4 Lipless Crankbait Tricks For Springtime Bass Fishing

Prespawn Bass and Lipless crankbaits go hand in hand! After a long Winter of slow fishing its hard to imagine anything better than burning a lipless across shallow flats in search of big prespawn bass! Its ability to cover water quickly combined with amazing drawing power should put the lipless crankbait at the top of your list in Spring. In today's video Tim teaches two different approaches to lipless fishing and gives some bonus tips along the way that you don't want to miss. 

When you hear the words "lipless crank" most anglers envision burning traps in shallow water, usually around grass beds. This method is so deadly on Spring time bass that its engrained in the minds of bass fishermen everywhere. However there is a second way to fish these baits that is often overlooked and typically catches even bigger fish than the burning method! The slow hop elicits strikes unlike any other lure we've ever encountered. It requires very specialized lipless baits to achieve the right action but once mastered, its amazing the caliber of fish you can catch. 

Both methods should have a place in your arsenal. Both will work on any given day so we're typically prepared with both styles of lipless tied on. While both the burning and hopping styles are done with lipless crankbaits, the similarities end there. You'll want different lures, different weights, and even different line to really dial in the patterns. Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment by style. 

Lipless For Hopping... 

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

(Ghost Minnow, Spring Craw, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad)

-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

(Escape Craw, Super Shad, SG Threadfin)

-Jackall TN-70 Disk Knocker: http://bit.ly/2wuc9Y0

(Escape Craw, Sprinkle Wakasagi, SG Threadfin)

-6th Sense Quake 70: http://bit.ly/2Kxt4zm

(Shad Hammer, Shad Scales, Delta Craw)

Shallow Burners... 

-Strike King Red Eye Shad: http://bit.ly/2fqX1RT

(Blue Gizzard Shad, Sexy Shad, Delta Red)

-Strike King Red Eye 2-Tap: http://bit.ly/2gmACC5

(Delta Red, Sexy Shad, Chrome Sexy Shad)

-Cotton Cordell Super Spot: http://bit.ly/2y3K210

(Royal Red, Rayburn Red, Chrome Blue)

Hook Upgrades... 

-Gamakatsu EWG Black Size 4: http://bit.ly/2DCOlmV

-Owner ST-56 Treble Size 4: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

-Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 3 and 4): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Favorite Crankbait Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Crankbait Tricks For Spring Bass Fishing (Everything You Need To Know)

No secrets are safe in today's in-depth look at Spring crankbait fishing! From shallow square bills to deep diving cranks, from bright red crawdad colors to water temperatures, nothing is sacred in this video! If you want to catch more bass on crankbaits, this video is for you. Learn how to adapt your crankbaits with water temperature, phase of the spawn, and weather. Crankbaits constantly catch giant bass for the angler that knows how to adapt to changing conditions, you're about to become that angler!

Crankbaits have an incredible ability to TRIGGER a feed response in bass. When a bait is fished properly and deflected off cover a bass is triggered at a core level. They simply have to bite, regardless of mood. Understanding how to apply that information to your fishing will change your entire crankbait fishing experience. Learning when to change diving depths, sizes,  and colors, will take it to the next level. 

In today's video Matt shares the 6 categories of crankbait the Tactical crew uses in Spring. He focuses on 5 of them in this video and Tim will follow up shortly with the 6th. Below you will find a breakdown of those 5 main categories, Matt's best confidence baits for each category, recommended colors, and so much more. 

Related Crankbait Videos... 

-TacticalBassin's New Cold Water Crankbait: https://youtu.be/HAtzFASSeGY

-Cold Water Crankbait Tricks For Big Bass In Winter: https://youtu.be/G-DR1mmX9d8

Deep Diving Crankbaits... 

-River2Sea Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

(DD Minnow, Natural Gill, Blood Craw, Ghost Minnow)

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

(Fire Craw, Sexy French Pearl, MB Gizzard, M Western Clown)

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

(Fire Craw, Threadfin Shad, Sexy French Pearl, Ito Wakasagi)

Mid-Depth Diving Crankbaits... 

-Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN

(Red River Craw, Red Crawfish, Nasty Shad)

-Strike King 3XD: http://bit.ly/2oSMj8s

(Clearwater Minnow, Delta Red, Chili Craw)

-Norman DLN (Deep Little N): http://bit.ly/2acSLUd

(Clearlake Crystal Craw, Red Black Craw, Texas Shad)

Squarebills... 

-River2Sea Biggie Poppa: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

(Cold Blooded, Delta Craw, Abalone Shad, TS Minnow)

-6th Sense Crush 100: http://bit.ly/2HbaCGT

(Shad Scales, Shad Greens, Boiled Crawfish)

-Spro Little John 50: http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

(Blood Craw, Spooky Shad, Matte Shad, Chrome Olive)

-Lucky Craft 1.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

(Golden Shiner, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow, TO Craw)

Bigger Squarebills... 

-Lucky Craft BDS 6: http://bit.ly/2sRZby9

(Golden Shiner, TO Craw)

-6th Sense Mini Mag: http://bit.ly/31KGyeC

(Craw Bomb, Shad Scales, Ghost Shad Scales)

Magnum Squarebills... 

-Lucky Craft Magnum 110: http://bit.ly/2yaomxB

(Chartreuse Shad, Flake Flake Striped Gill, Nasty Bluegill)

-6th Sense Cloud 9 Magnum Silent: http://bit.ly/31J4Mr5

(Baby Crappie, Shad Treuse, Cajun Gill)

-6th Sense Cloud 9 Magnum: http://bit.ly/31EZooR

(Shad Sense)

7' Crankbait Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

7'6" Crankbait Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Large Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'6" Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

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

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel...

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Crankbait Tricks For Winter and Early Spring Bass Fishing!

You've been going to slow! High Speed Burner Reels in Winter? Really? Oh that's just the beginning... Come along for a day on the water with Matt and Tim as they burn crankbaits and draw reaction strikes from bass in 46 degree water. The guys hold nothing back as they teach how to trigger a feeding frenzy with the Tactical DD Crankbait. 

Winter was always considered a slow fishing period. Many anglers Winterize their boats and give up completely. Unbeknownst to the masses some of the best fishing of the entire year exists in the dead of Winter. By experimenting with a new style of fishing we've been able to consistently trigger reaction bites from the coldest of bass under the harshest of conditions. They key is a combination of speed, sound, and action. 

In November of 2019 we released the Tactical DD Crankbait with River2Sea. This crank is designed for these exact cold water conditions. It sold out immediately and has been nearly impossible to find ever since. Today the crankbaits are back in stock so we headed out on the water to teach you exactly how to use them. Don't settle for one bass here or one bass there, its time to trigger a feeding frenzy in cold water!

Below is a breakdown of the baits, colors, equipment, and upgrades we use to maximize our time on the water with the crankbait. 

Our Crankbait... 

-River2Sea Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Today's Colors: Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow

Other Great Cold Water Crankbaits... 

-Spro RK Crawler 55: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

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

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

-6th Sense Curve 55: http://bit.ly/37hZ1TD

Favorite Colors by Bait... 

Tactical: Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow, Glass Minnow, Ghost Minnow

Deep X 300: Stealth Craw, Sexy Ayu, Megabass Sexy Shad

Deep Six: MB Gizzard, Shadow Craw, Ito Wakasagi

RkCrawler: Missouri Craw, Phantom Brown, Red Crawfish

Curve 55: Craw Bomb, Ghost Missouri Craw, Red Claw

Hook And Component Upgrades...

Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire Size 3: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Hooks- Owner ST-56 Size 4: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

(These hooks are smaller than "stock" but work extremely well)

Braid Rod/Reel Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Fluorocarbon Rod/Reel Combo... 

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

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget-Friendly Rod/Reel Combo... 

Rod- St Croix Bass X 7'2" MH Moderate: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Cold Water Crankbait Tricks For Big Bass In Winter

Stop missing the best bite of the year for big bass! Forget the spawn, set the jig aside, let's talk about how to catch giant bass with crankbaits in cold water! Triggering a feed response in bass can be done at virtually any temperature when you have the right tools. Once you understand which baits emit the right frequencies and how quickly to fish them, catching a big bass is as easy as casting and retrieving, with a few hard pops, snaps and rips thrown in for good measure.

Matt and Tim recently released their Tactical DD Crankbait to specifically target big Winter bass. This bait is incredibly easy to fish, comes in cold water specific color patterns, and has produced giant catches all over the country. Smallmouth, Spotted Bass, and giant Largemouth have all fallen prey to its high speed vibration..

While the guys built this bait specifically for cold water versatility, they also recognize that a variety of other baits are great for Winter bass. TacticalBassin has and always will be about quality, honest information. With that in mind, Matt and Tim would never turn their back on the other proven cold water producers.

In today's video Matt shows a variety of proven cold water crankbaits, how to fish them, then goes in depth with retrieves and equipment. If you're tired of finesse fishing in Winter, this video is for you! Below you'll find a breakdown of the baits and equipment along with explanations of when each bait shines.

Tactical Crankbait Release Video: http://bit.ly/2XC3Zq4

Baits…

River2Sea Tactical DD Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

-This bait shines in a variety of water temperatures. While designed for cold water it also excels in warm water around baitfish. The primary benefit of this bait is its ability to be fished effectively throughout the water column. It deflects extremely well, allowing it to be fished shallow. It also dives quickly and reaches far deeper depths (18+ feet) than other baits of its size.

Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

-Most anglers use this bait for Smallmouth. While it is an amazing bait for smallies (note the 6 lber Matt caught on it in this video) the bait actually excels in all cooler water situations for every species of bass. The bait has an extremely tight action and fishes extremely well in depths up to 14 feet.

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

-The larger brother to the Deep X 300, the Deep Six reaches deeper and is equipped with larger hooks. It is a great option as the water cools in Fall and again as it begins to warm in Spring. With its larger size comes a slightly wider wobble, making it a versatile bait year round.

Spro RK Crawler 55: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

The Rock Crawler is truly a craw-imitator. This bait has a wider wobble than the other cold water baits but is irrelevant because you're fishing it properly when it spends all its time on the bottom. This bait is designed to grind, hop, and dodge its way through rocky bottoms, triggering bites as it deflects off cover.

6th Sense Curve 55: http://bit.ly/37hZ1TD

-The Curve, like the Rock Crawler, is designed to spend its time on bottom. This bite will hunt, pop, and deflect its way through hard cover. Pause it as it breaks away from cover to get that vicious reaction strike you've been searching for.

Favorite Colors by Bait...

Tactical: Mirrored Minnow, DD Minnow, Ghost Minnow, Glass Minnow

Deep X 300: Stealth Craw, Sexy Ayu, Megabass Sexy Shad

Deep Six: MB Gizzard, Shadow Craw, Ito Wakasagi

RkCrawler: Missouri Craw, Phantom Brown, Red Crawfish

Curve 55: Craw Bomb, Ghost Missouri Craw, Red Claw

Braid Combo...

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

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Fluorocarbon Combo...

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

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Low Budget Combo...

Rod- St Croix Bass X 7'2" MH Moderate: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm