Lipless Crankbait Technique

Lipless crankbaits have flat sides, most commonly weigh 1/2 ounce, and are one of the best lures to use for covering water. That is because their aerodynamic shape lends itself to long casts. As a result, bass fishermen often use them when searching for concentrations of active bass along areas such as drop-offs and weed edges.

  1. Equipment

    • Long fishing rods are best for fishing lipless crankbaits because they allow anglers to fling the baits far, and they also make it less likely that a hooked fish will come unhooked. Select a medium-action fishing rod that measures about 7 feet in length. Ten-pound test monofilament line is a good fishing line option. You can use either bait-casting or spinning equipment to fish lipless crankbaits.

    Casting

    • Cast the bait to areas that are likely to hold bass. Vast weed beds are especially productive spots for fishing lipless crankbaits, as are long drop-offs. Some anglers use them to locate fish along shallow, shoreline areas, while others use them along the edges of main-lake humps and reefs.

    Retrieve

    • The most basic way to retrieve lipless crankbaits involves casting the lure out and retrieving it back at a steady speed. While that retrieve can be effective, it is best to experiment with a variety of retrieves. Try reeling the lure fast so it swims just below the surface, or fishing it slowly just above the bottom or the top of vegetation. One of the most productive things anglers can do when retrieving lipless crankbaits is to bump the bait into cover. If you are fishing a weed bed, for example, allow the lure to tick the top of the weeds. When it makes contact with the weeds, rip the rod tip forward. The erratic action likely will provoke a strike.

    Hook-set

    • Lipless crankbaits often generate hard strikes. When a fish hits, sweep your rod tip away from the fish to tighten the line. Continue reeling so the line does not go slack. As you fight the fish, keep your rod tip as close to the water as possible. Doing so reduces the likelihood that the fish will jump, which is when many fish come unhooked.