rattle traps

[toppwatr]

i would like to get used to using rattle trap type baits. i know they can be effective when fished properly but i have tried them in different locations without any success wether it be a pond ( which i know holds quality bass) or a section of the river i usually do well on. if any of you guys have had luck on these baits or have any suggestions all are welcome. it just seems like one of those baits i cant get the hang of.

thanks

[JB]

a simple start is to stop and go it during the retrieve, sometimes the bass will hit it on the fall..just cast, reel, and either stop for a second or two and then resume reeling.
Other things to try is colors like chrome and blk back or chrome and blue back on sunny days or clearer water, Try the crawdad color in spring or fall or anytime really. Remember a ratLtrap will sink as deep as you want to fish when you dont have any crankbait that will dive really deep.

[BigBassin144]

Not to discourage you, but I've never caught anything on a normal rattle trap, only a floating one, and still not many fish.

The last one I caught, earlier this summer, did engulf the bait though. I felt like I was bill dance and a scuba diver put it in the fish's mouth for me!

BB

[carolina-rig-01]

without a doubt rat-l-traps are great baits, but like anything else their is a time and place where they are at their best. i really like them in the spring and fall whenever shad are on the move and bass are filling up on them. like jb said stop and go is a good retrieve, i like to burn them as fast as i can in shallow water. in the early spring when crawdads are starting to show themselves more after the winter i like to throw a lipless crankbait in crawdad colors and fish them in shallow water, when the bait hits the bottom i rip it as hard as i can to try and provoke a reaction strike.

[toppwatr]

cool. thanks for the advice guys i appreciate it. i have been wanting to try the crawdad colored one in the local smallie streams and rivers. ill let you know when i get my first rattle trap fish.

[bamabassman]

rattle traps are my wifes favorite baits. 1/4 ounce chrome with a blue back color. yes gang i know how many times i have said this too,lmao. but truly it depends on the color, and the time of year as well as where you are using the bait. there are times NOT to use it as well as times TO use it. right now is not the time of year in my opion. wait till it gets a little cooler (water temp too) and also the spring time is awesum time to use it.

[66KingFisher]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I felt like I was bill dance and a scuba diver put it in the fish's mouth for me!

BB

Oh man, thats cold.......

[BassMoJo]

I like the Red Eye Shad by Strike King. Theres so many ways to fish the rattle you can burn it, yo-yo it, hop it on the bottom, or slow roll it. I personally like to burn it above structure or grass adding a little twitch some times. From local reservoirs to the potomac the red eye shad has caught me alot of quality fish.

Hope this helps

[toppwatr]

cool. i have a red eye shad. havent used it yet though.

[Patrick Krueger, Jr.]

Pre-spawn is my favorite time to use them. I just have so much confidence in them at that time of year. I've had the best success with Berkely Frenzy Rattl'rs. The only brand I've tried that didn't work is Rapala's. I'd like to try their new Clacking Rap one, though.

[WaffleJaw]

a rat'l trap is a must in my tackle.....but as stated above, fall and spring are probably your best bet to use them.....

patrick - i almost bought a clacking rap...i think during the fall,i probably will.....they were bigger than i expected....i dont why ,but im scared to through bigger cranks,lol

[3dkicker]

My friend, the Major, has a Red Eye tied on all year long and catches them all year long. I've been catching fish this year with a custom Hardcore Drum. After that I don't much success with any other brand or color.

[bassboogieman]

Spring and Fall best times for a lipless crankbait. If you choose rattletraps - you should really upgrade the hooks. The original rattletraps have about the worst hook I've ever seen on a lure. Bill Lewis has a couple versions of the rattletrap now and some have better hooks, but the original with the silver (almost look chrome plated) hooks are pretty poor. Several ways to fish it: fish active you can rip it about as fast as you can crank the reel, yo-yo is good in the sping & fall - let the bait drop to bottom and yank it back up, stop and go also works. Try different retreives and the fish will tell you which way they want it.

[BassMoJo]

There great for running over grass beds they really call the fish out

[abu4600]

I like them best in spring and fall around shallow grass beds and i will use a stop & go retrieve mostly. I like a reel with at least a 6.1 retrieve ratio.

[toppwatr]

thanks for all of the advice. i think as soon as i can im going to get a small lipless crank for the ponds and creeks and river for small and large mouth. if i can i would like to get one with chrome silver sides and a black or blue top. does anyone know the smallest size of redeye shad they have? do they have any small enough for ponds or a smallie stream???

[BassMoJo]

They all eat the same sizes I think the red eye comes in like 3 or 4 different sizes but if your gonna throw it in ponds a lighter one my be better because u can keep it closer to the surface. If I was you I would save the red eye for the river and fish plastic baits like senkos or chigger craws in the pond that's just my opinion.

[toppwatr]

I have some four inch chigger craws. You think they would work in a pond?

[bamabassman]

the rattle trap comes in a 1/8 ounce size. i think it is the smallest.

[3dkicker]

Red Eye comes in 1/4 oz. and will work in ponds and streams.

Chigger craws in 4" size will catch largemouth bass and smallies in ponds. The 3" might be a little better especially if the fish run smaller. I'd play with them in the stream too.

[toppwatr]

yea. i think ill get a 1/4 oe 1/8 crank soon. im gonna try a crawfish color

[Patrick Krueger, Jr.]

I use a 1/2 ounce lipless cb in very small ponds with success.