How To "Rip" Lipless Crankbaits Using Braided Line

It can be easy to look at a lipless crankbait like the Sebile Lipless Seeker and think it's just a one trick pony. Just cast it out and reel it in, right?Well, you'll certainly catch some fish doing that, but you'll also be missing out on one of the most effective ways to fish a lipless crankbait, particularly in the spring – by ripping it out of the grass.Ripping a lipless crank through submergent vegetation is an under-appreciated way to catch bass, and it is especially good for targeting big bass, since they often prefer areas of thicker cover.

Why this technique works

The premise is simple, bass love to bury up in submergent vegetation. Winding a lipless crankbait over the top of the grass is great for triggering the bass close to the top, but it doesn't catch the usually bigger bass that may be sitting nearer to the bottom. By periodically dropping the bait into the grass during your retrieve, and then snapping your rod tip up hard, you'll rip the bait out of the grass and trigger those bass that are buried in the thick stuff. The ripping action, combined with the loud rattles of a bait like the Sebile Lipless Seeker travels much farther in the grass, activating bass that may be much less aggressive.

The right line is important

The only change you need to make to start ripping lipless cranks is to make sure you're fishing with a good quality braided line, like Spiderwire Stealth Braid. The no-stretch properties of the braid will allow the bait to rip out of the grass cleanly, which will result in more and better hookups, and less casts spent fouled with grass. While you can certainly use this technique with heavier braid, 30-pound braid is the perfect diameter for this technique.

Two ways to do it

There are two ways to effectively implement this technique. The first is to "yo-yo" the bait by letting it fall on slack line into the grass, and then snapping it up out, reeling a few cranks, and then dropping it again. This is most effective in less dense grass, clumpy areas, and in deeper water (7-10 feet).The second way is to choose a slightly heavier lipless crankbait (1/2 or ¾ ounce) and reel it steadily but slow enough that the bait is dragging the tops of the grass. When it inevitably hangs up, just give the rod tip a snap and it will pop free… Just be ready for a big bass to load up, because they almost always hit right after you rip it clean.