Best Lipless Crank 2024

wishin4fishin reply :

OK guys, point me in the right direction if this has been covered a million times already, but what are your favorite lipless cranks / traps.

I've mainly stuck to the Bill Lewis stuff and a few Rattl'n Rapalas. If I were to start shelling out a few more bucks for the Lucky Craft, Jackal and Megabass offerings, am I going to get significantly more strikes?

What about XPS? Strike King?

What do you guys like?

Again, sorry if this horse has been dead for a while, it's dead of winter here in KY, let's beat on it some more.

Other. reply :

Yo-zuri Rattle n' vibe is my favorite high dollar lipless crank.

Micro reply :

The old reliables are still great. Rat-L-Traps are hard to beat. But I did buy a firetiger color recently and the finish feels sticky and it smells like paint. Another had a crack in the seem on the bottom. So QC could be better.

XCalibur XR75s are great. I've caught quite a few fish on them. Pearl Melon works well in clear water, chrome black in heavier stained/murkier water. I bought a few in Foxy Shad sometime last year that I haven't used yet, but they ought to produce well, too.

As stated, Yo-Zuri Rattln Vibes are very good. Yo-Zuri Hardcores are great too, especially for clear water with their matted, highly detailed finishes.

I have some LCs that I haven't used yet. But I expect great things from them.

The jury is still out on the new Rapala Clackin' Rap. I bought a few. they are big, heavy W I D E baits. They look great and have fantastic hooks. But they sink like a stone, nose first. I'm sure they have a niche, but I haven't found it. I like Rapalas, but their lipless designs have been wanting, IMO.

Stasher1 reply :

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The old reliables are still great. Rat-L-Traps are hard to beat. But I did buy a firetiger color recently and the finish feels sticky and it smells like paint. Another had a crack in the seem on the bottom. So QC could be better.

I've bought about a dozen Rat-L-Traps in the past year, and at least five of them have felt sticky. The finish is actually soft enough that I can see my fingerprints in the paint, but they seem to go away after they sit a while. They're still sticky, though. :-/

Don't have that problem with my Red Eye Shads, Aruku Shads, Frenzy Rattl'rs, or BPS Tri-Vibes.

Stringjam reply :

"Best" lipless depends on where and how you will fish them.

If you fish them down drops and around rocky areas, you're going to want baits that can be worked very slowly, and also drop nose first (and preferably rest on their nose on the bottom).

Some good options here are the Jackall TN/70, Cordell Spot, and Aruku Shads from Spro.

Baits that don't work good for doing this kind of fishing are the XCalibur baits, Rapala, etc........they drop their action when you slow them down (an attribute I don't like all-around), and when they hit the bottom they just flop over on their side.

I'm not impressed with the Lucky Crafts I've tried (save the LV-O, which technically is a lipped bait), and I don't know anybody into lipless baits that likes the MegaBass VibX's. I usually reserve judgment until actually getting time in with a bait, but until I actually hear an experienced reviewer say something good about the MB, I'm gonna pass.

You'll be hard-pressed to find better all-around designs than the Jackall or the Cordell Spot. They'll cover almost anything. The Jackall also can be worked at incredibly slow speeds - - I mean CRAWLING.

I actually tested over 20 different vibes in a tank to observe their behavior and how much speed it took to actuate the lure. The Jackall is so bada$$ here.......it sits on its nose with the tail up in the air on the bottom, and with the slightest tug it springs to life with a tight, lively wiggle.....they nailed my idea of a perfect rock vibe.

Air Viper makes (made) a killer bait called a Risebacker. 3 different sound levels available, but my fav is the silent bait. It has a very slow drop rate and is my favorite for finesse cranking and shallow water. You'll see these pop up on eBay with regularity. It's a shame Air Viper went down - - their baits are outstanding in every way....they absolutely own most of the other Japanese vibes I've thrown.

Also have to give a shout-out to the Shimano Scorpion A.......it's a great burner/ripper with a really tight action.

wishin4fishin reply :

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"Best" lipless depends on where and how you will fish them.
If you fish them down drops and around rocky areas, you're going to want baits that can be worked very slowly, and also drop nose first (and preferably rest on their nose on the bottom).

Some good options here are the Jackall TN/70, Cordell Spot, and Aruku Shads from Spro.

Baits that don't work good for doing this kind of fishing are the XCalibur baits, Rapala, etc........they drop their action when you slow them down (an attribute I don't like all-around), and when they hit the bottom they just flop over on their side.

I'm not impressed with the Lucky Crafts I've tried (save the LV-O, which technically is a lipped bait), and I don't know anybody into lipless baits that likes the MegaBass VibX's. I usually reserve judgment until actually getting time in with a bait, but until I actually hear an experienced reviewer say something good about the MB, I'm gonna pass.

You'll be hard-pressed to find better all-around designs than the Jackall or the Cordell Spot. They'll cover almost anything. The Jackall also can be worked at incredibly slow speeds - - I mean CRAWLING.

I actually tested over 20 different vibes in a tank to observe their behavior and how much speed it took to actuate the lure. The Jackall is so bada$$ here.......it sits on its nose with the tail up in the air on the bottom, and with the slightest tug it springs to life with a tight, lively wiggle.....they nailed my idea of a perfect rock vibe.

Air Viper makes (made) a killer bait called a Risebacker. 3 different sound levels available, but my fav is the silent bait. It has a very slow drop rate and is my favorite for finesse cranking and shallow water. You'll see these pop up on eBay with regularity. It's a shame Air Viper went down - - their baits are outstanding in every way....they absolutely own most of the other Japanese vibes I've thrown.

Also have to give a shout-out to the Shimano Scorpion A.......it's a great burner/ripper with a really tight action.

Can't say I've ever seen this Shimano design Stringjam. Where can I find it? I didn't see it at ***, do you have an online source?

djmax22 reply :

Lucky craft LV500 (deep), Red Eye Shad, and BPS rattle traps are surprising good.

wishin4fishin reply :

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The old reliables are still great. Rat-L-Traps are hard to beat. But I did buy a firetiger color recently and the finish feels sticky and it smells like paint. Another had a crack in the seem on the bottom. So QC could be better.

I've bought about a dozen Rat-L-Traps in the past year, and at least five of them have felt sticky. The finish is actually soft enough that I can see my fingerprints in the paint, but they seem to go away after they sit a while. They're still sticky, though. :-/

Don't have that problem with my Red Eye Shads, Aruku Shads, Frenzy Rattl'rs, or BPS Tri-Vibes.

I wondered about this too. The last batch I brought home did the same thing to me - I noticed my thumbprint on the finish as I was putting them away. Hopefully doesn't affect too much as far as performance, but it sure makes you scratch your head.

tritz18 reply :

the XCalibur Xr50 Rattle Bait is a great choice, has alot of nice colors and is not as expensive as LC or Jackall.

LooksLikeSinbad reply :

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Yo-zuri Rattle n' vibe is my favorite high dollar lipless crank.

x2. I like the smaller size Rattlin' Vibe even better then the larger one. I also like the Yo-zuri Hardcore Drum:

Boogey Man reply :

The XPS Rattle Shad is very good. It vibrates at lower retrieve speeds better than a Rattle Trap. Also, the BPS Tri-Vibes are good. They are the ones with three line ties so you can control the amount of vibration.

Stringjam reply :

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Can't say I've ever seen this Shimano design Stringjam. Where can I find it? I didn't see it at ***, do you have an online source?

There's usually a good selection of them on eBay from various Japanese retailers.......I don't believe Shimano markets them to the U.S. Price is usually from $7-$10.

wishin4fishin reply :

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Can't say I've ever seen this Shimano design Stringjam. Where can I find it? I didn't see it at ***, do you have an online source?

There's usually a good selection of them on eBay from various Japanese retailers.......I don't believe Shimano markets them to the U.S. Price is usually from $7-$10.

Detail is pretty amazing. I'll have to snoop around on FleaBay.

Thanks.

Stringjam reply :

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Detail is pretty amazing. I'll have to snoop around on FleaBay.

Thanks.

Keep your eye out and you can find some good deals on them. These baits are also designed to nose-stand like the Jackall. The action is more subtle and good for high speed.

roadwarrior reply :

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the XCalibur Xr50 Rattle Bait is a great choice

Blue Chrome/Orange...

http://www.***.com/descpageXCALLPSCRNK-XCRB.html

I have also had great days with the Rattln' Vibe.

BassFishingMachine reply :

Well considering I have to deal with fishing 1-4feet waters in 85% of the fishing I am doing. My favorite lipless crank is a Lucky Craft Lv-0. I can work it in as shallow as 1 foot of water, and it still comes up weedless. I don't know, theres something about it that I believe keeps it swimming in the middle of the water column.

BARON49_Northern NY reply :

My goto lipless baits now are Excaliber and Strike King Red Eye Shads. I have a number of older Rattletraps I found that work and are in good shape that I save for special occasions. the newer ones just don't seem to have the quality anymore.

Primus reply :

I enjoyed Stringjam's report, good stuff. I haven't tried the spro's yet but bought a few for next season. Last season was my first year using the Jackall & Red Eye shads and was very impresssed with both. I've made a lot of cast with the Yozuri Rattlin' Vibe over the years and I would definetly rate this as a 5 star bait. I was also impressed with the Sebile Flatt Shad, doesn't rattle and comes in transluscent colors, a great weapon for clear water spooky fish. Another one that's been productive over the years has been the Luhr Jensen Sugar Shad, reasonably priced rattler that I use in lakes that have a lot of Pike so it doesn't hurt so bad when I lose one.

grimlin reply :

Anybody used the megabass veeper?

Got 2 of these 2 years ago....i really like the action on them.

wishin4fishin reply :

I'm so glad I started the thread, I'm gettin tons of good opinions. Gotta love this forum.

ww2farmer reply :

Since I started using Strike King Redeye Shads, my Rat-L-Trap collection has collected dust. I see ZERO reason to buy Rat-L-Traps anymore, the Redeye's are not that much more, catch fish better (IMHO) and already come with quality hooks. Plus I have not gotten a "dud" yet from Strike King, seems like Rat-L-Traps have more than the occasional poor product slip through Q.C.

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

Everyone bashing on rat-l-trap ;D..think about this rat-l-trap was the first lipless bait that actully made it to the point it is now. 2 rat-l trap sells more then all the others combined 3 They really do catch fish regardless of what they look like Ya i admit the hooks do need changing but then at least u can put what u like on um .

Stingray23 reply :

Rat-L-Traps are great. I always had success catching fish with them. I also like the SK red eyes and Rapalas.

Stringjam reply :

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think about this rat-l-trap was the first lipless bait that actully made it to the point it is now.

The Cordell Spot predates the 'Trap.

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rat-l trap sells more then all the others combined

And Hannah Montana sells millions more albums than Stevie Ray Vaughn. Still doesn't make me want to listen to her.

I do agree with you on their fish catching ability....the design works well and has for years...I just believe there are better options.

Bassaholic84 reply :

Xcalibur and red eye shad.... The fall of the red eye shad is the selling point for it. It has a wobble when it falls and if you yo-yo the bait it is deadly...The xcalibur IMO gives off lots of vibration and a nice tight wobble and is my favorite lipless even tho its about double the price of the ratltrap

NOVA Angler reply :

My Rat-L-Traps are also being replaced by the Red Eye Shad and I loved my Rat-L-Traps. I have one of the Lucky Craft lipless cranks in American Shad and it is probably one of the most realistic looking baits I have ever used. Last year when I was on Kerr Lake I snagged a small shad and side by side the resemblence was unbelieveable. The only bad thing I have to say about this bait is that it doesn't seem to have much action/vibration. If you took that paint job and put it on the Red Eye Shad you'd have one hell of a bait.

Micro reply :

Stringjam, if you like lipless cranks that nose-stand and have a good fluttering action at slow speed, try the Yo-Zuri Hardcore. It's amazing in that respect. If the Jackall is as good, the Jackall must be stupendous. For slow speed work, the Hardcore is my favorite. I'll have to try the Jackall, though.

moloch16 reply :

I too have replaced Rat-L-Traps with Red Eyes. I have one very old Rat-L-Trap that looks like it was hit by a truck and then drug behind it for 30 miles. Yet it will catch fish like crazy. New Rat-L-Traps are a joke. The company really must take a hard look at the quality of their baits or they will disappear.

MALTESE FALCON reply :

For many years the Rattlin Rapala was my only lipless crankbait, and I caught ALOT of fish with them. Last year I got a few XCalibur Xr50's, and Red Eye Shads. I had fantastic success with each bait. I would probably give the edge to the XCalibur, but just slightly.

Falcon

ejtaylor822 reply :

Rattlin' Rapala in Baby Bass color.

Anxious to get my hands on and throw the new Clackin' raps.

Brad_Coovert reply :

There are a lot good lipless baits, but do not use just one brand. They all have a different sound and vibration.

I've had days when type of bait outfished another in same size and color 6 to 1.

Lucky Craft LV300N, LV200, LV500 and LV-0

Pradco's Cordell Spots in 1/4 and 1/2 oz.

Pradco's Xcalibur Xr and XrK series baits in 5/8, 3/4 and 1 oz. sizes

SPRO Arukushads in 60, 75 and 85 MM sizes

SK Red Eye Shads 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 oz.

I will use all of these throughout the year and they all catch fish.

Brad

Jake. reply :

I need to fish lipless cranks more this year. For now my favorite is the LC LV-100. I'm going to try some Jackall, Ima and Spro this year and see how I like them.

jimmieO reply :

I jumped on the strike king red-eye bandwagon as soon as KVD started pumping them up. They are no doubt awesome and I have never had a problem with one straight out of the box like I have with some other brands......

However, the most productive trap I have found FOR THE LAKES THAT I FISH has been....get ready......the H2O xpress lipless crankbaits. I think probably the color has the most to do with it for me. Its got just a splash of silver/chrome on the belly and fades to blue toward the topside.

CWB reply :

Redeye Shad in Chrome Sexy Shad.

Have not used anything else since trying these.

rayrock99 reply :

Yo-zuri rattlin vibe gets my vote.

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Best Lipless Crank 2024

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