Lipless crankbaits... size matters?

[Josh Bassman]

I'm looking to give lipless crankbaits a try. I'm thinking about starting with four (~$40).  

My question is what size 1/2oz or 3/4oz... or whatever... should I get? I fish a large deep reservoir with a lots of rocky points and underwater forest in one finger of the lake (trees didn't get cut down before the lake filled).

[Grey Wolf]

I use 1/2 , 5/8 , 3/4 oz. SOMETIMES 1/8 , 1/4 OZ. FOR SHALLOWER WATER.

[roadwarrior]

5/8 oz XCalibur Xr50 Blue Chrome/ Orange (Xr522)

http://www.xcaliburtackle.com/rattle.asp

8-)

[Koop]

I like XCal also, but usually throw 1/2oz.  This is a good weight to work in any depth.

[Steven Ladner]

Another vote for Xcalibur, anything from 1/4oz-1/2oz, depending on depth, etc.

[Josh Bassman]

5/8 oz XCalibur Xr50 Blue Chrome/ Orange (Xr522)

http://www.xcaliburtackle.com/rattle.asp

8-)

Thanks... Tackle warehouse has  good prices on xcals.

[roadwarrior]

I "collect" a lot of lipless cranks: Lucky Craft LV300 & Max 500,

Yo-Zuri Rattlin' Vibe & Drum, River2Sea, and Spro Aruku. I think

you would like them all!

8-)

[Josh Bassman]

I "collect" a lot of lipless cranks: Lucky Craft LV300 & Max 500,

Yo-Zuri Rattlin' Vibe & Drum, River2Sea, and Spro Aruku. I think

you would like them all!

8-)

Have you tried the rapala clackin' rap? Looks good, but I haven't used a lipless crank much... in fact hardly ever.

I do have one in the tacklebox, but hardly ever used it. It isn't a high quality lure, and runs funny... kind of on its side

I mostly use tubes and spinners. I'm committed to break out of my comfort zone, and trying new lures and techniques. It's hard when I can go out on my lake and catch fish the "old way", but I want to add the enjoyment of learning something new.

I caught a 4 lbs smallie on a speed trap up at trinity lake after throwing tubes all night without luck. A light went off in my head and now I'm determined to learn and add to my fishing arsenal.

[CHEVYRIDAZ]

5/8 oz XCalibur Xr50 Blue Chrome/ Orange (Xr522)

http://www.xcaliburtackle.com/rattle.asp

8-)

X2

This has been a HUGE producer for me!!

[skunked_again]

im to the point where i wont use anything under 1/2 oz.

like RW said, theres no right or wrong brand. i like the red eye shad and xcalibur.

[Stringjam]

There's a lot of good lipless cranks out there.....I have (had) over 20 different brands - from very expensive and rare designs, to cheap ones.    

Get a 1/2 oz. Cordell Super Spot to start with - and be prepared to be disappointed with baits that costs 2 or 3 times as much.  

For a bait that is good for dropping into deeper water, and can nose-stand on a rocky bottom (which is something you should consider given your set of conditions) you will find no better bait than the Jackall TN/70.  It's awesome.....very awesome - - and is one of the FEW expensive lipless cranks that I actually believe is worth the price.  It's not a very large bait, but it seems to have a pretty fast sink rate.

For a little bit less coin you can get a Spro Aruku Shad that will also do the nose dance and drop quickly.    

I dislike XCaliburs  - I find their action (what little of it there is) only works at fast retrieve speeds and completely dies if you slow it down, but a lot of people are successful with them, and success is something you can't argue with - - so take recommendations with a grain of salt and try out some different designs to see what works best for you.  

[Koop]

I dont like the clackin rap, well the bait is ok, I just hate the sure set hooks.

[sal669]

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but i have some questions about the subject. It might help other guys, too.

I don't fish lipless Cbs often;I didn't have to much success with them. I have some Rapalas, cordells and Xcaliburs, and all of them work at a pretty high speed. Are there any brands/models that work at LOWER speed/ retrieve???.I more often use "blade baits" like the Sonar and the BPS blade in situations where I could be better of using rattlers.

Am I doing anything wrong ??? Are this two baits "interchangeble"??

Thanx in advance for any input.

[skunked_again]

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but i have some questions about the subject. It might help other guys, too.

I don't fish lipless Cbs often;I didn't have to much success with them. I have some Rapalas, cordells and Xcaliburs, and all of them work at a pretty high speed. Are there any brands/models that work at LOWER speed/ retrieve???.I more often use "blade baits" like the Sonar and the BPS blade in situations where I could be better of using rattlers.

Am I doing anything wrong ??? Are this two baits "interchangeble"??

Thanx in advance for any input.

if youre asking if theres any lipless baits that work at low speeds my opinion is the opposite of stringjam. i have an excalibur that the nose is destroyed on because i bounce it at slow speeds off rocks all day. but then again to each their own.  

[Josh Bassman]

im to the point where i wont use anything under 1/2 oz.

like RW said, theres no right or wrong brand. i like the red eye shad and xcalibur.

Nothing under a 1/2 oz, why?

[Catt]

1/8-1 oz all have thier time & place  

[Stringjam]

Are there any brands/models that work at LOWER speed/ retrieve???.

Yes there are - and there are big differences in how well some lipless cranks work at low speeds compared to others.  

At one time, I tested all the different lipless cranks I had in a tank to see which ones required the least amount of movement to illicit the action.  

Long story short, the Jackall TN is pretty much the best.  It requires very little speed to get going.  Plus, when you stop the Jackall, it sits there on it's nose with the tail up in the air......try that with an XCalibur and it falls flat on it's side.   If you want to hop these things down rocks, it's no competition.  

As far as the lipless baits I tested that required the most speed to get moving -  it was the Rapala and the XCalibur.  At the speeds I could get the Jackall to wiggle, they would basically just glide through the water with no action at all.      

A plain old $2 Cordell Super Spot does a great job as well.

[Matt Fly]

1/8-1 oz all have thier time & place

+1

I think they all work and have they're place.    Just different tools of the tacklebox.    

   

[skunked_again]

im to the point where i wont use anything under 1/2 oz.

like RW said, theres no right or wrong brand. i like the red eye shad and xcalibur.

Nothing under a 1/2 oz, why?

well, i dont catch fish with them. maybe its me but i think the heavier baits have more action.

[seyone]

I noticed some of you say you use 1/2oz xCaliburs, What series are they? xr50 is 5/8, xr100 is 1, xr75 are 3/4??