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[striper15]

Just wondwering why do lipless crankbaits work so well in cold water during the winter/early spring? It seems to go against all teaching that bass slow down in cold water. That bait is noisy and fast, yet produces so well…

What are the best seasons/times to fish the lipless crank, or is it an all year bait??

Thanks so much for the help!

Eric

[Joshawa]

I would say that it is the versatility. They can be fished slowly and bounced off the bottom or burned back to the boat through grass, over rocks, or just under the surface. On the rivers around here you can catch fish consistently all year with a lipless using various retrieves.   

[NateG]

If you watched much of the classic coverage, you'd notice they were dragging the bait more so than reeling it...   Traps are very versatile and can be fished top to bottom.

[Rebbasser]

Definitely a year-round lure.  I have one tied on all the time.

[-Shawn-]

The reason thatthey work so good in the late winter Earlyspring is when bass are in a negative mood the only thing you can do is get a reaction strike out of them and Lipless are great for that. 

[Donald Garner]

I have one tied on all the time.

You can fish it from "Top to Bottom" Wake it or Drag it on the bottom.

[luvbassfishin]

Besides what has been said already it has a very tight wiggle wich will turn fish on in cold water compared to some crankbaits wich have a loose wobble.

[Ray Emory]

Lipless baits, wow they can be deadly in the early part of the season, Love to use them year round really but most of the times its early spring for sure. Between the vibration, rattle and just the eratic movements you can get out them they are great. 

[Baron49]

Been very cold here in Central Florida with water temps in the mid 50's for the most part.  Found some hydrilla beds and started casting Ratttletraps and Redeye Shads over the top of the hydrilla and tried to just tick the top of the weeds and then rip the bait free.  This has worked well to get a reaction strike out of these cold water fish.

[aaronis]

Lipless crankbaits really know how to piss bass off.  That is why they are so productive.  As you said they are noisy and fast.  It just pisses em off.  So they strike hard.  

[bassn1]

Definately a year round bait. Great search bait. The new electronis have sorta taken the place of the lipless cranks. For those who can afford them. Otherwise they will find active fish for you.

[basscatchin247]

Can be fished year around, but i prefer to fish the in the fall and late winter/early spring.

[tim4081]

I'll use throughout the year trying various retrieves....chrome/blue my favorite color.

[runthru402]

Definitely versatile. In spring the Bass have got to be on Seek And Destroy Mode for feeding, need energy for spawning, so they'll pretty much go after what they can get.  Always had more luck on a shad/baitfish type lure than a jig or worm.

[24/7bassin]

Plus a lipless crank will catch almost all types of fish in the water.  I have caught smallies, largemouth, and spotted bass, stripers, hybrids, catfish, drum and gar.  Not to mention that a lipless crankbait is my go to bait when the saugers aren't hitting the jigs or grubs I am throwing at them. 

Out of curiosity what is your alls favorite make or brand of lipless cranks?  I really like the good old Rattle Traps and the Cotton Cordell Super Spot.  I have caught a lot of fish off the BPS tournament style lipless baits that are only $1.99. 

For me, the lipless crankbait is a BIG confidence bait.  If nothing else is working and I am feeling down, I can tie on a lipless crankbait and catch some fish and feel good about myself again!

[hpdi200]

I like the One Knocker by excalibur, 3/4 oz. I have always had great sucess on it fishing Lake Guntersville. We were down there last weekend, water 49- 54 degrees. They liked it alot

[runthru402]

Plus a lipless crank will catch almost all types of fish in the water.  I have caught smallies, largemouth, and spotted bass, stripers, hybrids, catfish, drum and gar.  Not to mention that a lipless crankbait is my go to bait when the saugers aren't hitting the jigs or grubs I am throwing at them. 

Out of curiosity what is your alls favorite make or brand of lipless cranks?  I really like the good old Rattle Traps and the Cotton Cordell Super Spot.  I have caught a lot of fish off the BPS tournament style lipless baits that are only $1.99. 

For me, the lipless crankbait is a BIG confidence bait.  If nothing else is working and I am feeling down, I can tie on a lipless crankbait and catch some fish and feel good about myself again!

Whatevers cheap and has decent hooks,  makes me not feel so bad when I throw them in tight places and they don't come back.

[screwballl]

I had a chance to use the red eye shad Strike King lipless this past weekend on lethargic post-cold bass... got a few nips at it but no takers... so I will definitely try it more when it warms up here

[tim4081]

While I haven't done much with traditional cranks (my resolution this year is to learn how to fish these effectively), I have had alot of success with the lipless lures....mostly traps and spots with chrome blue the best color.  tried red eye shads last year with no luck.  going to try yozuri's version this year as well as a small profile spro I found at gander mtn. a few days ago.  the water here has finally softened and since I have tomorrow off work it will be the first day of fishing this year....can't wait!!

[calbass]

Red eye sexy shad, got a 6lbser last week!!!

[NateG]

I prefer Red Eye Shads and Excalibur XR- 50's, both are very similar in size and shape.  I have also caught a bunch of fish on the Strike King Diamond Shad in one particular blue/ chartruese combo.