Rattl'rs, or BPS Tri-Vibes.

[Stringjam]

"Best" lipless depends on where and how you will fish them.

If you fish them down drops and around rocky areas, you're going to want baits that can be worked very slowly, and also drop nose first (and preferably rest on their nose on the bottom).

Some good options here are the Jackall TN/70, Cordell Spot, and Aruku Shads from Spro.

Baits that don't work good for doing this kind of fishing are the XCalibur baits, Rapala, etc........they drop their action when you slow them down (an attribute I don't like all-around), and when they hit the bottom they just flop over on their side.

I'm not impressed with the Lucky Crafts I've tried (save the LV-O, which technically is a lipped bait), and I don't know anybody into lipless baits that likes the MegaBass VibX's. I usually reserve judgment until actually getting time in with a bait, but until I actually hear an experienced reviewer say something good about the MB, I'm gonna pass.

You'll be hard-pressed to find better all-around designs than the Jackall or the Cordell Spot. They'll cover almost anything. The Jackall also can be worked at incredibly slow speeds - - I mean CRAWLING.

I actually tested over 20 different vibes in a tank to observe their behavior and how much speed it took to actuate the lure. The Jackall is so bada$$ here.......it sits on its nose with the tail up in the air on the bottom, and with the slightest tug it springs to life with a tight, lively wiggle.....they nailed my idea of a perfect rock vibe.

Air Viper makes (made) a killer bait called a Risebacker. 3 different sound levels available, but my fav is the silent bait. It has a very slow drop rate and is my favorite for finesse cranking and shallow water. You'll see these pop up on eBay with regularity. It's a shame Air Viper went down - - their baits are outstanding in every way....they absolutely own most of the other Japanese vibes I've thrown.

Also have to give a shout-out to the Shimano Scorpion A.......it's a great burner/ripper with a really tight action.

[wishin4fishin]

"Best" lipless depends on where and how you will fish them.

If you fish them down drops and around rocky areas, you're going to want baits that can be worked very slowly, and also drop nose first (and preferably rest on their nose on the bottom).

Some good options here are the Jackall TN/70, Cordell Spot, and Aruku Shads from Spro.

Baits that don't work good for doing this kind of fishing are the XCalibur baits, Rapala, etc........they drop their action when you slow them down (an attribute I don't like all-around), and when they hit the bottom they just flop over on their side.

I'm not impressed with the Lucky Crafts I've tried (save the LV-O, which technically is a lipped bait), and I don't know anybody into lipless baits that likes the MegaBass VibX's. I usually reserve judgment until actually getting time in with a bait, but until I actually hear an experienced reviewer say something good about the MB, I'm gonna pass.

You'll be hard-pressed to find better all-around designs than the Jackall or the Cordell Spot. They'll cover almost anything. The Jackall also can be worked at incredibly slow speeds - - I mean CRAWLING.

I actually tested over 20 different vibes in a tank to observe their behavior and how much speed it took to actuate the lure. The Jackall is so bada$$ here.......it sits on its nose with the tail up in the air on the bottom, and with the slightest tug it springs to life with a tight, lively wiggle.....they nailed my idea of a perfect rock vibe.

Air Viper makes (made) a killer bait called a Risebacker. 3 different sound levels available, but my fav is the silent bait. It has a very slow drop rate and is my favorite for finesse cranking and shallow water. You'll see these pop up on eBay with regularity. It's a shame Air Viper went down - - their baits are outstanding in every way....they absolutely own most of the other Japanese vibes I've thrown.

Also have to give a shout-out to the Shimano Scorpion A.......it's a great burner/ripper with a really tight action.

Can't say I've ever seen this Shimano design Stringjam. Where can I find it? I didn't see it at ***, do you have an online source?

[djmax22]

Lucky craft LV500 (deep), Red Eye Shad, and BPS rattle traps are surprising good.

[wishin4fishin]

The old reliables are still great. Rat-L-Traps are hard to beat. But I did buy a firetiger color recently and the finish feels sticky and it smells like paint. Another had a crack in the seem on the bottom. So QC could be better.

I've bought about a dozen Rat-L-Traps in the past year, and at least five of them have felt sticky. The finish is actually soft enough that I can see my fingerprints in the paint, but they seem to go away after they sit a while. They're still sticky, though. :-/

Don't have that problem with my Red Eye Shads, Aruku Shads, Frenzy Rattl'rs, or BPS Tri-Vibes.

I wondered about this too. The last batch I brought home did the same thing to me - I noticed my thumbprint on the finish as I was putting them away. Hopefully doesn't affect too much as far as performance, but it sure makes you scratch your head.

[tritz18]

the XCalibur Xr50 Rattle Bait is a great choice, has alot of nice colors and is not as expensive as LC or Jackall.

[LooksLikeSinbad]

Yo-zuri Rattle n' vibe is my favorite high dollar lipless crank.

x2. I like the smaller size Rattlin' Vibe even better then the larger one. I also like the Yo-zuri Hardcore Drum:

[Boogey Man]

The XPS Rattle Shad is very good. It vibrates at lower retrieve speeds better than a Rattle Trap. Also, the BPS Tri-Vibes are good. They are the ones with three line ties so you can control the amount of vibration.

[Stringjam]

Can't say I've ever seen this Shimano design Stringjam. Where can I find it? I didn't see it at ***, do you have an online source?

There's usually a good selection of them on eBay from various Japanese retailers.......I don't believe Shimano markets them to the U.S. Price is usually from $7-$10.

[wishin4fishin]

Can't say I've ever seen this Shimano design Stringjam. Where can I find it? I didn't see it at ***, do you have an online source?

There's usually a good selection of them on eBay from various Japanese retailers.......I don't believe Shimano markets them to the U.S. Price is usually from $7-$10.

Detail is pretty amazing. I'll have to snoop around on FleaBay.

Thanks.

[Stringjam]

Detail is pretty amazing. I'll have to snoop around on FleaBay.

Thanks.

Keep your eye out and you can find some good deals on them.   These baits are also designed to nose-stand like the Jackall.  The action is more subtle and good for high speed.

[roadwarrior]

the XCalibur Xr50 Rattle Bait is a great choice

Blue Chrome/Orange...

http://www.***.com/descpageXCALLPSCRNK-XCRB.html

I have also had great days with the Rattln' Vibe.

[BassFishingMachine]

Well considering I have to deal with fishing 1-4feet waters in 85% of the fishing I am doing. My favorite lipless crank is a Lucky Craft Lv-0. I can work it in as shallow as 1 foot of water, and it still comes up weedless. I don't know, theres something about it that I believe keeps it swimming in the middle of the water column.

[BARON49_Northern NY]

My goto lipless baits now are Excaliber and Strike King Red Eye Shads.  I have a number of older Rattletraps I found that work and are in good shape that I save for special occasions. the newer ones just don't seem to have the quality anymore.

[Primus]

I enjoyed Stringjam's report, good stuff. I haven't tried the spro's yet but bought a few for next season. Last season was my first year using the Jackall & Red Eye shads and was very impresssed with both. I've made a lot of cast with the Yozuri Rattlin' Vibe over the years and I would definetly rate this as a 5 star bait. I was also impressed with the Sebile Flatt Shad, doesn't rattle and comes in transluscent colors, a great weapon for clear water spooky fish. Another one that's been productive over the years has been the Luhr Jensen Sugar Shad, reasonably priced rattler that I use in lakes that have a lot of Pike so it doesn't hurt so bad when I lose one.

[grimlin]

Anybody used the megabass veeper?

Got 2 of these 2 years ago....i really like the action on them.

[wishin4fishin]

I'm so glad I started the thread, I'm gettin tons of good opinions. Gotta love this forum.

[ww2farmer]

Since I started using Strike King Redeye Shads, my Rat-L-Trap collection has collected dust. I see ZERO reason to buy Rat-L-Traps anymore, the Redeye's are not that much more, catch fish better (IMHO) and already come with quality hooks. Plus I have not gotten a "dud" yet from Strike King, seems like Rat-L-Traps have more than the occasional poor product slip through Q.C.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Everyone bashing on rat-l-trap ;D..think about this rat-l-trap was the first lipless bait that actully made it to the point it is now. 2 rat-l trap sells more then all the others combined 3 They really do catch fish regardless of what they look like Ya i admit the hooks do need changing but then at least u can put what u like on um .

[Stingray23]

Rat-L-Traps are great. I always had success catching fish with them. I also like the SK red eyes and Rapalas.

[Stringjam]

think about this rat-l-trap was the first lipless bait that actully made it to the point it is now.

The Cordell Spot predates the 'Trap.

rat-l trap sells more then all the others combined

And Hannah Montana sells millions more albums than Stevie Ray Vaughn. Still doesn't make me want to listen to her.

I do agree with you on their fish catching ability....the design works well and has for years...I just believe there are better options.

[Bassaholic84]

Xcalibur and red eye shad.... The fall of the red eye shad is the selling point for it.  It has a wobble when it falls and if you yo-yo the bait it is deadly...The xcalibur IMO gives off lots of vibration and a nice tight wobble and is my favorite lipless even tho its about double the price of the ratltrap