The lipless crankbait has become a primary weapon in every bass angler’s tackle box due to the versatility and effectiveness among predatory fish including largemouth bass, trout, pike, musky, and salt water species. Many anglers have dedicated lipless crankbait boxes on hand for year round bass fishing. I can’t tell you how many times a lipless crank bait was the missing piece of the puzzle on a slow day with slight wind and murky water. But what makes these lures so effective. In this article, we’ll dive into what sets bass off when presented with a lipless crankbait and why you should have one tied on year round.
Vibration And Sound Appeal
I’ve always said that lipless crankbaits make the perfect lure. They have a tight wobble and put out a strong vibration from a bebe chamber within. This balance of sound and movement mimics a bait fish and makes it deadly during cloudy days with poor visibility. Bass utilize a sensory perception along their lateral line that picks up vibration in the water. This perception helps them lock in on a target when their line of sight is compromised. Lipless crankbaits can be deadly year round due but no season is more effective then spring when bass begin migrating toward their spawning grounds. This is when bass fishing takes off. The rattle of a lipless crank rings like a dinner bell to a hungry predatory fish who spent the winter in the deep silence. The tight wobble action also plays a roll in the lure’s effectiveness. A lipless crank like the lucky craft LV 500 has a unmatched sound quality and diving depth of 15 feet which allows you to hold your lure in the strike zone longer.
Versatility
You won’t find a more versatile bass fishing lure than a lipless crankbait. You can retrieve it fast, slow, let it fall, or fish it along the surface. I like slow rolling it and then dead stopping it suddenly, then pick up the retrieve again. Bass become unglued when they see a directional change like a sudden twitch. Fishing lipless crankbaits in deep water is also effective. You can let the lure sink until it hits bottom. Then pull up quickly causing the crank to vibrate and wobble, then let it fall again – this is called “yo yo” retreive, or “jigging,” and its effective when game fish are oriented to the bottom. Its also a preferred method in cold water. Another way is to burn it fast through the center of the water column, which appeals to suspended fish. This method works well when retrieved at a high speed. The action mimics a panicked baitfish and causes bass to chase.
Long Range Casting And Retreival Speed
Bass anglers can cast a lipless bait long distances. The aerodynamic shape as well as the rattle system allow weight to be transferred and allows the lure to sore further than most baits. This allows anglers to cover large areas of water. Additionally, you can vary your speed in one retreive while having enough time to do so. You can burn it back, or fish it slow and target fish that are both aggressive or hesitant. Similarly, you can make a long cast across your strike zone and retrieve it back at the perfect depth.
Draws In Aggressive Fish Anywhere
Its no secret that a lipless crank is a deadly baitfish imitator. But it draws a powerful reaction bite from aggressive fish across most environments. Whether fishing in open water, deep ledges, shallow water, or imitating a small fish over thick aquatic weed, the sound and action triggers strong reaction bites. Wind and stained water are two components that make this bait shine. When active fish are limited in vision and forced to rely on vibration in dirty water, a lipped crankbait like a rattle trap in chrome and chartreuse pops out vividly and presents an easy- to-eat- meal that big bass can’t resist. Lipless crank baits are also effective around aquatic vegetation. The stream lined body allows it to slip through weeds. Bass anglers will this to their advantage by “ticking” the tops of the weeds. The sudden action of ripping a treble hook free causes a directional change and sets big fish off.
Year Round Fishing Lure
Whether fishing shallow grass in spring, or ice fishing, lipless baits have potential for any time or place. They excel in both clear water and murky water. There arent many baits anglers can say work as often and have the same level of versatility. You can jig them vertically verticllly in cold water, burn them back in summer, work them around grass, wood, and rock,, the possibilities are endless and catching bass was never easier. The color schemes are also designed to imitate year-round forage. Colors such as crawfish red and shad can be fished in spring while more muted natural colors can be used during the colder months and at a lower depth. They also have a good selection of weight and sound. A rattle bait with louder sound can be used during spring,summer, and fall. Heavier baits like the lucky craft LV 500 are heavier and designed to be retrieved at a lower depth.