Bill Lewis · Lipless Crankbaits
Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap Lipless Crankbait, 1/2 oz, Lectric Silver
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- Item weight
- 0.02 Kilograms
- Product dimensions
- 1 x 1 x 1 inches
Quick take
A 1/2 oz lipless crankbait that produces sound similar to distressed baitfish.
The Rat-L-Trap in Lectric Silver is a 3-inch, half-ounce lipless crankbait that sinks, so it can be counted down to the depth you want to work. With no lip, it suits ripping, yo-yoing and steady retrieves across open water and weed edges. Bass anglers reach for it first, and trout, walleye, pike and salmon anglers also throw it.
Best for
- Locating active fish in lakes and reservoirs
- Fishing around grass beds and structure
- Vertical drops in deeper water
Skip if
- You need a topwater presentation
- You prefer silent lures in clear water
Strengths
- Internal rattles produce distressed baitfish sounds
- 1/2 oz weight casts well on medium to heavy tackle
- Sinking design reaches deeper water column
Trade-offs
- Lipless design means no diving depth control
- Rattles can spook cautious fish in clear water
- Treble hooks snag frequently in weeds and wood
Fishing fit
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
- Trolling
Specifications
| Type | lipless crankbait |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1/2 oz |
| Hook | Treble |
| Color | Lectric silver |
What can I catch with this?
At 1/2 oz, this lipless crankbait is sized for bass and walleye.
- Bass
- Trout
- Salmon & steelhead
- Walleye
- Pike & musky
When and where to fish it
Its silver baitfish pattern suits clear to lightly stained water. 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
- Stained
- 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 1/2 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 1/2 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 1/2 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 silver baitfish pattern imitates shad.
- Shad
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 | 1/2 oz |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 in |
| Buoyancy | Sinking |
| Lip | None |
| Color | Lectric Silver |
| Color family | Shad and silver |
| Target species | Bass, Trout, Walleye, Pike & musky and Salmon & steelhead |
Common questions
Does it float or sink?
It is a sinking lure.
How much does it weigh?
It weighs 1/2 oz.
How long is it?
It is 3 in long.
What color is this version?
This version is Lectric Silver.
Updated