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: bit.ly/2aAUUbd
Colors: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad
•Jackall TN Series: bit.ly/2lqAwjh
Size: 70, 60
Today's Colors: SS Shad, SG Threadfin, Blueback Chrome
TRADITIONAL LIPLESS CRANKBAITS...
•Bill Lewis Rattle Trap: bit.ly/2gm8CjC
Size: 1/2 oz
Colors: Chrome/Black, Ghost Minnow, Strawberry Craw
•Cotton Cordell Super Spot: bit.ly/2y3K210
Colors: Rayburn Red, Royal Red, Chrome/Blue
•Nomad Swimtrex Max: bit.ly/3SjrDWD
Size: 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz
Today's Color: Threadfin Shad
•Duo Realis Apex Vibe: bit.ly/4brSaIk
Size: 1/2 oz - 1 oz
Colors: Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow, Sangria Craw
•Bill Lewis Hammer Trap: bit.ly/3Uk0Ri1
Size: Chrome Gizzard, Silverado, Rayburn Red
BLADE BAITS...
•Damiki Vault: bit.ly/2rnO7e2
Size: 1/2 oz, 3/4 oz
Color: Black Holo, Real Shad, Holo Ayu
•Megabass Vibration X Dyna Response: bit.ly/2R7FlvL
Size: 1/2 oz
Color: Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad, Setsuki Ayu
HOOK UPGRADES BY BAIT...
Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire: bit.ly/2v8ArBX
Size: 3
•TN 70/LV500 Hooks- Gamakatsu EWG: bit.ly/2DCOlmV
Size: 4
•TN 60 Hooks- Owner ST-35: bit.ly/2g8uCMj
Size: 6
•Swimtrex Max/Blade Bait Hook- BKK Spear EWG: bit.ly/3PiUjM7
Size: 6 (Front), 8 (Back)
•Round Bend Hooks- Owner ST 36: bit.ly/2cWpeyw
Sizes: 4, 6
LIPLESS STORAGE BOX...
•Plano 3700 Standard Box: bit.ly/2t3uHMR
FAVORITE LIPLESS COMBO...
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 855C CBR: bit.ly/2FQj6CZ
Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): bit.ly/2apmDJt
Line- Sufix 832 Braid (30 lb): bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader- Sufix Advance Mono (17 lb): bit.ly/3GJEUix
MID PRICED LIPLESS COMBO...
Rod- St. Croix Legend Tournament Carbon Cranker: bit.ly/3Iow9KV
Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): bit.ly/3gIUCgJ
Line- Sufix 131 Braid (40 lb): bit.ly/314VoyF
Leader- Sufix Advance Mono (17 lb): bit.ly/3GJEUix
BUDGET LIPLESS COMBO...
Rod- Shimano SLX A 6'10" Medium: bit.ly/2L3wppO
Reel- Shimano SLX A 150 (HG): bit.ly/2NfdOnk
Line- Sunline FC 15 lb Fluorocarbon: 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: bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY...
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex Quest: bit.ly/41RErpY
Electronics- Humminbird Apex 13: bit.ly/3pdaK1q
Anchors- Minn Kota Raptors: bit.ly/3iMUrEJ
Camera- GoPro Hero 12: bit.ly/3MwQToy
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite Rod Cover: bit.ly/3UewJEx
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/3U9y4cl
Favorite Net: bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
________________________________________________________________
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#fishing #lipless #crankbait

[@sautterfishing]

I knew it! Tim couldn’t get through a vid without making a cast! 😂😂. I’m going to start placing bets on if he makes a cast or not in his vids ! Love the content guys!

[@phillipbooth787]

wait, it's possible to be on a boat in the water, talking about fishing with gear out and NOT make a cast or 200?

[@dontnonowuno9953]

That's what makes these guys the best..they still love to fish,still have the passion.

[@kencato372]

😂😂😂😂

[@FadyFishing]

My favorite lipless rod is actually the 7’2 MH Glass Shimano Zodias. Caught my PB on a red Booyah One Knocker with it last week - 7.12 lbs

[@matthewotis3594]

Man I never even had a bite on a lipless. Seen so many people catch monsters with them. Guess I'm doing something wrong. Always end up with a jig tied on after a dozen or so casts. No confidence in it. Say it's a winter bsit but my local ponds are full of dead hydrilla and are hard to fish with anything not moving.

[@FadyFishing]

@@matthewotis3594 Yeah I’ll usually have to reel it with my rod tip high to keep it above the grass but I spend a lot of time picking all the vegetation off the hooks. If you have the patience for it, you’ll eventually find them and you can put a lipless where a jig can’t get to

[@tagg946]

@@matthewotis3594 for me, theyre pretty circumstantial. ive had wild days on a lipless but alot of the time fish dont really seem to enjoy the obnoxious rattling. There are a few silent lipless cranks on the market, i havent tried them though. if youre around a ton of grass, get a lighter/hollow bait like a bill lewis rattle trap or cotton cordell and burn it along the grass lines or over top of it like a chatterbait. if you cant hop it in cold water because of grass, a texas rigged small fluke might work in its place. just cast it out, let it hit bottom, hop it through the grass. i fish alot of ponds and even when the grass dies off, theres always a layer of gunk algae at the bottom that makes hopping a blade or lipless impossible.

[@matthewotis3594]

@@tagg946 it kinda bothers me more than the fish probably. These rattling lures. My pressured waters are making me work on my finesse game. Which is OK. That or slow rolling a spinner. But they don't like rattles so much. Super pressured.

[@The_Bass_Stunters]

The most slept on “Trap” style baits that is killer (if you can find them) the Megabass Vibration X-jr silent version!! God they smash!!

[@alexrivero3299]

Good stuff, Tim ! Truly appreciate 🙏 you guys always pushing forward and giving us amazing ideas and knowledge and experience. Thank you.

[@Dj.fishing084]

The red eye shad is my all-time favorite. The first bass I caught on it was the smallmouth in my profile picture. And it was in February of last year. The bill Lewis rattle trap has caught me a bunch too

[@caseysaunders2137]

The 1/2 and 3/4 oz Rapala Rattlin Rap in silver w/ black back has been my most successful lipless especially in summer. I have not yet fished the LV500, but ordered a few and will be testing those out soon.

[@BrothaAustin]

Booyah.Hard.Knocker.

[@ramseywomack987]

U guys are the BEST!!! Thank You for this video!!!!!

[@vanceblue5706]

At15:49. That is exactly how I feel about February. Great vid. Thanks Tim!

[@matthewirish5755]

Absolutely LOVE throwing a lipless.

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

My favorite lure for the spring, almost that time up here in Michigan!

[@stephanelavoie2258]

In south of Quebec Canada 🇨🇦, i use all sizes of the Jackal lipless , works really good with small mouth , especially the smaller size

[@douglasspickler4925]

Excellent video. Spot on.

[@awesomeangling]

Awesome Video 🎣🎣🎣

[@joshuaherring6504]

6th sense makes some really nice lipless cranks. They come with awesome hooks and hardware.

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

My favorite as well, best paint jobs too.

[@joshuaherring6504]

@tims_always_fishing7117 Some of the sickest paint and the suspending quake 80 are awesome.

[@kerryschallon8879]

I have the suspending Quakes. Not sure what retrieves to use?​@@joshuaherring6504

[@Playaj711]

Great video

[@Devildoc2875]

My favorite lure to throw!!! Love the lipless. Loving the new Jackall TN38 size. BFS!!

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

My favorite too! It’s about that time up here in Michigan!

[@stevencaldwell838]

I saw ( for the first time ever ) a pool test of the original Rat L Trap. Ya, it’s great for covering water and fishing above grass. But, when I saw it yo yoed and ripped, I was amazed how great it performed! Unreal action and fall! I fish a Damiki Vault often but now, I’m most definitely buying some Rat L Traps for a more aggressive presentation 🎣

[@romaloboda2280]

Thanks.

[@richardblake4777]

100% coverage of blades and traps. Falls right into the wheel well of TB product coverage. Watch them and you will learn all about Bassin. Well done Tim and thanks.

[@brandonrussVOLS-FAN-4-LIFE]

Good morning guys!

[@kensimpson8581]

Enjoyed the video. Whats your thoughts on hybrid hunter around grass worked like a trap?

[@zacklee3899]

Really gotta try these tn70

[@patrickh.5435]

Last week figured out I had to slow down on my yoyoing speed to get them to bite over ripping it

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

We had the same thing a couple weeks ago! Just a little lifts off the bottom kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3XHfnp-gbSAfM0si=ZF4KNLJ59gWuAOli

[@PreachersofHellCounty]

In Texas, Lake Bastrop, I've been killing them on a discontinued Strike King football head jig - pumpkin seed but the rage crawl trailer is purple on one side, pumpkin on the other. I install with the purple up, after it's in the water a bit the rubber starts to look a little like bacon. Sometimes they quit hitting it and I switch to a midnight blue/sparkle with matching rage tail. I think my jig is a larger, I'm gonna take these suggestions and see how they work with the smaller bait. This lake isn't known for bass over 21", most are in the 14 -21 slot. I catch pretty consistent 16-19.5 but 19.5 is biggest I've caught here.

[@lpbass8369]

Tim i also have a big box of LVs and jackall traps but when they go shallow the cordell spot is king .When they get hook rash and that bone shows they work even better.for me any way.The 9.4 you caught was awsume by the way.

[@gitz-zum]

Hearing u talk about fish spitting baits hits different after having 2 great nights of fish just smashing but spitting my baits and now knowing it's becuz og my gear mostly that's just sick...I lost some good 1s

[@MrKenrob13]

What are some of best spinning combos for this bottom hopping technique?

[@IISR9II]

The Yo-Zuri 3DR Series Vibe is another great lipless.

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

I agree!

[@jasonwilliams8875]

What rod and reel would you recommend for a 3/8 Texas rig senko 4/0 hook? I like high end gear.

[@kalebherring4396]

Living here in Kissimmee fl, I’ve got probably 55 tns loaded in a box I’ve upgraded all my split ring with hyper wires and size 2 Gamakatsu EWG #2 all my biggest fish in my tournaments come from Jackall tns! To date I’ve had around ten tournaments that the Tn 70 has produced big fish of the tournament. As well as the 5 bags over thirty on that bait as well it’s crazy how versatile it is!

[@vansaukam799]

Missing the Spro Aruku series and Yozuri/Duel Hardcore...manufacturer of superb and consistent lipless.

[@johnprioli1099]

this

[@gamingdreams2142]

I can always count on you guys for some good fishing content before I clock in at 6:30. Is there any companies that sell silent lipless crankbaits? Love the videos!

[@jeremytjensvold9936]

Nomad has one that is also a soft shell

[@jeremytjensvold9936]

Vertrex I think is the model

[@kylelundy7870]

Great video! I have 1 quick question: What is the difference in the Loomis 845 CBR to the 855 CBR (other than an inch?) Is the 855 really any different for lipless? I own the 845 and use it for most things cranking. It's a rod I most always have with me. If there's a benefit to the 855 I would buy it in a heart beat, just curious.

[@kylepanick2230]

I love these guys and have watched a few ...hundred of their videos. Can we please get the water temp though? Spring in wyoming vs spring in texas has to be different. Are we pre spawn, post spawn during the spawn? SPAWN!!!!

[@5.7.0bassin2]

I know I have some storm Arashi vibes with that self tuning line tie

[@baliton2006]

How are you guys getting tn70’s they’re sold out everywhere

[@pure_michigan_angler303]

3/4oz chrome blueback bill lewis rat-l-trap has produced my 2 biggest bags

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

Rattle trap! Classic for sure!

[@brandonmerideth5450]

A few weekends ago I was throwing a blade bait and I was getting bites but they were coming off so I switched to a lipless and they started eating it better and I started getting them into the boat

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

💪🏼

[@stephenritter586]

A Yo Zuri rattlin vibe should be on that list. There a good one.

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

Yes it is!!

[@omieyouknowme]

We still have ice here on our lakes ponds. Where is spring?

[@afgcomputing3639]

Are lipless crankbaits only effective on Shad fisheries? Live in WA state and we don't have shad but lots of perch, trout, bluegill and crappie so what colors should we be trying if they work here

[@jamesd5556]

Tim you forgot the jenko rip knocker. Check it out

[@c.j.flores7888]

If space/budget limited, would you throw a lipless on your blade bait rod, or a blade bait on your lipless rod?

[@txyakangler65]

6th Sense Fishing makes a great lipless cranks. Googan Squad is not too bad, either. Only ones I use. Catch a lot of bass on these all year round.

[@joshdennis8841]

Hold up a sec?!?!?! You guys are in east TN now?!?!?!?! What lake is the main lake you guys fish because I’m in this area as well!!

[@timdarnell7819]

Chickamauga

[@Jeff-rn5tr]

WWhen did you get away with Power Pro Maxquatro?

[@m.j.greathouse456]

I have a tip for the rattle trap. Flip N Flop It. You have to wait it out. Flip flop flip flop keep it in the same spot as long as you can. Flip flop flip flop. Normally the biggest one will be the bravest one.

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

Is that a gomexus handle?

[@TylerCruz-be7xf]

Why pay for bass University...these guys are great

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

So true!! 😂

[@perrybeaubien]

Why do you recommend a 70 size reel with your lipless combo? Why not a 100 size reel?

[@nicksandrof9345]

So as self proclaimed tackle junkies..I’d be curious what you do with all of your older gear you no longer use 🤷‍♂️ I’m fast approaching the point I need to purge rods etc that I have upgraded.

[@afgcomputing3639]

Introduce someone to fishing and give it away

[@keithpinkerton2933]

Makes it fun to cover water and not stare at the FFS

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

So true!!

[@Mr.Higgs.]

A good piece of advise for everyone, every single rattle trap sounds different even the exact same ones. I couldn't tell you how many time I've found two of the exact same lipless (specifically the redeye shad) and every one sounds just a little bit different.

[@tressbassin]

1

[@jasoncowick2376]

All that lipless talk and you left my favorites off the list? You guys never seem to show 6th sense any love? Those Duke 65 and 55’s are by far my favorites and I have a box full of lv500’s and tn70’s.

[@squonto47]

6th Sense Quake 80 SUSPENDING. If you all aren’t on the suspending lipless thing yet, get on it.

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

I've bought em in the past but haven't thrown em, this was when they first released, and the size is ridiculous compared to their 5/8 lipless.

[@squonto47]

It’s a big boy for sure , but I’ve caught 1lb bass in a 6” magdraft like many have (see my avatar) so it no longer seems “too” big. And I’ve caught too many on it to stop now.

[@ccol009]

@Tactical Bassin Why don’t y’all compete in The Bass Master Elite? With Y’all’s Bio why not?