Lipless Cranks

[Mottfia]

I live them on the river during the summer but they aren't my primary approach. I'll use them between targets when I'm running a bank that has alot of whatever pattern I'm running but spread out. I put my trolling motor on high and cruise along with it. Last year when I was fishing a little more I would come across a nice suspended fish from time to time. For me that is a great plus when I already plan to catch a solid limit with other approaches.

Mottfia

[Catt]

I'll try all of those! Thanks! Might pick up a rod for this....any recommendations? I saw an All Star AST rod made for this application on sale at FFO......might get it for $60 bucks....can't go wrong I suppose...

All Star Pro Series PR826C 6' 10” Medium Heavy Fast

[Punkinseedfyretailz]

i like to troll them in the summer. i also like to toss the in between two points or at the mouths of creeks, i do best on a straight slow retrieve. i prefer xcaliburs and aruku shads over the rest

[Punkinseedfyretailz]

lipless cranks are also deadly on pickerel and pike if you come across a few

[J Francho]

kneel-n-reel is another

Kneel and reel? With a trap? Why?

[Catt]

Kneel and reel? With a trap? Why?

Unlike most crank baits where you can obtain additional depth by making longer cast or by using lighter line lipless cranks will only run so deep. By using the kneel-n-reel technique I can obtain an additional 2-3’ while still maintaining a slow steady retrieve.

An absolute killer technique on pre-spawn bass on the Bend & Rayburn

[J Francho]

A lipless crank will simply fall to the bottom, no need to kneel. A lipped crank would gain additional depth by kneeling and reeling, with the rod tip submerged.

[Catt]

A lipless crank will simply fall to the bottom, no need to kneel. A lipped crank would gain additional depth by kneeling and reeling, with the rod tip submerged.

A lipless crank will fall to the bottom if not reeled & the pre-spawn bass will ignore it

While they are called a “lipless” crank the over shape of the lure causes it to dive slightly. At least this is true for Rat-L-Trap & Hot Spot.

If the lipless crank is constantly moved forward & the rod is below the surface it will have no choice but to run at the depth the rod tip is below the surface plus that of the head shape.

[J Francho]

That's cool if it works for you, it just isn't necessary. I guess my prespawn bass aren't that deep that I have to do that with a trap. Maybe it's because I use Spro Aruku Shads. There's three sizes, use the bigger bait if you need to increase speed or depth. Here's a nice prespawn bass caught on a Spro Aruku Shad. It was in about 12' of water.

[Catt]

It’s just completely necessary at least if you want to catch

If you look at the shape of the Rat-L-Trap from the line tie to the nose it is a diving plane but it will still only get so deep, by keeling your will be adding the additional depth from your rod tip to how ever deep you place your rod.

Down south the pre-spawn bass will often stage at a certain depth, say 10-12’ over a creek channel and they will not come up to hit your lipless crank but by kneeling-n-slow reeling a ½-3/4 oz traps I can get close enough to trigger strikes. Many will commit “why not throw a shallow crank” and the bass will tell you I want the flash, vibration, & noise of a Rat-L-Trap or Hot Spot.

[J Francho]

But they sink....just count them down, and reel it back. It's that simple. If you need more speed, go heavier with the bait.

[CWB]

Just put on the gloves and finish it already!

[Catt]

But they sink....just count them down, and reel it back. It's that simple. If you need more speed, go heavier with the bait.

On the Bend & Rayburn using that technique you will get skunked

It’s called rhythm; the bass want the lure at a certain speed that cannot be obtained any other way.

[J Francho]

I don't fish there. Is the water different there? Do traps not sink in the Bend? I really don't get what you're saying, or how kneeling changes anything. I'm the one having trouble understanding. It's OK, if I'm in the dark. I cast a trap out, let it sink to 20', and slowly reel it in. Kneeling doesn't get it any deeper. Waiting for it to sink does. I'm sure your right, too. It doesn't really matter that much. The OP and I fish the same waters, sometimes together, so maybe next time we can try a back to back comparison.

That reminds me Clayton, we got to get out on Erie sometime.....

[clayton86]

I'm down with fishing erie or where ever is cool with me the baby will be home tomorrow hopefully so maybe next week at the soonest and we'll try this kneeling thing lol

[Catt]

I hate to steal clayton86 so I’ll start a new thread on establishing the “rhythm” pattern when fishing lures.

[Diggy]

Lost my red eyed shad today on a patch of weeds. Will buy another tomorrow but it was a sad day for him. He will be missed as I lost him yesterday but was able to get him back, but now he is gone for good

I did find a spincast rod and reel today, so it was a fair trade off but Bubba will be missed. Ill buy another as stated before and I promise to love him just as much as the 1st one.