Looking to try some new traps (lipless crankbaits). My personal favorite is the 1/4oz Strike King RES. I throw this probably 90% of the time. Only other trap in my box right now is the 1/4oz B.L. Rat-L-Trap, which I like when the fish want the bait fished on a steady retrieve. I like to stick with the smaller lighter baits because I fish mostly shallow, grassy waters. I've tried a few other with little to no success, but I'm looking to give some different brands a shot. So let me know what you think. 

 

 

We think alike and I fish similar scenarios. This year, I've added the Rapala Rippin Rap (Chrome Blue) in 5/16 oz (2"), to the lipless arsenal and have had stellar success. It's very loud, rips great thru grass, and excels with the yo-yo technique, which works for me year-round. I will always be loyal to the 1/4oz SK RES series, but the Rapala lure gets it done. Check out their Red Crawdad pattern too (classic SW pattern).

 

 

Berkley Warpig is a quality trap 

@Dorado That's one that hasn't crossed my mind. I'll have to give it a shot

 

@Dtrombly the warpig is on my list of soon-to-try lures. 

 

Anyone have any opinions on the GYCB trap? I believe it's called the Midasu...? I've also heard good things about the Spro Aruku Shad. 

Yo Zuri Rattlin Vibe is a great bait.

Spro aruku shads are my best catchers

they'll all work just as long as they're gold w/black back  ?

Can't directly speak to the smaller rippin rap, but for me the 1/2 RES far out produced the 1/2 rippin rap. The rippin rap seemed to work for short Windows where the RES was more consistent. The 1/4 RES worked so well for me on vacation that I never thought to try the smaller rippin rap, but would expect results similar to what I saw with the 1/2 baits. 

 

Generally fish the 1/2 baits in 4-8 fow around reeds on lakes and 2-4 fow on the river. Those are the two brands I have fished most, traps and Xcals haven't done much for me. 

IMO the Xcalibur one knockers rule. However they are discontinued and $10-20 each now. Booyah took them over and now make the exact same on as the Xcal. Price is not bad either.

 

For deeper fishing the LC LV500 3/4 oz is great because of ist small size.

 

For your application though give the old inexpensive Cordell Spot a try. It works best in more shallow water. Might even find some in the dollar bin at Wallymart.

3 hours ago, Comfortably Numb said:

For your application though give the old inexpensive Cordell Spot a try. It works best in more shallow water. Might even find some in the dollar bin at Wallymart.

@Big_Easy_Bassin,

I buy the 1/2 oz Cordell Super Spots and because they are inexpensive, I drill a hole in them and I can either remove or add BBs (and reseal with epoxy).  In your case you would want to remove some/all of the BBs and make it lighter.  I don't touch my RES because I'm afraid of messing up the shimmy when they fall.

Ya ever been to Rat-L-Trap's website?

 

They make traps in 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 1, 1 1/2 oz

 

They have more color combinations than all other combined 

 

I'll throw a 1/4, 1/3, & 3/8 in shallow water marshes, just hold your rod tip high!

super spot by cotton Cordell my favorite.

Bagley rattlin' B minus. Slow sink, loud rattles. Had some good days last November on it. 

I've settled on Rat-L-Trap Brand many years ago. Have a few Super Spots and Rapalas in the mix also. The trap style of baits are great baits. My most recent trip out this past Saturday was bleak. Lock jaw and a case of smallies being nonexistent. Rat-L-Trap saved a being skunked day, fished wood log jam at a bridge piling and nailed two largemouths, only 13-14" fish but I felt lucky and blessed to get them the way that day was going. 

 

I have a pretty decent color selection of traps. But I really only need a few colors. My most productive have been variations of these colors:

chrome w/ blk. back

chrome w/ blue back

gold w/ blk. back

 

Have been messing with red variations the last couple of seasons. Mixed results. I think I just have to build a confidence level in red at this point. 

This covers it of me - at least in the 1/2 oz size.

A-Jay

I only have a few slots designated for  lipless baits  so I stuff them with Red Eye Shads  . For years I fished Traps and Spots but I feel the RES is more versatile and when space is limited  versatility is a big factor . When I'm out catching fish on the points I usually   try bouncing a RES off the structure . It works  good . 

I usually only use rat-l-traps and super spots.  One of those two always seem to work.

Bill Lewis original rat-l-trap..ive used red eye shads but had a bunch that would not run straight and run on their side

Cordell Super Spots work better for me, followed by the regular size Trap. I don't have any others except for an Academy Brand H2O Express model. It works, but the finish is coming off it and it hasn't caught enough fish to justify that.

 

Where I fish, I'd rather have a cheap one in gold that a good quality one in any other color. The Spot is "golder" than the Trap.

My all time top producer is a LC LV 500

Yo-Zuri 3DB vibe in prism silver black and gold black have been my top lipless lures for past 2 years, everything eats them...LMB, Smallmouth, Spots, stripers, trout,Chanel cats any fish feeding on Shad.

I have fished every lipless over the years and the 3DB is the only lipless that excels as a drop bait on the fall and crank bait.

Tom