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Bill Lewis · Lipless Crankbaits
Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap Magnum Trap Lipless Crankbait, Bluegill
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Options
- Item weight
- 0.06 Pounds
- Product dimensions
- 1 x 1 x 1 inches
Quick take
A magnum lipless crankbait with tight wiggle action and internal rattle for aggressive bass strikes in shallow grass.
The Magnum Trap in a Bluegill pattern is a lipless crankbait measuring 3.5 inches and weighing 3/4 oz. It sinks, so it can be fished down in the water column or ripped up through grass. It is sized for larger fish such as striped bass, pike and musky.
Best for
- Shallow grass bed fishing
- Fast casting and covering water
- Aggressive bass strikes
Skip if
- You fish deep water requiring a sinking profile
- You need subtle action for clear water
Strengths
- Tight wiggle mimics a distressed baitfish profile
- Internal rattle attracts fish through sound and vibration
- Triple-grip hooks hold large, aggressive strikes
Trade-offs
- 3/4 oz weight limits casting distance on light tackle
- Shallow running depth unsuitable for deep water
- Tight action can cause line twist with regular retrieves
Fishing fit
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
- Trolling
What can I catch with this?
At 3/4 oz, this lipless crankbait is sized for bass, striped bass and pike.
- Bass
- Pike & musky
- Striped bass
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 3/4 oz it sinks fast, so it reaches deeper grass edges, points and open water.
- Surface
- Shallow (to 5 ft)
- Mid (5 to 12 ft) (this product)
- Deep (12 to 25 ft) (this product)
- Very deep (over 25 ft)
- Depth zone
- Mid (5 to 12 ft)
- Deep (12 to 25 ft)
- Cover
- Open water
- Grass
What you need with it
A 3/4 oz lipless crankbait is usually fished with a casting rod, a baitcasting reel and 15 to 20 lb line.
- Casting rodsA long medium-heavy rod with a moderate-fast action throws a heavy lure far and absorbs a hard strike.
- Baitcasting reelsA faster gear ratio keeps up with a lure that is burned or ripped.
- Fluorocarbon lineSinks and has little stretch; 15 to 20 lb for this weight.
Pairs with
A 3/4 oz lure pairs with a medium-heavy rod with a moderate-fast action and with 15 to 20 lb line.
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Rod power | Medium heavy |
| Rod action | Moderate fast |
| Rod lure weight | 1/2 to 1 oz |
| Line test | 15 to 20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chartreuse Flash, Chartreuse Shiner, Chrome Chartreuse, Orange Crawdad, White/Yellow Eye | Stands out in stained or muddy water and in low light. |
|
| Bleeding Shiner, Blue Back Herring, Chrome Black Back, Chrome Blue Back, Chrome Blue Bleeding Shad, Chrome Green Back, Chrome Shad, Gizzard Shad, Lectric Silver | Flashes like a baitfish in clear to lightly stained water. |
|
| BluegillThis one | Looks like real forage in clear water, where fish get a long look. |
|
| Cali Craw, Cherry Craw, Newberry Craw, Red Crawfish, Red Head Uncle Ted, Red Shad, Retro Red Bones | Matches crawfish in cold to cool, stained water early in the season. |
|
| Gold, Lectric Gold | Flashes in stained, tea-colored water and on dark days. |
|
| Ice Blue | Shows a solid outline in muddy water, at dusk and at night. |
|
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 | Length | Color | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap Magnum Trap Lipless Crankbait, Bluegill | Lure weight:3/4 oz | Length:3.5 in | Color:Bluegill | Suits:Mid (5 to 12 ft) and deep (12 to 25 ft), clear water, bass, pike & musky and striped bass |
| Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap Magnum Trap Lipless Crankbait, Cali Craw | Lure weight:3/4 oz | Length:3.5 in | Color:Cali Craw | Suits:Mid (5 to 12 ft) and deep (12 to 25 ft), stained and muddy water, bass, pike & musky and striped bass |
| Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap Magnum Trap Lipless Crankbait, Chrome Blue Back | Lure weight:3/4 oz | Length:3.5 in | Color:Chrome Blue Back | Suits:Mid (5 to 12 ft) and deep (12 to 25 ft), clear, stained and muddy water, bass, pike & musky and striped bass |
| Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap Magnum, 3.75 oz, Gold | Lure weight:3/4 oz | Length:3.5 in | Color:Gold | Suits:Mid (5 to 12 ft) and deep (12 to 25 ft), stained and muddy 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 | 3/4 oz |
|---|---|
| Length | 3.5 in |
| Buoyancy | Sinking |
| Lip | None |
| Color | Bluegill |
| Color family | Natural |
| Target species | Striped bass and Pike & musky |
Common questions
Does it float or sink?
It is a sinking lure.
How much does it weigh?
It weighs 3/4 oz.
How long is it?
It is 3.5 in long.
What color is this version?
This version is Bluegill.
Updated