Rattletraps

[HugoBox]

Do any of you use rattletraps early in the season? I have a few 4 inch type sized which may be good early but I've been looking for some a bit bigger. I think they would be a great search bait when forage is on the smaller side and scattered out.

Only about 16 weeks before we're back at it...

[bronzeback]

were you watching the bassmasters classic this weekend too?

Just about everyone in the top 10 was throwing lipless cranks and they went on about how it's because those baits give off so much vibration and are a really great cold water tactic.

If that's not why you brought this up, then nice coincidence, but I was honestly wondering the same thing.

[goblueM]

"cold" water being the key word... i bet "cold" to those southern bass guys is not very cold to us

but i bet not many musky guys toss large lipless cranks! probably a pretty good tactic

[muskydeceiver]

I know I have heard of guys using them, but I don't think they would be overly effective in a system that doesn't have shad in it. Maybe if they are targeting shiners it could be a good option. Producer Tackle makes a nice Trap. I think it is Stamina that has the same bait for a lot less, but I am not sure if that is the correct company or not.

[bronzeback]

some of the water temps in the lake they were fishing was pushing freezing during the weeks leading up to the tournament. I think temps were in the 38 area on the first day, but they hit high 40's on day 3. I won't disagree with you though that they have a completely different definition of "cold water"

[dudeness]

Deceiver said it, Shad are the key. These baits basically replace bucktails for the southern musky guys early in the season when shad are pushed up shallow. I'm sure you could throw something a lot worse but I think they really "match the hatch" when shad are present.

[HugoBox]

I actually didn't see the Bassmasters. I just remember catching a few "accidental" muskies on them over the years when bass fishing. I'm messing around with a homemade 9 inch one but have a ways to go to getting the action and sound right. Just trying to see if you've had success on this type of bait or if its a waste of time and effort.

[Esox_Magnum]

I start the season with the same baits I use all year, hard to beat a DDD in cold water. Super Models work well to.

[Nick Kuhn]

The water in MN will be 60 degrees by opener, that's hardly cold. Saw quite a few fish on last years WI opener burning baby girls, so burning a lipless crank could work, depending on the structure you are fishing. Curly-leaf pondweed is a nuisance early in the year but the fish use it, and a lipless crank would be a nightmare to try fish through that stuff.

[guideman]

I have been throwing rattle baits for Muskies for years on Vermilion. I also use them in mid summer, when fishing in deep water. They are just like throwing a spinnerbait or any other search type bait.

They work when in shallow or deep, clear or cloudy, fast or slow, day or night. You can also use them for vertical jigging or a "YO Yo" type presentation when the Muskies (or Pike for that matter) are in deep water.

"Ace"

[Back2Dakota]

One of my favorites!

[HugoBox]

I have been throwing rattle baits for Muskies for years on Vermilion. I also use them in mid summer, when fishing in deep water. They are just like throwing a spinnerbait or any other search type bait.

Thanks Ace -

Mind if I ask what size/brand? I have a few of the bigger ones I could find but they still seem too small - maybe my perspective is wrong though. To quote Cjac, "Elephants eat peanuts right?"

thanks - erik

[mainbutter]

To quote Cjac, "Elephants eat peanuts right?"

lol, when discussing a lure being "too small", my uncle always says something similar:

"Well you eat M&Ms don't you?"

There's something to be said for working a lure that is more a snack than a meal for your target species. Last summer I hooked more muskies on senkos than any other lure.

When it comes to rattletraps, I've never had much luck on 'em, except in Florida. I don't know what it is (probably bad luck), but I gave up throwing them on fishing trips in Canada.

[guideman]

Most of mine are 1 to 1.5 oz but I don't have Rattle traps.

I use another brand. I have caught Muskie on rattle baits as small as 3/4oz in the cold water period. The size isn't as important as the action or the speed you use.

Shad patterns look alot like a cisco or a whitefish, which we have both of on Vermilion. You can find a number of different bait companys that have these baits in their inventory now.

"Ace"

[TurnUpTheFishing]

The magic of Lipless cranks doesnt wear off the further north you go. Minnesota bass fisherman dont blow them off as a southern tactic because these lures flat out catch fish any where in the country, so why would muskie fisherman blow them off?

First 'ski I caught last year was tossing a lipless crank around bass opener also caught several pike in the low 30s that day on 'em.

I dont have any muskie sized lipless baits but my cousin has some made by Ratl Trap that are probaby in the 6" range. This post has me wondering, maybe Ill just borrow some of those this spring...

[AWH]

I agree TUTF. I've never actually used rattle baits for muskies. But it doesn't make sense that I haven't. I've hooked into a number of muskies early in the season both in MN and WI throwing rattle baits for bass and walleyes. I think I've only caught one small one but I've lost a number of low 40s. I even hooked into a 50"+ sturgeon one spring on a Rattl'n Rap. I didn't land it. But that one surprised the heck out of me. Everything eats rattle baits!

Aaron

[cjac]

Small lipped and oversized walleye cranks more or less are one step up from what you're talking about with the Rattle Traps...I've got a couple in mind.

Early season, running shallow with a flash and erratic action & looking to trigger a strike.....

[Sabaskong]

2oz. rattletraps. early, mid or late season they are kick a.s baits, but don't tell anyone!

[cbrooks]

Over 400 baits and I don't have a rattle trap.

[Sabaskong]

Chris, you better make it 401 or 402. They can trigger fish that have seen everything else.

[cbrooks]

I was watching a video the other day about musky fishing down in Cave run lake in Kentucky & this is the go to bait for early season. I might have to try something new. I have an excuse to buy some more lures now haha.

[HugoBox]

I figured I'd share these with you fellas - not the best but different than what I've seen and hopefully different than what the fish have seen. They are about 8-9 inches long.

[guideman]

Hey Yo,

Those are about twice the size of what I throw in the spring time. Those would probably work anytime during the summer. Mine are more of a downsized version for the early part of the season when the water temps are still cold.

"Ace"

[Esox_Magnum]

Now that center one looks nice, I'm not a big fan of rattle baits for anything but I might throw that one.

[LanceJ]

Hey Ace, I'm the Lance that's dating Joe's niece Amy. I hope to get out with you and Davey a few times this year. Hope all is well. I'll have to pick up some new Rattle traps for Minaki this June.

Lance