I’ve lengthy been a spoon man for walleye below the ice, however with every passing winter I develop into more and more keen on the lipless crankbait. The motion and vibrations of those arduous 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 potential to attract a walleye from distant makes it good for fishing flats. Right here, walleye are usually cellular and chasing faculties of wandering perch and different forage.
Walleye might be below your ice gap, then gone in moments. A lipless crankbait piques their curiosity, retains their consideration, and rapidly triggers strikes.
This unfolded many occasions final winter utilizing a two-and-a-half inch Rapala Rippin’ Rap. What was notably fascinating was observing walleye behaviour utilizing Garmin’s Panoptix LiveScope.
Many fish I caught on flats got here in scorching. A number of rapidly approached from the facet, swimming from greater than 12 toes away to assault. I all the time knew lipless cranks had drawing energy however witnessing it utilizing the most recent ice fishing tech solidified my appreciation for these rattle baits.
Along with the Rippin’ Rap, different productive baits embrace the Livetarget Golden Shiner, Jackall TN/60, and Yo-Zuri Rattl’N Vibe, and 3DS Vibe.
Superior for overlaying water
With the ability to appeal to walleye rapidly is advantageous past fishing flats. As in hotter months, a lipless crankbait excels when trying to find walleye and attempting 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 hardly ever nibblers with a lipless crank. Fish are inclined to scream in and smash the bait. Match their enthusiasm together with your jigging cadence by steadily working the bait and elevating it within the water column (learn on for specifics). Aggressive fish need to chase. Preserve the bait inside their strike zone whereas persevering with to maneuver it teasingly away from the fish, identical to a baitfish attempting 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 realize following a typical lift-fall jigging sequence.
A raise of 1 to 2 toes will appeal to 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 be sure you comply with it by decreasing the rod tip. Staying involved with the bait this manner helps detect a strike on the drop. How a lot line rigidity is required will range. Sure baits carry out finest when allowed to fall on semi-slack line. Others roll unattractively and ought to be lowered on a managed drop.
A primary lift-fall sequence is commonly all it takes for aggressive walleye to chew. When fish want convincing, keep 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.
Generally walleye want the bait shaking at a continuing depth. Different occasions 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 overlaying water and set off massive bites all winter lengthy.
For any lively fish
At 21 ⁄2 to three inches, these horizontally oriented, large profile baits have a meal-sized attraction. They’re popu- lar on Bay of Quinte, Lake Winnipeg, and different trophy walleye fisheries.
In fact, 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 delicate mannequin of bait. The two inch Rapala Slab Rap and 15 ⁄8-inch Yo-Zuri Rattl’N Vibe Mini might be notably good throughout robust circumstances. You too can land jumbo perch and slab crappie with these.
Initially printed within the Jan.-Feb. 2024 difficulty of Ontario OUT of DOORS
For extra on ice fishing, click on right here
Click on right here for extra outdoor information
