Lipless crankbaits are one of the prime lures for fishing in shallow waters. These lures tend to be ultra-realistic, and thus attract fish that might otherwise be hard to catch.
These lures tend to wobble, which gives them a realistic fish-like movement. These lures do not have lips and are thus named lipless crankbaits. This means that unlike other types of lure, they are meant to sink.
Rat-L-Traps are a specific type of lipless lure. These crankbaits tend to have a rattle inside them, which makes noise with movement. This noise tends to attract fish. Most lures use a metallic rattle.
Both the lures are ultra-realistic, flat-sided, and lipless. Both these lures resist buoyancy. They thus tend to sink into the water. Both the lures also have a number of hooks under them. These hooks catch the fish.
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When to use lipless crankbait?
Despite being a great lure, lipless crankbaits are not fitting for every situation. While they can be used for any depth, they are typically used for very shallow waters. Anglers typically use these lures at depths of 10 feet or less.
Lipless crankbaits are also great to use with grass, which can help conceal the hooks. This means that they are better suited for seasons with a lot of aquatic grasses. Thus they are a great lure for summer. The lures can, however, be used in all seasons.
Crankbaits fit well with grasses because they tend to rip through grass fairly easily. This means that they can be used to capture fish that lurk in the grasses to make aggressive attacks.
When to use Rat-L-Trap lures?
Rat-L-Traps are perhaps the best crankbaits available in the market today. These lures make a rattling sound due to the rattle that is present within them. The rattling metal also adds weight, letting them sink deep.
These crankbaits can catch a large variety of fish. The rattle is particularly useful. The rattle lures fish even in murky waters where the lure might not be easily spotted. This also holds true for fish that might rely more on hearing than their eyes.
The use of a rattling crankbait helps those fish locate their “target”. This means that you can easily find yourself catching some of the fish that are a lot harder to catch with a normal lure.
The added rattle is thus a great lure for the fish.
There are a variety of colors available within the rattle lure options to ensure that you can get your right fit. There are different sound frequencies and styles available as well. Some of these rattles are more attractive to certain fish. It is thus always important to choose the right Rat-L-Trap according to the demands of the situation.
Other types of crankbaits
There are two other common types of lipless crankbaits that you may find yourself dealing with. It is important to understand the differences between a Rat-L-Trap and the other two types.
The first type of lipless crankbait is the one that does not make a sound at all. These lures do not contain any rattle, and will thus not create any sound. They are also lighter because they do not contain the rattle. This means that they might not sink that deep.
The soundless lures are useful for fishing in very clear and shallow water. In such a place, the lure would not have to sink deep and fish can easily see it. This means that they would still get you plenty of catch. They do not work well in muddy waters though.
The second type is the knockers. These types of lures contain multiple rattles within them. The rattles tend to “knock” against each other, making a knocking sound rather than a rattling sound.
These lures are typically heavy, and would thus work perfectly for deeper waters. However, the movement might not be as realistic due to the added weight. They might also be “too loud” and scare fish away. Both of these crankbaits attract a different type of fish.
What are the best Rat-L-Traps?
If you have already decided on using Rat-L-Traps for your fishing journey, you may be wondering which Rat-L-Traps are the best. The number of different products available in the market makes this question difficult to answer.
The optimal Rat-L-Trap, or crankbait for that matter, depends on the situation. You may want to use colors suited to the environment, as well as to the weather. The rattle or knocking should attract the fish that you wish to catch.
However, for beginners, there are few Rat-L-Traps that can excel as much as the originals do. Bill Lewis initially made Rat-L-Traps. Bill used the theory of how fish tend to locate food using both sound and sight to make these lures. He then counterbalanced the lures to make the action similar to how fish swim.
His models are hugely popular and continue to sell throughout the world. You should definitely have a look at the models made for the specific predator fish that you may want to capture.
Conclusion
Lipless crankbaits can be used in a number of ways. These differ depending on the situation. They are one of the best lures available and include knockers, silent baits, and Rat-L-Traps. Rat-L-Traps are one of the best lures you can buy, irrespective of what type of predatory fish you wish to capture.
Choosing the right Rat-L-Trap can go a long way into helping you catch a lot more fish than your competitors. We hope this article was helpful to you in finding the right lure for your needs. Happy fishing!
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