I’ve lengthy been a spoon man for walleye underneath the ice, however with every passing winter I turn out to be more and more keen on the lipless crankbait. The motion and vibrations of those exhausting baits are distinct from different displays and catch walleye from first ice to the season’s finish.
Lipless crankbaits get seen
There’s a lot to love about lipless crankbaits. Their rattling chambers and hard-vibrating motion create commotion good for attracting walleye.
A loud lipless crankbait’s means to attract a walleye from far-off makes it good for fishing flats. Right here, walleye are sometimes cell and chasing faculties of wandering perch and different forage.
Walleye may be underneath your ice gap, then gone in moments. A lipless crankbait piques their curiosity, retains their consideration, and shortly triggers strikes.
This unfolded many instances final winter utilizing a two-and-a-half inch Rapala Rippin’ Rap. What was significantly fascinating was observing walleye behaviour utilizing Garmin’s Panoptix LiveScope.
Many fish I caught on flats got here in scorching. A number of shortly approached from the facet, swimming from greater than 12 ft away to assault. I at all times knew lipless cranks had drawing energy however witnessing it utilizing the newest ice fishing tech solidified my appreciation for these rattle baits.
Along with the Rippin’ Rap, different productive baits embody the Livetarget Golden Shiner, Jackall TN/60, and Yo-Zuri Rattl’N Vibe, and 3DS Vibe.
Superior for protecting water
Having the ability to entice walleye shortly is advantageous past fishing flats. As in hotter months, a lipless crankbait excels when looking for walleye and making an attempt to place a sample collectively. Factors, mid- lake humps, drop-offs in entrance of bays, and feeding cabinets are all areas to make use of these lures.
Response strikes? Sure please!
Walleye are not often nibblers with a lipless crank. Fish are inclined to scream in and smash the bait. Match their enthusiasm along with your jigging cadence by steadily working the bait and elevating it within the water column (learn on for specifics). Aggressive fish wish to chase. Hold the bait inside their strike zone whereas persevering with to maneuver it teasingly away from the fish, identical to a baitfish making an attempt to flee. This tactic drives walleye loopy.
Jigging strokes
A lipless crankbait’s attraction lies in its vibration signature and its tight wiggling swim and shimmying fall. These are simple to attain following a typical lift-fall jigging sequence.
A elevate of 1 to 2 ft will entice fish. Lengthy strokes additionally attraction to aggressive walleye.
Shorter snaps shifting the bait 4 to eight inches are additionally potent, particularly with smaller lipmuch less fashions. Utilizing a double snap whereas elevating the rod is one other dependable mixture.
Because the bait falls remember to comply with it by reducing the rod tip. Staying in touch with the bait this manner helps detect a strike on the drop. How a lot line rigidity is required will fluctuate. Sure baits carry out finest when allowed to fall on semi-slack line. Others roll unattractively and must be lowered on a managed drop.
A fundamental lift-fall sequence is usually all it takes for aggressive walleye to chew. When fish want convincing, bear in mind to attempt the keep-away transfer malestioned earlier. If this doesn’t work, shaking a lipless crankbait so it rattles and rocks can seal the deal.
Typically walleye choose the bait shaking at a relentless depth. Different instances shaking whereas elevating your arm to tug the bait away heightens curiosity and makes walleye pounce.
Don’t overlook lipless crankbaits. These horizontal baits are nice for protecting water and set off massive bites all winter lengthy.
For any energetic fish
At 21 ⁄2 to three inches, these horizontally oriented, extensive profile baits have a meal-sized attraction. They’re popu- lar on Bay of Quinte, Lake Winnipeg, and different trophy walleye fisheries.
After all, it’s not simply massive walleye that eat these baits. I’ve caught aggressive walleye of all sizes jigging a lipless crankbait. Even pint-sized fish.
Smaller, softer-spoken
When fish are impartial, use a extra refined mannequin of bait. The two inch Rapala Slab Rap and 15 ⁄8-inch Yo-Zuri Rattl’N Vibe Mini may be significantly good throughout robust situations. You may also land jumbo perch and slab crappie with these.
Initially printed within the Jan.-Feb. 2024 problem of Ontario OUT of DOORS
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