Tackle tips for lipless baits
ROD
REEL
LINE
HOOKS
PHOTO BY BRANDON ROWAN
Tackle tips for lipless baits
GIVEN THE NUANCE involved with winter lipless fishing , carrying multiple rigs and baits in preparation for different conditions can pay dividends . That ’ s Tip No . 1 . Here are some other guidelines from top pros about their lipless setups .
ROD
A basic crankbait rod suits many lipless crankbait applications , as anglers need tackle that can make long casts and with enough “ forgiveness ” that fish can inhale the fast-moving bait and not have the treble hooks pull free during a fight . That generally translates to moderate-action rods , 7-0 to 7-6 in length , of medium to medium-heavy power . But depending on the scenario , you ’ ll find some wiggle room within each tackle component , including rod selection .
PRO TIP : “ I use my new vibrating jig rod for lipless . It is medium heavy power , but it has a parabolic bend . It has a graphite blank but the feel of a composite rod .” — Jacob Wheeler
PRO TIP : “ If I ’ m fishing grass , I like a stiffer rod — I use a Lew ’ s medium heavy with backbone .“ — Dakota Ebare
REEL
Most pros interviewed for this feature opt for reels with gear ratios between 6.6:1 and 7.5:1 .
PRO TIP : “ When you ’ re trying different things — working different baits and presentations — it ’ s important that you are doing them all with the same reel . You need to keep variables consistent .” — Dakota Ebare
Splendor in grass and gravel
For many anglers , cold-water bass fishing might conjure images of plying deep guts or steep bluff walls . But those aren ’ t always the best places to find big fish , especially on lakes with an abundance of aquatic vegetation .
When fishing his home waters of Lake Guntersville , Duckett focuses on inside grass lines when the water gets cold , targeting clumps or “ broken grass .”
LINE
Fluorocarbon line is preferable for most lipless applications , with 14- to 17-pound line a typical choice in water ranging from a foot to 6 feet deep . The heavier line generally excels in shallower water and grassy situations . Switch to 12- or even 10-pound fluorocarbon when working deeper water .
PRO TIP : “ The switch from 14- to 17-pound line takes one foot off the dive .” — Ott DeFoe
ROCK & RATTLE
Lipless crankbaits , like the Jackall TN 70 and Storm Arashi Vibe , are right at home around rock and gravel bars .
“ Big fish winter shallow on these Tennessee River lakes ” he says . “ When it gets cold , baitfish get disoriented , and bass are there to take advantage . They relate to that inside grass line , 10 to 50 yards from shore . Between that line and the bank is their feeding area .” If current is present — a condition Duckett took advantage of on his way to a Lay Lake Bassmaster Classic win — he seeks out rock and gravel bars and channel swings where opportunistic bass are waiting for baitfish to roll by .
HOOKS
Bouncing and crawling lipless lures over rock and other hard cover takes its toll on treble hooks . Check the sharpness of your hooks frequently and replace them if necessary , even during the course of a day .
PRO TIP : Jared Lintner substitutes Trokar # 4 round bend treble hooks on baits he plans to work over rocky bottoms .
PRO TIP : “ I switch out the hooks on my Arashi Vibe to short-shank VMC hybrid treble hooks . I may change out the front hook two or even three times a day .” — Ott DeFoe
34 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | DECEMBER-JANUARY 2024