Lipless Crankbait Tricks + Blade Bait Tips For Spring Bass Fishing!

These two baits catch TONS of BIG Bass in Spring! The lipless crankbait is a staple in most angler's Spring bass fishing arsenal, but very few understand the late season effectiveness of the blade bait. Both options can produce incredible results in Spring and you should fish them with confidence!

Today we're heading down the rabbit hole of lipless and blade baits. Tim begins with a surface level approach, recommending a couple baits for all-around success, but it doesn't take long before we're looking at niche baits, detailed color analysis, and in-depth descriptions of how big bass stage in Spring.

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits, and our favorite gear to throw them. We've included favorite colors, hook upgrades, and more. All of the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

BOTTOM CONTACT LIPLESS CRANKBAITS...

•Lucky Craft LV500: https://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad

•Jackall TN Series: https://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Size: 70, 60

Today's Colors: SS Shad, SG Threadfin, Blueback Chrome

TRADITIONAL LIPLESS CRANKBAITS...

•Bill Lewis Rattle Trap: https://bit.ly/2gm8CjC

Size: 1/2 oz

Colors: Chrome/Black, Ghost Minnow, Strawberry Craw

•Cotton Cordell Super Spot: https://bit.ly/2y3K210

Colors: Rayburn Red, Royal Red, Chrome/Blue

•Nomad Swimtrex Max: https://bit.ly/3SjrDWD

Size: 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz

Today's Color: Threadfin Shad

•Duo Realis Apex Vibe: https://bit.ly/4brSaIk

Size: 1/2 oz - 1 oz

Colors: Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow, Sangria Craw

•Bill Lewis Hammer Trap: https://bit.ly/3Uk0Ri1

Size: Chrome Gizzard, Silverado, Rayburn Red

BLADE BAITS...

•Damiki Vault: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Size: 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz

Color: Black Holo, Real Shad, Holo Ayu

•Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Size: 1/2 oz

Color: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad, Setsuki Ayu

HOOK UPGRADES BY BAIT...

Split Rings– Owner Hyperwire: https://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Size: 3

•TN 70/LV500 Hooks– Gamakatsu EWG: https://bit.ly/2DCOlmV

Size: 4

•TN 60 Hooks– Owner ST–35: https://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

Size: 6

•Swimtrex Max/Blade Bait Hook– BKK Spear EWG: https://bit.ly/3PiUjM7

Size: 6 (Front), 8 (Back)

•Round Bend Hooks– Owner ST 36: https://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

Sizes: 4, 6

LIPLESS STORAGE BOX...

•Plano 3700 Standard Box: https://bit.ly/2t3uHMR

FAVORITE LIPLESS COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 855C CBR: https://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (17 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

MID PRICED LIPLESS COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Tournament Carbon Cranker: https://bit.ly/3Iow9KV

Reel– Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line– Sufix 131 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (17 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

BUDGET LIPLESS COMBO...

Rod- Shimano SLX A 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX A 150 (HG): https://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline FC 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

BUYER'S GUIDE: CRANKBAIT FISHING ( Squarebill, Deep Diver, Lipless, Rods )

Today's Buyer's Guide is all about crankbaits! We're taking this giant lure category and breaking it down into segments that are easy to understand. From cold water speed cranking baits, to wide wobbling Summer baits, we’re showing you our favorite crankbaits for every season, at all the major depth ranges!

Crankbait fishing is a giant category, as witnessed by several of our recent seminar–style videos on the subject (linked below). You can stand in front of the crankbait wall at your local tackle shop and your head will spin as you try to figure out what to use. Or, you can simply watch this video and let us show you exactly how we’ve narrowed it down over the years. We’re eliminating all the guess work and showing you our favorite baits from each major category.

Below you'll find links to the exacts baits and gear discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes and colors for each, as well as the exact rods we throw them on. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDES...

•Casting Reel Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/EHi18PwH4mU

•Hard Swimbait Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/g314S4ZyT6g

•Tackle Storage Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/m30hnkoqHBc

•Bait Finesse Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/bEXFgo5YaRU

•Jerkbait Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/o8C9jW4Lxtk

CRANKBAIT SEMINAR VIDEOS...

•Speed Cranking Tricks For Fall And Winter Bass: https://youtu.be/j2WEBHrcsXI

•Everything You Need To Know About Squarebills: https://youtu.be/ISAGu--xg3g

•Lipless Crankbait Tricks You Need To Try: https://youtu.be/kLAIZu7OoMk

SQUAREBILL CRANKBAITS...

•Bill Lewis ATV 1.5: https://bit.ly/41o3ctj

Colors: Red Glitter Craw, Tennessee Shad

•Rapala OG Rocco: https://bit.ly/3PHvNCI

Colors: Bruised Citrus Shad, Red Crawdad

FLAT SIDED CRANKBAITS...

•Spro Little John: https://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Colors: Blood Craw, Chrome Olive, Matte Shad

•Shimano Macbeth Flat: https://bit.ly/3QNYS1g

Colors: Clear Green Craw, Sleeper Shad

SHALLOW CRANKBAITS...

•Damiki BTC 50: https://bit.ly/3OVb3Lc

Colors: Real Shad, Mossy Shad

•Shimano Macbeth Shallow: https://bit.ly/48m3ch1

Colors: Ghost Shad, Sleeper Shad

LIPLESS CRANKBAITS...

•Lucky Craft LV 500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Colors: American Shad, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow

•Jackall TN Lipless: https://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Sizes: 60 and 70

Colors: Ghost Minnow, RT Scale Minnow, SG Threadfin

•Bill Lewis Rat–L–Trap: https://bit.ly/2gm8CjC

Colors: Cali Craw, Ghost Minnow, Sexy Chrome

SPEED CRANKBAITS...

•R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: True Shad, Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow

•Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

Colors: Ito Wakasagi, MB Gizzard, Tora Zari

MID DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•Rapala DT 8: https://bit.ly/40JmoBQ

Colors: Green Gizzard Shad, Live River Shad, Delta

•Spro Rock Crawler 55: https://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

Colors: Red Crawfish, Phantom Green

DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•Nomad D–Trak 80: https://bit.ly/3MRvMxz

Colors: Natural Threadfin, Brown Craw

•Rapala DT 16: https://bit.ly/42ITxNr

Colors: Green Gizzard Shad, Rootbeer Crawdad

BIG DEEP DIVERS...

•Azuma Z Boss 22: https://bit.ly/3J05uHl

Colors: Grand Shad, Hot Mess, Goldie Lox

•Azuma Z Boss 24: https://bit.ly/3oKifPk

Colors: Grand Shad, Hot Mess, Goldie Lox

•Strike King 10XD: https://bit.ly/2gHT4F0

Colors: Powder Blue Back Chart, Sexy Blue Back Herring

FAVORITE SPEED CRANKING COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

FAVORITE FLAT SIDE COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Levante Flat Side Special: https://bit.ly/2FdE3YY

Reel– 13 Fishing Concept C2 (7:1): https://bit.ly/2NlzZhg

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

LIPLESS CRANKBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line– Sufix 131 (40 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader– Sunline Saltimate System Shock (16 lb): https://bit.ly/3oT1oq2

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Lipless Crankbait Tricks You Need To Try!! ( Stop Losing Fish! )

Lipless Cranks are amazing!! Today we're showing you all the tricks you need to know! These crankbaits catch great numbers of fish and they catch giant bass too! They can be hopped, ripped, or steady retrieved in open water, around cover, or along the bottom. With so many ways to fish them its easy to get lost, but not after today!

The lipless is one of our favorite bass fishing techniques. It shines in the Spring and Fall but can catch fish any time of year. Our two main methods are hopping the baits on bottom (what we're doing today) and steady retrieving them in the middle of the water column. The two methods utilize completely different baits and today we're explaining why.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite colors for each, the rods and reels we use to fish them effectively, and the components we upgrade to keep our fish hooked. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

THE BAITS...

•Jackall TN Lipless: https://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Sizes: 60 and 70

Today's Colors: SS Shad, SG Threadfin, Blueback Chrome

•Nomad Swimtrex Max: https://bit.ly/3SjrDWD

Size: 1/2 oz

Today's Color: Threadfin Shad

•Lucky Craft LV 500: https://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad

•Bill Lewis Rat–L–Trap: https://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Size: 1/2 oz

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Summer Sexy Shad

HOOK UPGRADES BY BAIT...

Split Rings– Owner Hyperwire (Size 3): https://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

•TN 70/LV500 Hooks– Gamakatsu EWG (Size 4): https://bit.ly/2DCOlmV

•TN 60 Hooks– Owner ST–35 (Size 6): https://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

•Swimtrex Max Hook– BKK Spear EWG (Size 6): https://bit.ly/3PiUjM7

TIM'S LIPLESS COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 855C CBR: https://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line– Sufix 832 Braid (30 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae93Ji

Leader– Maxima Ultragreen (15 lb): https://bit.ly/2ae97J9

MATT'S LIPLESS COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Tournament Carbon Cranker: https://bit.ly/3Iow9KV

Reel– Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line– Sufix 131 Braid (40 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Leader– Sufix Advance Mono (17 lb): https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

BUDGET LIPLESS COMBO...

Rod- Shimano SLX A 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX A 150 (HG): https://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline FC 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Speed Cranking Tricks For Fall And Winter Bass!

This is the future of crankbait fishing! Don't miss the boat! Speed cranking is completely changing how anglers fish in the Fall and Winter! We used to think of the cold water months as slow periods but not anymore. Grab a speed crank, a high speed reel, and burn up that cold water! Let's go!!

The concept of triggering a feed response in a bass is not new, but the reality of being able to do it in the coldest water temperatures of the year is amazing! Winter fishing is a lot more fun when you're burning a bait instead of finesse fishing. Not only will this method of fishing catch bass all Winter, it is capable of catching the biggest bass in the lake!

Below you'll find a breakdown of the exact baits, colors, hooks, and equipment we use to fish these baits effectively. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS...

•R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Colors: Golden Ghost Minnow, True Shad, Green pumpkin Craw

•Megabass Deep X 300: https://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

Colors: MB Gizzard, Sexy Ayu, PM Kisyu Ayu

•Megabass Deep Six: http://bit.ly/2A3clKP

Colors: Ito Wakasagi, MB Gizzard, Tora Zari

•Duo Realis G87 20A: https://bit.ly/2Jh4ktg

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Morning Dawn, Green Smelt

FLAT SIDED BAITS...

•Rapala Ott's OG Slim 6: https://bit.ly/3pV1CLN

Colors: Live River Shad, Red Crawdad

•Spro Little John: https://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

Colors: Blood Craw, Chrome Olive, Spooky Shad

•Shimano Macbeth Flat: https://bit.ly/3QNYS1g

Colors: Clear Green Craw, Sleeper Shad

HOOK AND SPLIT RING UPGRADES...

•Owner ST–35 Treble: https://bit.ly/2g8uCMj

•Gamakatsu EWG Treble: https://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

•BKK Spear EWG 71 SS: https://bit.ly/3PiUjM7

Split Rings– Owner Hyperwire: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Size: 2 or 3

STOCK HOOK SIZE BY BAIT...

Size 2: Tactical DD 75, Deep Six, G87 20A

Size 3: OG Slim 6

Size 4: Deep X 300

Size 6: Macbeth Flat, Little John

PLIERS...

•Split Ring Pliers – Texas Tackle: https://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0

Size: Executive

•Tuning Pliers – Rapala Mag Spring Pliers: https://bit.ly/3xJFwTu

Size: 6"

CRANKBAIT LINES...

Braid– Power Pro Maxcuatro: https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Fluorocarbon – Sunline Crank FC: https://bit.ly/3fohguC

Tinted Fluorocarbon – Daiwa Hidden: https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0

FAVORITE SPEED CRANKING COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

FAVORITE FLAT SIDE COMBO...

Rod– Megabass Levante Flat Side Special: https://bit.ly/2FdE3YY

Reel– 13 Fishing Concept C2 (7:1): https://bit.ly/2NlzZhg

Line– Sunline Crank FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3fohguC

BUDGET FRIENDLY CRANKING COMBO...

Rod– Daiwa Tatula XT Glass 7' Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/46t66yR

Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT (7:1): https://bit.ly/35hugfH

Line– Daiwa Hidden FC (12 lb): https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz