Bass Fishing HomeBass Fishing Forums

Go Back   BassFishin.Com Forums > Serious Conversation Only > Techniques, Strategy & Presentations

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 08-11-13, 11:47 AM   #1
keithdog
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
keithdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: IN
Posts: 8,308
Default About lipless cranks

I have several lipless cranks and use them from ice out to near spawn time. But once the spawn is over, they rarely see any use until the following spring. I'm wondering if I am making a mistake. I guess the reasoning for this is it seems the only time you read about them being used in magazines and on line is during spring time. I never see anything about their use once the spawn is on. You see the pros using them a lot during early to mid spring, but I never see them use them after that.

This morning I was thinking about my area lakes. The fishing this year has been far less than stellar, and I blame it on the extremely heavy weed kill the Conservancy Districts performed on all the area lakes, which has made it hard to find any healthy live weed beds anywhere, and the decaying matter is still clouding up the water something awful. My lakes are generally fairly clear, but this year, visibility is about 18 inches or so. Maybe a little more depending on what part of the lake you are fishing. Finding fish under these conditions is pretty darn tough. They are smaller natural lakes which are not stream fed. There are no old road beds, rock piles, river channels, etc that you would see on man made impoundments. Therefore, weed beds are the main structures that hold the fish. Without the weed beds, knowing where to start is more guess work than anything else. The bass I have found are few and far between. Find a lay down and you'll only find one or two bass at best. So this morning, I was thinking about what would make a good search bait for these conditions. So far crank baits and spinner baits have been the best producers. But then I had a thought.

Why not throw a brightly colored lipless crank. Maybe chrome/black back for example. With the flash and vibration of all those noisy bb's, maybe that would be the ticket. Then I started thinking, maybe lipless cranks are not a one season and done lure. Maybe I am dropping the ball by not using them more often throughout the year. The only time I have used them in the summer is when I see bass chasing schools of shad or bait fish at the surface. Am I missing out on some thing, or do you put your lipless cranks away after the spring fling?
__________________
Just one more cast, and then some!
keithdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-13, 12:23 PM   #2
nobass
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: clarksville, tn,
Posts: 1,690
Default

i fish them in the spring like you. during the summner i really do not use them. but i will always have one tied on in sept thur nov. i use it for fishing the jumps. i throw 1oz chrome and black or blue . i use that heavy of one so i ca throw it a mile to hit the jumps. if i don't they will go down by the time i get there. it is a killer bait . i just throw a rattle trap. has always work for me if it ain't broke don't fix it
__________________
the only easy day was yesterday
nobass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-13, 01:53 PM   #3
bassinbob
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
bassinbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Pitts. Pa.
Posts: 3,801
Default

I use them year around. Work excellent snagging submerged grass and ripping free. I have good luck with them on the outside of pad fields.
__________________
you can have my fishin rod when ya take it from my cold dead hands
bassinbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-13, 02:00 PM   #4
bassboogieman
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
bassboogieman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Parkesburg, Pa.
Posts: 3,762
Default

Spring and fall for me. Summer I don't even think about them - maybe that's a mistake...
bassboogieman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-13, 03:00 PM   #5
keithdog
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
keithdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: IN
Posts: 8,308
Default

Part of the trouble with me using them year round is that the milfoil grows so think and to or near to the surface that a lipless cranks wouldn't stand a chance. But with the heavy weed kill this year, that shouldn't be an issue.
__________________
Just one more cast, and then some!
keithdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-13, 04:14 PM   #6
lilmule
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lilmule's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Buchanan,Tn
Posts: 2,685
Default

Agreed in thick weeds not an option,yet I use them year round chrome n blue lazer eye is one the best baits one can use on ky lake.I also use pointer in american shad and the one knocker,while they are at their best in spring,they can be used as a search bait for either bass or grass,fall and schooling what is the dicfference in a trap retrieved quickly with rod held high over a speed shad or trap?We as anglers place a + on square or flat cranks yet put the trap away,same thing bump it into bridge pilings etc.I have floating traps that work well on suspending bass,yes with and without diving lips,they run about 3 ft at best when without yet work well.So give some a try when doldrums hit and cant get bit,drag it across a flat,rip it out of thin grass,bump it into pilings.
I have one tied on in every T,and every time I go out.
lilmule is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-13, 06:15 PM   #7
Dave63
BassFishin.Com Active Member
 
Dave63's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Farmersburg, IN
Posts: 341
Default

They work good on schoolies and when the shad are all balled up in the fall, too.
__________________
Tavery 5: The monkey does not discriminate
Dave63 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-13, 07:47 PM   #8
Possum
BassFishin.Com Member
 
Possum's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: northern MS & TX
Posts: 61
Default

I too have on tied on year round. As said before, thick grass, weeds and pads are not the places you want to throw lipless, but cast parallel to a weed or grass line, especially if there is deeper water close by has been productive for me. It causes a reaction strike for those fish waitin' just inside the line of vegetation.

Plus, these things cast a mile and will cover alot of water at any depth.
__________________
That's not a backlash, my spool just sneezed.
Possum is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-13, 09:51 AM   #9
MIbasser
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
MIbasser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Okemos, MI
Posts: 1,447
Default

I use them from my first outing unitl my last outing. It's a great search bait and fish will eat it all the time. I just change colors most of the time from spring to summer to fall.
MIbasser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-13, 01:48 PM   #10
Bassboss
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
Bassboss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Shawano, WI
Posts: 7,761
Default

Never had much luck on them after spring... but that's only because it gets to weedy once late spring and summer get here!

As far as being an effective search bait in the murky conditions I think it's worth a shot! I do however think that they are a little fast moving for a bass to get a good look at one to hit it, but it can't hurt! They also pick up weeds like no other, so if not productive in finding fish, you could just have some luck finding the weeds!
__________________
If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.
Bassboss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-13, 07:40 PM   #11
lilmule
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lilmule's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Buchanan,Tn
Posts: 2,685
Default

Yes it will find weeds,yes fast its a reaction strike,drag one across a mud flat,or toss a country mile,ive given up the smaller ones use mostly 3/4 and 1 oz pointers and 1 oz 1 knockers,throw on 30 pd braid as dont want a wiper to swipe one.It can and will bring in a 35- 40 pd black drum.
lilmule is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-13, 07:50 PM   #12
Embrey
BassFishin.Com Veteran Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 505
Default

any fish on ky lake will eat these things all year. lol. i dont even tie them on around home unless its spring.
Embrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-13, 07:02 PM   #13
Rebbasser
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
Rebbasser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 10,141
Default

I have a dedicated Trap rod that always has one tied on. The lakes I fish really don't have the weed growth-in fact very little-so it is always worth making a few casts with one. Regardless of the time of year it is a great search bait.
__________________
It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3
Rebbasser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-13, 04:41 AM   #14
pig n jig
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
pig n jig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Avoca, NY
Posts: 3,508
Default

I love traps for year round fishing. The thing for fishing traps in cold water or clear water is you will usually want to be putting some speed to the retrieve and during the summer try slowing down the retrieve. Traps and grass are the ticket, find deeper grass that you can fish over the tops of or downsize to 1/4 oz. trap and it will usually tick over the tops of the weeds on the retrieve.I like red, orange colored traps in the spring, chrome/blue, chrome blk when it's sunny, white traps when its cloudy and overcast. Chartreuse traps burned over grass for smallmouths.Red eye traps for yo yo retrieve or when your dropping down primary points with a slow retrieve. Red zone or floating traps during the summer around inside or outside weed edges.switch up brands when your catching fish, noise difference usually picks you up a couple more bites.I like gold tinted colored traps in fall. Baitfish don't usually swim in a straight line, don't be afraid to move your rod tip around as you retrieve your trap. The closer you fish to grass with a trap, the greater the chance of having success with them.I always have 2 trap rods one with 14 lb test for regular traps and 10 lb test for 1/4 oz. traps. You can use 14 with a 1/4 to fish it, the thicker line will make it ride higher in the water column for fishing over weeds. You can remove the rear hook and put a small willow leaf on it like the Lewis spin traps. That allows to fish higher through the water column at a slower pace. On cloudy overcast days, I like a darker colored trap with a dressed tail rear treble hook.
pig n jig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-13, 12:20 AM   #15
Rebbasser
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
Rebbasser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 10,141
Default

Well, look who showed up. Great to see you, Ivan!

Forgot to say that for all around, year long fishing-especially when it is sunny-a chrome/blue back Trap is tough to beat.
__________________
It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3
Rebbasser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-13, 07:58 PM   #16
pig n jig
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
pig n jig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Avoca, NY
Posts: 3,508
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rebbasser View Post
Well, look who showed up. Great to see you, Ivan!

Forgot to say that for all around, year long fishing-especially when it is sunny-a chrome/blue back Trap is tough to beat.
Rod,It is good to see you posting here. Yes a chrome /blue and a gold trap is all you really need. Buy a couple different brands in those 2 colors and you will catch fish.Chrome for sunny days, gold for low light conditions.There is one more and that is the #27 Lewis trap for the spring time.I don't know what there is about that one, it flat out works in clear water during the spring. They discontinued #27 for quite a while and it was a struggle trying to find an alternative that worked nearly as well.
pig n jig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-13, 08:57 AM   #17
lilmule
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
lilmule's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Buchanan,Tn
Posts: 2,685
Default

I make my own remove rear treble and place a willow leaf on,and if one uses braid can run even higher in the water column.Grass is almost topped down south like 1 ft to 1.5 under the water and can run an altered trap like that burning it between grass and top,willow leaf creates lift.
lilmule is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-13, 07:50 PM   #18
MallenManson
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
MallenManson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Beulah, Michigan
Posts: 6,431
Send a message via Yahoo to MallenManson
Default

I'm in the same boat as you Keith.
I fish the hell out of em in the Spring, but it seems like once they're done suspending on the ledges.....it's all over for lipless
__________________
Bass fear me.
Women pepperspray me.....
MallenManson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-13, 08:18 PM   #19
DVT Mike
BassFishin.Com Active Member
 
DVT Mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Milford,PA
Posts: 312
Default

Traps are good right now when the schooling smallies are crashing baitfish. As the water continues to cool I fish them like spoons.
__________________
Visit us at www.delawarevalleytackle.com
DVT Mike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-13, 08:30 PM   #20
Rebbasser
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
Rebbasser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 10,141
Default

Guys, now that the first fronts of fall are starting to blow through it is time to pull out those lipless baits if you haven't already. Once the water temp starts to fall they start feeding to fatten up for the winter. Match the hatch, throw shallow and hang on!
__________________
It's happened to the best of them: John 21:3
Rebbasser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-13, 09:44 PM   #21
3dkicker
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
3dkicker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Spotsylvania, VA
Posts: 4,483
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pig n jig View Post
They discontinued #27 for quite a while and it was a struggle trying to find an alternative that worked nearly as well.
Check with a local retailer that sells them and ask if they can contact the distributor or call the company. From what I know they will custom paint any color you want. You may have to buy 10 or more but it might be worth it if it's a color you know works. Local small retailer gets a custom color done from the factory every spring.....and no I'm not telling the color either.



I used to hate the stupid baits and would throw them and hang them up and lose them. Never caught a fish. Then I got one from a client, had it custom painted (Padilla's Nightmare), and started catching fish on them. Would catch most species on them throughout the year. Now I pretty much have one rigged up all year long.
__________________
Smitty
www.smittystubes.com
3dkicker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-13, 04:47 PM   #22
pig n jig
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
pig n jig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Avoca, NY
Posts: 3,508
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 3dkicker View Post
Check with a local retailer that sells them and ask if they can contact the distributor or call the company. From what I know they will custom paint any color you want. You may have to buy 10 or more but it might be worth it if it's a color you know works. Local small retailer gets a custom color done from the factory every spring.....and no I'm not telling the color either.



I used to hate the stupid baits and would throw them and hang them up and lose them. Never caught a fish. Then I got one from a client, had it custom painted (Padilla's Nightmare), and started catching fish on them. Would catch most species on them throughout the year. Now I pretty much have one rigged up all year long.
They are making the #27 color again.They were out when I ordered but will be ordering again soon.I picked up a 6th sense 70 FRS trap.They look good, took it to the pond to swim it and it has great vibes on the fall with a faint rattle.It came with decent hooks but I always use Lucky craft trebles on them so I replaced them.I've got to get their blue gill color when I send for the #27 Lewis traps.
pig n jig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-13, 01:28 PM   #23
Raul
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,030
Default

My lipless crank season begins Jan 1 and ends Dec 31, how about that ?
Raul is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-13, 07:20 PM   #24
MallenManson
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
 
MallenManson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Beulah, Michigan
Posts: 6,431
Send a message via Yahoo to MallenManson
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Raul View Post
My lipless crank season begins Jan 1 and ends Dec 31, how about that ?
Hmmm....maybe I have been too limited in my lipless throwing??????
__________________
Bass fear me.
Women pepperspray me.....
MallenManson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-13, 12:19 PM   #25
OkobojiEagle
BassFishin.Com Active Member
 
OkobojiEagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NW Iowa
Posts: 270
Default

How large of a selection of traps do you "devotees" carry? I believe in 1/4oz & 1/2oz in a high flash (blue back/silver sides), low flash natural color (painted bluegill or shad) and a high contrast bright (firetiger). That covers it for me.

oe
OkobojiEagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Disclosure / Disclaimer
Before acting on the content posted, you should know that BassFishin.Com may benefit financially and otherwise from content, advertising, links or otherwise from anything you click on, read, or look at on our website. Click here to read our Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer.


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:11 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2013 BassFishin.Com LLC