Bill Lewis · Lipless Crankbaits
Bill Lewis Hammer-Trap Lipless Crankbait, 3/8 oz, Pro-Perch
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Options
- Item weight
- 0.38 Ounces
- Product dimensions
- 1 x 1 x 1 inches
Quick take
A lipless crankbait with internal hammering action and tri-tone sound chambers to trigger aggressive strikes.
The Bill Lewis Hammer-Trap in 3/8 oz and the Pro-Perch color is a sinking lipless crankbait. Its hammering action rocks the rod tip on the retrieve, and its Tri-Tone sound chambers give it several tonal frequencies. Paused on the fall, it flutters, and it comes with Mustad Triple Grip hooks.
Best for
- Bass in shallow to mid-depth water
- Versatile ripping retrieve in lakes and reservoirs
Skip if
- You need a slow-sinking lure
- You fish clear water where noise is a drawback
Strengths
- Internal hammering action rocks the rod tip and creates vibration
- Tri-tone sound chambers add acoustic attraction
- Mustad Triple Grip hooks for secure hooksets
Trade-offs
- Lipless crankbaits dive slowly at first; they're better for shallow water
- The aggressive sound and action may spook fish in quiet conditions
- The 3/8 oz size is light for windy conditions
Fishing fit
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
- Skill level
- Intermediate
What can I catch with this?
At 3/8 oz, this lipless crankbait is sized for bass and walleye.
- Bass
- Walleye
When and where to fish it
Its natural pattern suits clear water, where fish get a long look at the lure. Lipless crankbaits are often fished in early spring and in fall, over grass flats and shallow points.
- Season
- Spring
- Fall
- Water
- Pond
- Lake
- Reservoir
- River
- Clarity
- Clear
- Light
- Bright
- Overcast
- Water temperature
- Cold (under 50°F)
- Cool (50 to 60°F)
- Fished from
- Bank
- Boat
- Kayak
How to fish it
A lipless crankbait sinks, so you choose its depth by counting it down, then reel it, rip it or lift and drop it.
Count down and reel
- Cast and count as the lure sinks, about a foot a second, until it reaches the depth you want.
- Reel at a steady pace, fast enough to feel the lure vibrate.
- Speed up or slow down to hold it just above the grass or the bottom.
Ripping it out of grass
- Reel the lure so it ticks the tops of submerged grass.
- When it bogs down in the grass, snap the rod to rip it free.
- Be ready as it breaks loose; strikes often come right then.
Yo-yo
- Let the lure sink to the bottom on a tight line.
- Lift the rod to pull the lure up a few feet, then lower it and let the lure flutter back down.
- Watch the line on the fall; most strikes come as it drops.
How deep and around what
At 3/8 oz it covers water from just under the surface down to about 10 ft, depending on how long it falls.
- Surface
- Shallow (to 5 ft) (this product)
- Mid (5 to 12 ft) (this product)
- Deep (12 to 25 ft)
- Very deep (over 25 ft)
- Depth zone
- Shallow (to 5 ft)
- Mid (5 to 12 ft)
- Cover
- Open water
- Grass
What you need with it
A 3/8 oz lipless crankbait is usually fished with a casting rod, a baitcasting reel and 12 to 17 lb line.
- Casting rodsA medium or medium-heavy rod with a moderate-fast action has the tip to rip the lure free of grass.
- Baitcasting reelsA faster gear ratio picks up slack quickly on a lift-and-fall retrieve.
- Fluorocarbon lineSinks and has little stretch, so you feel the lure vibrate; 12 to 17 lb for this weight.
Pairs with
A 3/8 oz lure pairs with a medium or medium-heavy rod with a moderate-fast action and with 12 to 17 lb line.
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Rod power | Medium or medium heavy |
| Rod action | Moderate fast |
| Rod lure weight | 1/4 to 3/4 oz |
| Line test | 12 to 17 lb |
What it imitates
Its natural pattern imitates bluegill and perch.
- Bluegill
- Perch
How to choose a color and size
Color
| Options | When to pick it | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Black Splatter w/ Orange Belly | Stands out in stained or muddy water and in low light. |
|
| Chrome Black / Splatter Black, Chrome Blue / Splatter Black, Sneaky Shad | Flashes like a baitfish in clear to lightly stained water. |
|
| Green Gizzard, Pro-PerchThis one | Looks like real forage in clear water, where fish get a long look. |
|
| Fire Craw, Rayburn Red Craw, Rootbeer Craw | Matches crawfish in cold to cool, stained water early in the season. |
|
| Phantom Purple, Purple Nurple | Shows a solid outline in muddy water, at dusk and at night. |
|
Size
| Options | When to pick it | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 3/8 OZThis one | An all-round size for bass and walleye on medium spinning or baitcasting gear. | — |
| 5/8 OZ | Casts farther and handles wind and bigger fish. | — |
Which one should I pick?
Choose the weight by how deep and how fast you want to fish, then choose the color by water clarity.
| Version | Lure weight | Color | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Lewis Hammer-Trap Lipless Crankbait, 3/8 oz, Pro-Perch | Lure weight:3/8 oz | Color:Pro-Perch | Suits:Shallow (to 5 ft) and mid (5 to 12 ft), clear water, bass and walleye |
| Bill Lewis Hammer-Trap Lipless Crankbait, 3/8 oz - 5/8 oz | Lure weight:5/8 oz | Color:Chrome Black / Splatter Black | Suits:Mid (5 to 12 ft) and deep (12 to 25 ft), clear and stained water, bass, pike & musky and striped bass |
About this type
A lipless crankbait is a flat-sided, sinking hard bait that vibrates tightly when it is reeled.
It has no diving lip, so it runs as deep as you let it fall and casts a long way for its size.
Most hold rattles, and the line ties on the back, which keeps the nose down and the body shaking on the retrieve.
Compared with Crankbaits: A lipped crankbait floats at rest and dives to a set depth; a lipless one sinks and is fished at whatever depth you count it down to.
Facts
| Lure weight | 3/8 oz |
|---|---|
| Buoyancy | Sinking |
| Lip | None |
| Color | Pro-Perch |
| Color family | Natural |
Common questions
Does it float or sink?
It is a sinking lure.
How much does it weigh?
It weighs 3/8 oz.
What color is this version?
This version is Pro-Perch.
Updated