Good Vibrations
Called rattlebaits, lipless crankbaits, or vibration baits, these lures do a superb fish-calling shimmy. They rock!

This is too easy!" I yelled back to Joel Isenburg, a long-time fishing buddy from Richmond Hill, as I slipped another chunky smallmouth into the drink.

On that windswept morning on Lake Simcoe, we had battled harsh waves to reach our favourite rocky point. Since the wind made finessing the spot out of the question, we started zinging out crankbaits. Casting parallel to the long underwater point, we hit the motherlode. Scads of 3- to 4-pound smallmouths smashed our cranks, but the lipless lures we used are in a class of their own.

Lipless crankbaits can run at any depth. Just let one sink to where you want to fish and then start cranking it in. Ranging from 1⁄4-to 3⁄4-ounce, with 1⁄2-ounce being the most popular, these lures deliver a tight action that bass often find irresistible. But, getting the best out of them takes some adjustments.

The Fast Track
Cranking these lures is a vigorous activity. Lazy anglers need not apply. You will work for your fish. Technically, the presentation is easy: just cast and reel quickly, over and over again. Tuning your equipment to this type of fishing, though, will ease some of the grunt work.

Rod action, line size, retrieve speed, and lure weight need to be considered. Flinging lures and constant cranking is the domain of baitcasting equipment. A good starting point is a 7-foot medium-action rod, but length can vary from 6 1⁄2- to 8 feet.

A cranking rod needs a comfortable grip and flexible action. E-glass or fibreglass-blended blanks are perfect. Softer actions launch lures far out and lessen fatigue on the angler. The flexibility also ensures bass stay pinned during the fight. Take full advantage of the limber parabolic action to wear down fish.

Two other friends of mine have also spent considerable time honing their cranking skills. "Last year, I really concentrated on dialing in my setup," said 32-year-old Mississauga resident Marcello Carbone. He switched to a 7-foot cranking rod and a 6.2:1 retrieveratio baitcasting reel, feeling this ratio is fast enough, but not overkill.

"You don't need super-fast reels," he said. "I've never had to burn a lure ultrafast to make fish bite. A 6.2:1 reel is still fast, but lets you retrieve slowly enough that you're not over-cranking."

The Line Factor
Keep in mind that lipless crankbaits sink like a stone. Ensuring the lure rides just over cover or bottom is a constant struggle. Picking the perfect line for your cranking needs helps you control lure depth. Twenty-pound test, for example, will help keep the lure over shallow grass much more easily than lighter line will. Keep in mind that lipless crankbaits are most effective when they tick cover, not bog down in it.

Monofilament is ideal for cranking. Braids are touted for their low stretch, but with crankbaits, a bit of stretch is a good thing. Spool with heavy line, though, if your bass lakes brim with weeds. Scale down if you need to fish deeper water.

Also consider water clar ity. Carbone, for example, has switched to fluorocarbon line. Spooling up with either 14- or 17-pound fluorocarbon offers him greater control, he says, but the line's low visibility still works well in the clear water he fishes.

Isenburg, 57, is a chiropractor who retired due to chronic shoulder problems. His setup is similar to Carbone's. The longer rod is easier on his ailing shoulder. Again, his cranking reel has a 6.2:1 ratio, but is matched with thinner 10-pound monofilament. He finds it provides just enough stretch, casts well, and, since most of his cranking is over deeper weed flats, helps the bait stay down on a quick retrieve.

Keep it Simple
Bait selection is a personal choice. All vibration cranks have the same general design and profile, and almost every hard-bait manufacturer has one in its lineup.

Keep colour selection fairly basic. Flash is a tremendous attractant, so baits that glitter and rattle loudly are winners for the weeds. Chrome, gold, and natural finishes all work. This said, here are some effective tactics for specific fishing situations.

Ripping the Grass
Grass beds are havens for bass, and rattlebaits are just the lure for finding them. Their flash and vibration draws out fish, but treble hooks and weeds are a poor combination. This is where balanced tackle really comes into play. Running the bait just over submerged vegetation requires a constant adjustment of rod position and reel speed. When the bait collides with vegetation, deliver a sharp sideways yank to rip it free. This often triggers aggressive hits.

Focus your efforts along edges, holes, or channels in the weeds. If you're struggling constantly to free weeds from the lure, respooling with lowstretch fused or braided line should help, but be gentle when fighting feisty fish, or your landing success will decrease.

Don't leave a concentration of bass. Some anglers make the mistake of catching a few aggressive fish and then moving on. Work the area over and over. Vary casting angles, retrieve speeds, and bait colours. Often, you will need to sort through a few smaller bass before nailing a big one.

Rocking the Rocks
Vibration baits score well with smallmouths, but bronzebacks in clear water can be wary. Keeping the lure buzzing at a brisk pace is the best strategy to avoid it being overly scrutinized. Where you fish also makes a difference.

"A sandy bottom with rock rubble and sparse weeds is perfect smallmouth habitat," said Carbone. Last year, he discovered that especially in late summer and into fall, smallmouth flock to these areas.

Altering your presentation helps you take advantage of these bass. "Swimming the lure works well, but most often it has to deflect off cover," said Carbone.

He's discovered that noisy rattlebaits are not always the best choices. "Silent or near-silent baits (vibration baits without rattles are a rare and cherished find) are really effective when the water turns calm, especially in clear water," he said. In such conditions, switch to quieter vibration baits.

Overall, lipless crankbaits are versatile bass lures. Start with these basic guidelines and you will have one tied on your rod every day of the bass season.

Field Tip
Use a snap on the end of your line. It allows these lures to run freely and eliminates constant retying. Not a fan of a snap? Use a loop knot. The Rapala and King Sling knots are both easy to tie. Remove the lure's split-ring, to prevent the line rubbing on its sharp edges, and tie directly to the lure.  Watch how it is done by clicking here