Awesome man . I agree with the lipless 100% . I fish it uear round and is my go to bait for a bite . You can never go wromg with the Bill Lewis trap . They come stock with tripple grips and ready to fish out of the box . The one thing I wish they would change is if they went to a oval line tie . For small mouth the swimbait is my second choice as well. I have been trying to identify forage better this year and really focus in on what the main source of food is at that particular point in the year . Another great vid with useful information . And if someone all ready knows this stuff its a good reminder of things everuone should be paying attention to .
I am with you on your Swim Bait!!! Keitech 3.3 when the water is cold and the 3.8 when it gets in the low 50's.... absolute favorite color is Sun Gill...
Ben, great picks buddy. I agree 💯%! It would be interesting to get your take on forgotten lures or techniques that should NOT have fallen off the radar. I thought about this when you covered L-billed plugs in a recent video.
Also I'm stoked for this video series!!! I've literally been gearing up for smallmouth all winter and now because of everything going on we cant fish reservoirs unless we live in that county so for now watching these videos helps a ton.
I have to disagree with the lipless thing though I’ve caught my share on a rattle trap my x-rap jerk bait slays smallies I would choose a spinner or a jerk bait over a lipless granted I mostly fish rivers for smallmouth
Two great choices. I never hit the water without a swimbait tied on. One of my favorite smallmouth lures. Hardbait is a hard one. I just haven't had a ton of success with a lipless outside of spring. I'm going to have to work harder this year to fish the lipless in more ways. That said, I think my hardbait choice would be a spinnerbait, if that qualifies as a hardbait ?? I have tons of success with this lure year round. Burn it. Slow roll it. Fish it shallow. Fish it deep. Just a super flexible bait. Those would be my two lure choices. Great video Ben.
It may be counterintuitive because they are weighted lures with treble hooks, but lipless crankbaits (my favorite is the Rattlin Rapala) have ALWAYS slayed largemouth and smallmouth for me, whether spring, summer, or fall, when burned over the top of or adjacent to submerged weeds.
@@michaelfischerbassmaster my goal this year is to jump on board the lipless crankbait movement and see if I can't find more ways to catch fish other than just burning it in the spring.
A spinnerbait is such a good choice too because it catches fish all year long, but it's not something I have much confidence in. It's a technique I've never really devoted all that much time to, if I'm honest
@@brnowak_fishing almost like me with the lipless. Let's make a deal. You make a commitment to the spinnerbait and I'll make a commitment to the lipless. Challenge issued !! :-)
Gotta respect the simple approach! I tend to try a ton of lures, but my buddy fishes a 1/4 oz blade bait 90% of the time - just like a rattletrap but more subtle and usually cut off the lower hook and drag bottom. Have to admit he probably outfishes me. I buy the Cotton Cordell Spots because I fish it thru cover and don’t always get it back! Favorite swim bait is called a Big Joshy made in Ohio and I like the 3 inch size in a white glittery color. Nice video good music too.
Nice choices not only for bass but for all species. Both baits could be made to work on everything from trout to tuna and everywhere from Alaska to the amazon.
Yo-Zuri has some awesome small lipless cranks that are well weighted, which I love. Perfect for smallmouth or downsizing, but still getting good casting distance and high quality crank. Give em' I try andI very much doubt you'll be disappointed!
Enjoying the videos thank you I've mowed cleaned house washed and cleaned all three vehicles done laundry 😑 now it's fishin Tim put new line on all rods rearranged tackle res,ealed everything in the kayak one guestion can you put elastec in anything else than the packaging 👍🐟😁
I'm the same way - I don't think my house has been as clean as it is now. I actually keep all of my soft plastics in their original packaging, so I'm not sure. I know they melt though when they come in contact with non-elaztech soft plastics
Great question that I'll talk about in my video tomorrow. Basically I use Flambeau boxes with Zerust, but the biggest thing is just making sure to remove rusty components when you notice them and try to keep everything as dry as possible
Doug Kichman Yeah, for some reason I've tried them and haven't caught squat while I've caught a ton in the exact same spots with jerkbaits, cranks, tubes, and t-rigged or jig and craws. Bottom line is hundreds of lures/baits work, just depends on the area, water temps, quality, current, etc.
Basically a grub with a paddle tail instead of curly tail! BTW - today's video features something you mentioned in the original video where I was losing a bunch of fish on a dropshot, so thank you 2 years later :-)
The Smallmouth Experience two years ago on a dropshot video? Probably something about you using an extra fast rod on everything but a crankbait? Lol! Different strokes for different folks
Hey Benjamin: I wholeheartedly agree with the 3.5"-3.8" soft paddletail swimbaits. Haven't tried lipless crankbaits for smallmouth but I did pick some up* over the winter, super anxious for bass season which frustratingly doesn't open until late June here. Did you buy: www.tacklewarehouse.com/Duo_Realis_G-Fix_Vibration_Tungsten_Lipless_Crankbait/descpage-DUOGFXL.html *I bought: www.tacklewarehouse.com/Yo-Zuri_3DR_Series_Vibe/descpage-YZDV.html (I chose Real Perch for my location.)
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You’re such a genuine guy idk who could dislike the vid
I appreciate that man. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and I can live with that though :-)
Kietechs goby color is deadly
Great info Ben! This everyone on quarantine sucks I can't wait for it to be over!
Thanks so much Victor! Me too!
Thank you Ben for breaking this down greatly appreciated
Thank you so much for watching!
Thank you for this info! Really helping me narrow down what I need to carry with me!!!
You are so welcome!
Awesome man . I agree with the lipless 100% . I fish it uear round and is my go to bait for a bite . You can never go wromg with the Bill Lewis trap . They come stock with tripple grips and ready to fish out of the box . The one thing I wish they would change is if they went to a oval line tie . For small mouth the swimbait is my second choice as well. I have been trying to identify forage better this year and really focus in on what the main source of food is at that particular point in the year . Another great vid with useful information . And if someone all ready knows this stuff its a good reminder of things everuone should be paying attention to .
Yes, the Traps are great straight out of the box. Matching my forage is huge in determining the colors and baits I throw for sure
I am with you on your Swim Bait!!! Keitech 3.3 when the water is cold and the 3.8 when it gets in the low 50's.... absolute favorite color is Sun Gill...
Oooh! Sungill is such a good color. I really like it when the water gets off colored
Awesome vids dude. Love the smallmouth content. Don’t rly see that anywhere. Keep it up 👍
Thank you so much man! Yeah, I try to focus on smallmouth because it seems to get overlooked on other channels...plus I love them!
Ben, great picks buddy. I agree 💯%! It would be interesting to get your take on forgotten lures or techniques that should NOT have fallen off the radar. I thought about this when you covered L-billed plugs in a recent video.
That would be an awesome idea for sure - I might add that to my list :-)
Thanks so much Michael!
@@brnowak_fishing I hope you do make that video Ben. If you do please give me a shout out in it.👍🎣
Also I'm stoked for this video series!!! I've literally been gearing up for smallmouth all winter and now because of everything going on we cant fish reservoirs unless we live in that county so for now watching these videos helps a ton.
I have to disagree with the lipless thing though I’ve caught my share on a rattle trap my x-rap jerk bait slays smallies I would choose a spinner or a jerk bait over a lipless granted I mostly fish rivers for smallmouth
Thanks for posting...we need it!
Thanks for watching!!!
Do you use an under spin in clear water or dirty water more?
Great views I was surprised it was not a drop shop bait
I love a dropshot, but it's very one dimensional, otherwise it likely would have made the list :-)
Two great choices. I never hit the water without a swimbait tied on. One of my favorite smallmouth lures. Hardbait is a hard one. I just haven't had a ton of success with a lipless outside of spring. I'm going to have to work harder this year to fish the lipless in more ways. That said, I think my hardbait choice would be a spinnerbait, if that qualifies as a hardbait ?? I have tons of success with this lure year round. Burn it. Slow roll it. Fish it shallow. Fish it deep. Just a super flexible bait. Those would be my two lure choices. Great video Ben.
It may be counterintuitive because they are weighted lures with treble hooks, but lipless crankbaits (my favorite is the Rattlin Rapala) have ALWAYS slayed largemouth and smallmouth for me, whether spring, summer, or fall, when burned over the top of or adjacent to submerged weeds.
@@michaelfischerbassmaster my goal this year is to jump on board the lipless crankbait movement and see if I can't find more ways to catch fish other than just burning it in the spring.
A spinnerbait is such a good choice too because it catches fish all year long, but it's not something I have much confidence in. It's a technique I've never really devoted all that much time to, if I'm honest
@@brnowak_fishing almost like me with the lipless. Let's make a deal. You make a commitment to the spinnerbait and I'll make a commitment to the lipless. Challenge issued !! :-)
Gotta respect the simple approach! I tend to try a ton of lures, but my buddy fishes a 1/4 oz blade bait 90% of the time - just like a rattletrap but more subtle and usually cut off the lower hook and drag bottom. Have to admit he probably outfishes me. I buy the Cotton Cordell Spots because I fish it thru cover and don’t always get it back! Favorite swim bait is called a Big Joshy made in Ohio and I like the 3 inch size in a white glittery color. Nice video good music too.
Nice choices not only for bass but for all species. Both baits could be made to work on everything from trout to tuna and everywhere from Alaska to the amazon.
Good point - you can adjust sizes and colors/components and pretty much catch anything on both of these baits :-)
Yo-Zuri has some awesome small lipless cranks that are well weighted, which I love. Perfect for smallmouth or downsizing, but still getting good casting distance and high quality crank. Give em' I try andI very much doubt you'll be disappointed!
Enjoying the videos thank you I've mowed cleaned house washed and cleaned all three vehicles done laundry 😑 now it's fishin Tim put new line on all rods rearranged tackle res,ealed everything in the kayak one guestion can you put elastec in anything else than the packaging 👍🐟😁
U good bro
I'm the same way - I don't think my house has been as clean as it is now. I actually keep all of my soft plastics in their original packaging, so I'm not sure. I know they melt though when they come in contact with non-elaztech soft plastics
What swim bait head would you recommend for the 3.8” swim baits?
Do you fish Saginaw Bay for Bass? If so, some areas you suggest, ramps to use..tight lines and TIA
Genius
black tube red flake and a tiny torpedo top water. love top water smallies
Super classics :-) Those will both smash smallies too
The Smallmouth Experience I swear my dad has caught 1000 small mouth on those top water torpedoes LOL
Pretty envious of your small mouth waters. Be safe and stay at it!
Thanks so much James - I'm pretty lucky for sure. I hope you and your family stay safe as well!
How do you prevent rusty hooks?
Great question that I'll talk about in my video tomorrow. Basically I use Flambeau boxes with Zerust, but the biggest thing is just making sure to remove rusty components when you notice them and try to keep everything as dry as possible
PYP...great stuff!
Thank you!!!
Put the 3.5 on a wobble head. Get one that floats. Thank me later.
Been fishing for 20 yrs and I've never caught a fish on a lipless...
Doug Kichman Yeah, for some reason I've tried them and haven't caught squat while I've caught a ton in the exact same spots with jerkbaits, cranks, tubes, and t-rigged or jig and craws. Bottom line is hundreds of lures/baits work, just depends on the area, water temps, quality, current, etc.
Haven’t watched it yet but I hope it’s a grub! Even though I don’t think you’ve thrown it in your vids.
Basically a grub with a paddle tail instead of curly tail! BTW - today's video features something you mentioned in the original video where I was losing a bunch of fish on a dropshot, so thank you 2 years later :-)
The Smallmouth Experience two years ago on a dropshot video? Probably something about you using an extra fast rod on everything but a crankbait? Lol! Different strokes for different folks
Hey Benjamin: I wholeheartedly agree with the 3.5"-3.8" soft paddletail swimbaits. Haven't tried lipless crankbaits for smallmouth but I did pick some up* over the winter, super anxious for bass season which frustratingly doesn't open until late June here.
Did you buy: www.tacklewarehouse.com/Duo_Realis_G-Fix_Vibration_Tungsten_Lipless_Crankbait/descpage-DUOGFXL.html
*I bought: www.tacklewarehouse.com/Yo-Zuri_3DR_Series_Vibe/descpage-YZDV.html (I chose Real Perch for my location.)
Hey Larry - yes, those Duo GFix Vibration 68s you linked are the ones I really like for dragging as well!