Marianne Martinez
Rippin' Rap is a lipless, deep-bellied bait designed to crank, swim, and rip. Its skinny sides make it flutter on the drop, and its textured scales and gills give it a natural appearance. It is perfect for fishing in clear water where looks are key, or in stained, dark water where sound is essential. When fishing for panfish with Rippin' Rap, it is important to consider the time of year, the size of the jig, and the type of bait used. In warmer months, crankbaits and jigs may work well, while spinnerbaits and topwaters are more effective on the rocks. When fishing in shallow shoreline spots, low-light conditions during the early morning or late evening are ideal. Additionally, when fishing rip rap, it is crucial to cast as close as possible to the rocks while keeping your boat at a distance to avoid spooking the fish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lures | Jigs, spinnerbaits, topwaters, crankbaits, craw worms, buzzbaits, pop-Rs, double willow leafed spinnerbaits, square-billed crankbaits, Rippin' Rap |
| Lure colours | Chartreuse, black, black/blue, Texas craw pattern, Firetiger, Tennessee Shad, Voodoo Haze |
| Lure weight | 1/4-3/4 ounce |
| Line weight | 10-20 lb. |
| Best times | Early morning, spring, summer, low-light conditions, flood tides, winter |
| Bait | Minnow, grass shrimp, small crabs |
| Rip rap characteristics | Depth proximity, irregularities, back-waters, steep banks, shallow waters |
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What You'll Learn
- Lure choices: Use a jig or a craw worm, or opt for horizontal moving baits
- Crankbaits: Choose a flat-sided crankbait and keep your retrieve slow and steady
- Jig size: Use a 1/4 or 3/8-ounce jig for larger rocks with more space in between
- Rip rap banks: Target steep banks in fall and winter when bass seek crawfish
- Seasonal patterns: Rip rap is productive year-round, but the time of year affects techniques
Lure choices: Use a jig or a craw worm, or opt for horizontal moving baits
When fishing for panfish using rip and rap lures, there are a few different types of lures you can use, each with its own advantages and techniques. Here are some options to consider:
Jigs
Jigs are a popular choice for fishing rip rap, especially during the fall and winter months when bass seek out crawfish. Lighter casting jigs are generally better for rip rap fishing. Maintaining a tight line as you pop and tick the rocks is key when using a jig. In warmer months, jigs can still be effective, but other options like spinnerbaits and topwaters become more attractive to bass.
Craw Worm
Soft plastic crawfish lures are incredibly versatile and effective for catching bass. They come in a wide range of sizes, colours, and designs, allowing for specificity in your lure choices. For example, you can use tiny craws for small jig heads in streams to catch smaller bass, or larger craw imitations for bigger bass around wood and vegetation. The ability to customise the colours and add detail with ink pens makes these lures highly customisable.
Horizontal Moving Baits
Horizontal jigging baits have gained popularity in recent years, with anglers adopting faster searching tactics for panfish. The natural horizontal profile and exceptional realism of these lures make them effective. Jigging minnows, in particular, are a good choice when fishing with horizontal moving baits. The subtle movements of the minnow as it sinks and comes to rest often trigger panfish to bite. It is important to allow the bait to rest and slow down the fall as the lure approaches the strike zone to prevent spooking the fish.
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Crankbaits: Choose a flat-sided crankbait and keep your retrieve slow and steady
When fishing rip rap, a type of rock bank, for panfish, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, the productive sections of rip rap are often associated with the structure or types of banks they are laid along. Look for three qualities: depth proximity, irregularities, and back-waters. While the depth of the rip rap is not as important, proximity to deeper water is crucial. The best rows of rocks are usually within casting distance of at least six to eight feet of water. Irregularities in the rip rap, such as points and notches, offer fish collection points. Back-waters, or small ponds that form between the rip rap and the land, are also attractive to fish as they are often havens for small minnows and crabs.
When it comes to choosing a lure, a flat-sided crankbait is a great option. Crankbaits can cover large areas of rip rap, and the deflection factor during the retrieve triggers the feeding instinct in bass. When using a crankbait, cast at 30 to 45-degree angles up to the shallowest part of the rip rap and slowly crawl down through the rocks. Keep your retrieve slow and steady, and try to feel the lure working through your rod tip.
In terms of colour, this is generally a matter of personal preference, but a chartreuse/black combination tends to be effective. For weight, a 1/4 or 3/8-ounce jig is a good option, and when teamed with a 20-pound line, it will come through and over the rocks better. If you're fishing in an area with sparse rocks and want to maintain better contact with the bottom, you can use a heavier jig, such as a 1/2 or 3/4-ounce football head style jig, and crawl it along the bottom.
Remember that shallow shoreline spots are generally better during low-light conditions, early in the morning, and late in the evening. Flood tides that coincide with sunrise or sunset can also be advantageous when fishing rip rap.
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Jig size: Use a 1/4 or 3/8-ounce jig for larger rocks with more space in between
When fishing for panfish using rip and rap lures, jig size is an important factor to consider. The size of the jig can determine how effectively it moves through the water and how well it imitates the prey you are trying to mimic.
If you are fishing in an area with larger rocks and more space in between them, a larger jig size is recommended. In this scenario, a 1/4 or 3/8-ounce jig is ideal. These jig sizes are better suited for covering water and have a good fall rate for this type of cover. A lighter jig, such as a 1/4-ounce jig, is more natural for clear water scenarios and reservoirs with steep banks and rocks.
When using a 1/4 or 3/8-ounce jig for larger rocks, it is important to maintain a tight line. This technique involves popping and ticking the rocks to effectively fish around the rip rap. The key is to avoid getting snagged in the rocks, which can be achieved by using lighter jig heads and keeping your retrieve fast.
Additionally, when fishing with larger jig sizes, it is recommended to use a 20-pound line. This lighter line weight allows the jig to come through and over the rocks more smoothly. By using the appropriate jig size and line weight, you can effectively fish in areas with larger rocks and increase your chances of catching panfish.
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Rip rap banks: Target steep banks in fall and winter when bass seek crawfish
Rip rap banks are a great spot to target bass in fall and winter when they seek crawfish. Rip rap is a manmade cover with big chunks of gravel, granite, and other forms of rock laid along shorelines to prevent erosion. The rocks create a miniature ecosystem, attracting bait and bass. When bass seek crawfish, target steep rip rap banks.
In fall and winter, bass feed on crawfish, which are everywhere: ditches, fields, ponds, impoundments, and rivers. Crawfish are lobster-like crustaceans that crawl along the bottoms of lakes, creeks, and rivers. They are an easy meal for lethargic bass roaming cold waters. Bass also seek crawfish during the fall mating cycle, when crawfish are an easy target due to their bright orange or red colour.
To target bass seeking crawfish in steep rip rap banks, use jigs and small crankbaits. Cast your lure as close as possible to the rocks, with your boat positioned away from them to avoid spooking the bass. Use light jig heads and keep your retrieve fast, or use floating lures to avoid getting snagged in the rocks. For crankbaits, cast at 30 to 45-degree angles up to the shallowest part of the rip rap, then slowly crawl down through the rocks. This gives crankbaits good deflection and triggers bites from bass.
When using jigs, lighter casting jigs work better around rip rap. Keep your line tight as you pop and tick the rocks. For larger spaces between rocks, use a 1/4 or 3/8-ounce jig with a 20-pound line to avoid getting hung up. For sparse rocks, use a heavier jig to maintain contact with the bottom. Football head jigs work well in both scenarios. Craw-coloured medium-diving crankbaits, square bills, and lipless cranks are also effective in targeting bass seeking crawfish in rip rap banks.
In addition to lures, consider seasonal conditions and bank structures. Shallow shoreline spots are better during low-light conditions, early morning, and late evening. Target rock walls that drop into deep water, and take advantage of flood tides. Look for irregularities in the rip rap, such as points, notches, and backwaters, which attract bass.
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Seasonal patterns: Rip rap is productive year-round, but the time of year affects techniques
Rip rap is a productive year-round technique for fishing, but the time of year and season do affect the approach and tactics used. In the fall and winter months, steep rip rap banks are effective for catching bass as they seek out crawfish. Jigs and small crankbaits are effective tools for this time of year. Lighter casting jigs are more suitable for fishing around rip rap, and maintaining a tight line while ticking the rocks is crucial.
During the warmer months, crankbaits and jigs remain effective, but other options like spinnerbaits and topwaters become more attractive. Spinnerbaits work well when run along the rocks, especially on windy days. Using a popper along a rip rap wall in the early morning during spring and summer is an enjoyable and productive way to catch bass. Irregularities in the rip rap, such as mounds or pieces of wood, can create ambush points for bass and should be targeted.
In the spring and early summer, flatter rock areas tend to produce better results. Bass utilise these spots for spawning and remain there to feed on shad. It is common to catch bass from the same stretch of rock banks from late February through May. During this period, a square-billed crankbait is an excellent lure choice, triggering the feeding instinct in bass with its deflection during retrieval. A chartreuse/black colour combination tends to be more effective during this time of year.
Shallow shoreline spots are generally more productive during low-light conditions, such as early morning or late evening. Flood tides coinciding with sunrise or sunset can be prime fishing times. When the bite slows down, shift your focus to rock walls that drop off into deep water or explore deeper waters. Additionally, look for backwaters—small ponds formed between the rip rap and the land—which often attract minnows and crabs, luring in more stripers.
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Frequently asked questions
The best type of lure depends on the time of year and the type of fish you are trying to catch. In the fall and winter, jigs and small crankbaits are effective tools. In the warmer months, spinnerbaits and topwaters are also good options. If you're fishing for bass, a lipless Rippin' Rap lure can be a good choice as it is designed to crank, swim and rip through the water.
When fishing with rip and rap lures, it is important to cast as close as possible to the rocks while positioning yourself as far away as possible to avoid spooking the fish. Your lure should splash down within a foot or so of the rocks to maximize the bites. Keep your retrieve at a slow and steady pace so you can feel the lure working through your rod tip.
Rip rap can be found in many lakes and fisheries across America and beyond. Look for rock banks or shorelines with large chunks of gravel, granite, and other forms of rock that have been laid along the shoreline to protect against erosion. The Quachita River is known for its abundant stretches of rip rap.
Shallow shoreline spots tend to be better during low-light conditions, early in the morning, and late in the evening. When the sun is higher in the sky, head for deeper waters or rock walls that drop off into deep water. Flood tides that coincide with sunrise or sunset can also be advantageous when fishing rip rap.
