Lip or No-Lip: When to Throw What Crankbait and Where

Walleye anglers have a variety of lures and presentations to use when out on the water. Some stick to the trusty worm harness rig, while others prefer walleye jigs on the bottom. These are all effective, but have you ever tried throwing crankbaits (both with a lip and lipless) for walleyes? 

So what’s the difference between these two crankbaits, and why does each one matter? The short answer is that lipless crankbaits don’t have a lip on the front, and the other style does. While that seems like a small difference, it really does matter depending on a number of factors while you’re fishing.

A lipped crankbait uses the bill on the front of the lure to determine how deep it’s going to go in the water column and also how aggressive its action will be. A crankbait with a shorter lip is going to run shallower, while a crankbait with a larger lip will run deeper. This is important to pay attention to as you try to fish specific areas throughout the water column for walleye.

Most of the lipped walleye crankbaits out there are going to be best used in the 5 to 15 foot range for depth. It’s common to fish them around breaklines, points, rock transitions, and even by trolling them. These crankbaits are going to maintain a consistent depth and retrieve relatively straight back to you.

Lipless crankbaits operate a little bit differently. These lures are typically weighted and sink on their own rather than being pulled down by a bill while retrieved. Because of this, depth is controlled by how long you let it sink in the water column and by how quickly you retrieve it.

These crankbaits also tend to vibrate tightly and aggressively on the retrieve, drawing fish in to check out what it is. These crankbaits are typically going to be used in the 5 to 20 foot depth range, and are really great for covering expansive flats. Some of them can even be worked vertically for suspended fish.

When it comes to using a lipped crankbait, there are definitely situations that make the most sense to tie one on for.

If you notice the walleye are holding tight to structure, a lipped crankbait is the way to go. This is especially true in areas like breaklines in the 8 to 15 foot range, rocks and reefs around 10 feet deep, gravel points next to deeper water, and even along subtle transitions. Lipped crankbaits work well here because of their consistent depth control to keep them in the strike zone consistently, and their ability to deflect off of structure.

When the water is clear, and walleye are being a bit more picky about what they feed on, a lipped crankbait is the way to go. Lipped crankbaits have a more subtle vibration, they don’t wobble as aggressively, and they move in a consistent and controlled way. These are much better movements for walleye that are neutral and selective with their feeding, or those that have been pressured more. 

Another place that a lipped crankbait will shine is when you decide to troll for walleye. With a lipped crankbait, you know how deep it’s going to run and don’t have to guess at how far down it sinks like a lipless version. The action of a lipped crankbait is also going to stay relatively the same regardless of how fast you troll it. These are going to be ideal for covering long breaklines, especially on post-spawn walleye in the 10 to 20 foot range of depth. 

While lipped crankbaits are great for a lot of situations, there are definitely some times when a lipless crankbait is going to be the better option. 

One of the best places you can toss a lipless crankbait is when fishing shallow flats. These areas are going to be in the 4 to 8 foot range for depth, and likely will have sandy or muddy bottoms. These spots can be great during the spring as they warm up more quickly.

A lipless crankbait is going to work well here because of the noise and vibration it creates as you retrieve it back to you. This is important in expansive shallow flats, since it will grab the attention of walleye from a long way away.

When the water is colder (40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit), it’s pretty common for walleye to stay tight to the bottom. When they do this, their eating habits are going to be more opportunistic and reactionary. This is where a lipless crankbait can shine.

A lipless crank can be tossed out and sunk to the bottom, putting it right in the strike zone for walleye. You can also move your rod to lift the crankbait up the water column and let it sink back down. Oftentimes, you’ll notice strikes happen on these lifts and falls.

Another great place to cast a lipless crankbait is around areas with sparse vegetation. Look for areas in the 5 to 10-foot range for depth, with emerging weeds, patchy grass, and other types of shallow vegetation.

A lipless crankbait can be cast into these areas and worked above and throughout the vegetation. These lures can easily be ripped through the vegetation and flutter back down into areas where the walleye may be waiting to ambush their prey.