RATTLIN' UP BIG MUSKIES
Al Denninger © 2006

This article is about noise; the rattling noise that many lure manufacturers build into their baits. Its not new - the first sound chamber bait was The Drake Sea Bat back in the late 1930's. Manufacturers have since improved on them over the years, with more and more companies coming out with their own versions of the rattling bait. If this was a word association quiz, I'd say "rattle bait", and you'd probably say "bass bait" as the comeback. But ask the same question to those who have had a lot of experience with this style of lure and the comeback more than likely would be walleye or Musky. Surprised? Well don't be. It's been well known by many of the top guides for years that these so called bass baits were their ace in the hole for those slow days on walleyes and surprisingly they caught a fair number of Musky on them, also. Well it wasn't long before rattle baits were not just for slow days anymore. It has now become one of the first baits out of my tackle box.

When it comes to Musky fishing, we all know how much of a traditionalist many can be. But believe me, it's worth breaking ranks and trying to rattle up "Big Green". Here is a classic example of what I mean about a traditionalist. A few years ago I was guiding two clients on the Chippewa Flowage for Musky. It was one of those hot dog days in early August. In four hours of fishing we only managed to pry loose one small Musky from the deep weeds. After enjoying a delicious home cooked meal at Herman's Landing, I suggested that after lunch we try walleye fishing for an hour or two. Both clients gladly agreed. Out came two count-down minnow style baits and one RAT-L-TRAP, and we began working the same deep weeds we had struck out on before lunch. In two hours fishing we boated and released a 38" and a 39 ½" Musky and 5 walleyes from 15-19" plus one 25 incher. Not bad for a dog day afternoon. All but two walleyes were caught on the RAT-L-TRAP. The clients were happy but told me they really didn't like fishing with this type of bait. They preferred the bucktails.

The following day I had two different clients, but the same weather conditions. We fished rattle baits and boated 5 Musky, (3 undersize; 2 keepers) and 11 walleyes. The following day my two clients fished all day and only tried the rattle type baits for 30 minutes, then gave up on it and went back to bucktails and jerkbaits. They never boated a fish all day.

There is a time and place for every bait, and plenty of those times when a rattle bait will earn its place in your tackle box. Here are some facts and tips to help you rattle up Musky:

I've found the ½ oz. version rattle bait seems to be the best all-round size for both Musky and walleye. Color does not seem to make to much difference. The sound seems to be the key. I have settled on chrome with the black back, after trying most colors on the market. It seems to catch as many fish as most colors and more than a few other finishes.

Also most rattle baits run twice as deep on a troll as when cast. If it's 4' down on a long cast, it will go 8' down on a troll. One really big aid in helping you fish rattle baits along with many other crankbaits is a chart by Wille Products. It has research information on over 200 baits. Information such as casting and trolling depths that each lure runs with different size line and distances. This chart may be purchased through your local sporting goods store or by writing Wille Products, CTS Co., Box 532, Brookfield, WI 53008.

The really amazing thing about rattle baits is you can hear the rattle (sounds like a hum) when the bait is 60' - 70' from the boat and 6' down. It's no wonder that it provokes strikes.

On the Chippewa Flowage in Sawyer County where I do most of my fishing, the past few seasons we have pounded the walleyes in deep weed beds and hooked over 30 Musky last season alone with these overlooked lures. Due to the bite offs we only boated 12 of those Musky. I am now using a small, 3" wire leader. This leader not only saves the bite off problem, but a quick jerk with the rod tip and the leader actually cuts the weeds off.

As far as retrieves go, the steady retrieve seems to work best. I also like working these baits over fish cribs and natural brush. These areas have produced some trophy Musky. Using this bait, vertical jigging can also be very effective. One trick I have learned is when a client gets a follow up on a conventional Musky bait, it's a RAT-L-TRAP and Reaper Tail that goes over the side in an effort to provoke a strike. Of course the old stand by Figure 8 should be employed first, but after all your hard fishing efforts to get a good fish interested in your offering don't seem to work, don't just give up on him. Try to rattle him up. One other trick that has worked in the past is to have the bucktail chasing the rattle bait next to the boat. As you can see, there is no limit to the ways you can use this bait.

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