Spring Lipless Crankbait Fishing

In this article we will discuss methods on how to catch spring bass on a deadly bait called the lipless crankbait. I will explain retrieves, lures, and gear in order to better explain spring lipless crankbait fishing.

Retrieves

1. Hopping- Fish it like a jig by letting it fall and lift it and drop it. The fish hits hard and it is easy to do.
2. Burning- Cast it out and reel while burning and pausing.

Hopping Baits

Not all lipless cranks are alike. When hopping you need a bait that sinks fast while having good action. I prefer to have two types of cranks when hopping. One with a single knocker and one with rattles. I prefer rattles but change it up because there may be other fisherman fishing a single knocker or a rattling crank. My favorite rattling crankbait is the 6th Sense Snatch 70X Lipless Crankbait. It is great for hopping because of the shimmy on the way to the bottom and how heavy it is. For single knocker fishing I prefer the Jackall TN Disk Knocker.

Burning Baits

Typically I like to burn a lipless across grass. My favorite is the Strike King Red Eye Shad. It moves great through the water with good action. In pressured waters use the Strike King Red Eye Shad Tungsten 2 Tap. It has unique sound that gets bit in pressured situations. Another bait you can never go wrong with is the tried and true Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap.

Color

When burning baits in spring use a red crawfish color. It works great since crawfish are molting in early spring. For hopping use more of the natural baitfish colors. I am not going to over stress colors for spring since it so simple. Apply these techniques because they are proven to catch fish.

Gear

Rod– Use a medium heavy rod with a soft tip.

Reel– Use a 7:2:1 or a 8:1:1 gear ratio so it easier to burn the bait.

Line– Straight braid to leader works great. Use 30 lb braid and 12 lb mono leader.

Lures

Hopping Baits

1. 6th Sense Snatch 70X Lipless Crankbait (Wild Lava Craw, Threadfin Shad, Chrome Threadfin)
2. Jackall TN Disk Knocker Lipless Crankbait (Escape Craw, Sprinkle Wakasagi, SG Threadfin)

Burning Baits

1. Strike King Red Eye Shad (Blue Gizzard Shad, Sexy Shad, Delta Craw)
2. Strike King Red Eye Shad Tungsten 2 Tap (Delta Craw, Sexy Shad, Chrome Sexy Shad)
3. Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap (Chrome Blue Back, Chrome Shad, Delta Craw, Sexy Chrome, Honey Craw)