We have a very short cold water period in northern Wisconsin, but if the water is 45 to ice, I’m throwing a shallow shade rap (SSR5 & 7- 5 being the best producer; shad, perch, or bluegill pattern, with bluegill being the best around grass followed by perch) on the inside of grass lines or over the grass where there’s transitions or turns- nothing has been better for me in the last 20 years since I got my own boat at 16. If they’re deeper, I’ll target the outside of the grass lines, especially those with rock/sand transitions that have multiple inside turns nearer deep water, with the primo spots being near a main lake or secondary point leading into a spawning bay. I’ll toss a standard shap rap (SR4-7 with 5 being the best producer; perch is the best in the deeper water followed by bluegill; the exceptions are our lakes with Tulis or other pelagic forage & then shad or some version of works better). If it’s slow, once I do get a few bites, I’ll slow down and drag a light 3/16-1/4oz cylinder drop shot with a very short leader & a small, do-nothing, natural colored bait. The key spots are very small and I have to rely on my spot lock, Talons, electronics, & feel to keep it in the grass pockets or points with adjacent rock/sand. All are thrown on a 6’8” ML power Fast action rod or a 7’ M power fast action rod. 6-8lb fluoro to 12-15lb braid, with 12lb braid & 8lb fluoro being my favorite. I’ve had hundred fish days many times and there’s almost always a few 4+lbers mixed in but the majority are 1-3lbs. I use the same pattern in reverse once we have ice out, along with a hard jerkbait & dropshot. If I’m targeting big fish in either scenario, I’ll throw a swimbait and crawl it along the bottom in the same areas - just catches big ones… Same tackle as other baits. If I’m fishing Smallies, the same tactics work but I’ll focus deeper and the grass must have rock/sand in or near it. If it’s sunny, I fish higher in the water column & deeper if it’s cloudy. If you’re ever in Vilas County or any of our northern counties… Now ya know. Forgive my novel, but I’m bored… 🎣🇺🇸
Caught my PB yesterday on an umbrella rig (24+inch 8lber) but numbers wise I’ve been catching a lot of lipless cranks since fall. My favorite crank bait by far.
I take a blue and chrome original rattle trap, change & put on good sticky sharp hooks like G finesse...and my trick is paint brush on chartreuse dip dye liquid on the sides, gives it a glowing flash...throw it on braid with 3ft mono leader using a long rod that has some moderate bend to it. Man it works like magic.
I fish a big creek all year long here in Indiana. Average depth of 4 foot with a few holes here and there. I always snag and loose lipless cranks anytime I let them touch the bottom. This year I bought a couple suspending rattle traps. I'm hoping to stay off the bottom but generate strikes by letting it hang in the water column
Lipless have treated me very well early winter in the mid south. They have wanted it a little faster but I figure that will change as water temps drop into the low 40s.
I do love lipless baits, too, Mike… They’re awesome for Largies & Smallies, but I modify the lure & my tackle setup for Smallies because they throw them so easily. I’ll watch later… Done for the day, so I’m gonna take the Brittany & go hunt up some Grouse ~ 🎣🇺🇸
Yo-yoing a 1/2" oz Cotton Cordell rattle spot has caught me so many big fish in cold water it's ridiculous. Out of all the traps I own and fish there's just something about that bait that sounds different and gets me more bites. (Not Sponsored so I can say this) not hatin' and love ya Ike
If your not getting snagged your not fishing where the fish are. A good plug knocker and patience is paramount. I love the daiwa plug retriever it has small chains on it plus it comes with its own twine already spooled up on a reel type deal with a small hand crank. I've only had 1 bait I couldn't get back with it (knock on wood).
My favorite Kayak Fishing TH-camr found a Berkley Warpig lipless crank when he was freeing a snag. So he tied the Warpig , caught a really nice bass immediately. I guess the Warpig really works. th-cam.com/users/shortseek4ELAgZqs?si=Q4R_pjgcIbKDhOpa
Great video Ike. This is like listening to a professor lecture at a college. Excellent! You show the techniques and explain ‘why’. So informative!
How you show the retrieve styles is the best thing on TH-cam.
I’m glad you like it!
We have a very short cold water period in northern Wisconsin, but if the water is 45 to ice, I’m throwing a shallow shade rap (SSR5 & 7- 5 being the best producer; shad, perch, or bluegill pattern, with bluegill being the best around grass followed by perch) on the inside of grass lines or over the grass where there’s transitions or turns- nothing has been better for me in the last 20 years since I got my own boat at 16. If they’re deeper, I’ll target the outside of the grass lines, especially those with rock/sand transitions that have multiple inside turns nearer deep water, with the primo spots being near a main lake or secondary point leading into a spawning bay. I’ll toss a standard shap rap (SR4-7 with 5 being the best producer; perch is the best in the deeper water followed by bluegill; the exceptions are our lakes with Tulis or other pelagic forage & then shad or some version of works better). If it’s slow, once I do get a few bites, I’ll slow down and drag a light 3/16-1/4oz cylinder drop shot with a very short leader & a small, do-nothing, natural colored bait. The key spots are very small and I have to rely on my spot lock, Talons, electronics, & feel to keep it in the grass pockets or points with adjacent rock/sand. All are thrown on a 6’8” ML power Fast action rod or a 7’ M power fast action rod. 6-8lb fluoro to 12-15lb braid, with 12lb braid & 8lb fluoro being my favorite. I’ve had hundred fish days many times and there’s almost always a few 4+lbers mixed in but the majority are 1-3lbs. I use the same pattern in reverse once we have ice out, along with a hard jerkbait & dropshot. If I’m targeting big fish in either scenario, I’ll throw a swimbait and crawl it along the bottom in the same areas - just catches big ones… Same tackle as other baits. If I’m fishing Smallies, the same tactics work but I’ll focus deeper and the grass must have rock/sand in or near it. If it’s sunny, I fish higher in the water column & deeper if it’s cloudy. If you’re ever in Vilas County or any of our northern counties… Now ya know. Forgive my novel, but I’m bored… 🎣🇺🇸
Wobblehead with a 3-3 1/2" soft plastic craw is always 1 of my combos in the cold water
Appreciate the info Mike these videos really help!
I like that hoodie in the thumbnail......OHIO STATE BUCKEYES colors lol😂
I like lipless cranks due to they catch bass and saugeye in cold weather
Caught my PB yesterday on an umbrella rig (24+inch 8lber) but numbers wise I’ve been catching a lot of lipless cranks since fall. My favorite crank bait by far.
Great video.
thank you mike
I take a blue and chrome original rattle trap, change & put on good sticky sharp hooks like G finesse...and my trick is paint brush on chartreuse dip dye liquid on the sides, gives it a glowing flash...throw it on braid with 3ft mono leader using a long rod that has some moderate bend to it. Man it works like magic.
I use Rattle traps regularly on the Brazos River in Texas year-round!
I fish a big creek all year long here in Indiana. Average depth of 4 foot with a few holes here and there. I always snag and loose lipless cranks anytime I let them touch the bottom. This year I bought a couple suspending rattle traps. I'm hoping to stay off the bottom but generate strikes by letting it hang in the water column
Caught a 3 pounder on a silver blue one today
Lipless have treated me very well early winter in the mid south. They have wanted it a little faster but I figure that will change as water temps drop into the low 40s.
I do love lipless baits, too, Mike… They’re awesome for Largies & Smallies, but I modify the lure & my tackle setup for Smallies because they throw them so easily. I’ll watch later… Done for the day, so I’m gonna take the Brittany & go hunt up some Grouse ~ 🎣🇺🇸
Yo-yoing a 1/2" oz Cotton Cordell rattle spot has caught me so many big fish in cold water it's ridiculous. Out of all the traps I own and fish there's just something about that bait that sounds different and gets me more bites. (Not Sponsored so I can say this) not hatin' and love ya Ike
Great content Ike, what water temp is good for this technic. My lake in southeast Georgia right now averages low 50’s
NOW!
Please do that little fliker shad if you ever have time.
If you slow roll a lipless you better have a bunch of them or a good plug knocker!!!😮
How do you keep it from snagging the bottom if you let it hit the bottom?
If your not getting snagged your not fishing where the fish are. A good plug knocker and patience is paramount. I love the daiwa plug retriever it has small chains on it plus it comes with its own twine already spooled up on a reel type deal with a small hand crank. I've only had 1 bait I couldn't get back with it (knock on wood).
Could you still did you get back at 🌊 why it's in the water
Sounds like a snag nightmare but that’s just me.
Sorry mike this is one lure that doesnt ever see the lakes here in san diego.
Lmfao they actualy just take up space in my tackle boxs
Why don’t you jump in the water yourself and see if a bass bites you ???
My favorite Kayak Fishing TH-camr found a Berkley Warpig lipless crank when he was freeing a snag. So he tied the Warpig , caught a really nice bass immediately. I guess the Warpig really works.
th-cam.com/users/shortseek4ELAgZqs?si=Q4R_pjgcIbKDhOpa