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Favorite Rattle Trap (Vibration) bait type/brand 2025


fishing user avatarTournyFish001 reply : 

I just want to see what you guys are using for rattle traps, I have used them more this year than any other- I would like to possibly know what colors you like in your brand of choice-

I am sure this has been brought up before but what the heck! :D


fishing user avatarcajun1977. reply : 

lucky craft vibe      sunfish color


fishing user avatarStringjam reply : 

I have used a buttload of vibes from the big mfgs to the obscure small Japanese companies - searching for my favorite vibes.....so here they are:

Shimano Complex Undulator

Air Viper Risebacker

CORDELL SPOT

Spro Aruku Shad

Mamiya-OP Hunting Vib Jr.

Jackall TN-70

Yes, that's a Cordell Spot right there by other lures costing about 6 or 7 times as much.    :D    The Shimano has an action completely unlike any other lipless bait out there - almost like a shallow flatsided lipped crank.  


fishing user avatarroadwarrior reply : 

Yo-Zuri RatlN' Vibe, red (crawfish)

Lucky Craft LV500-Max & LV300 (Spring Craw & Aurora Black)


fishing user avatarJeff H reply : 

My collection is all Rapala and Bill Lewis.  My best colors are chrome/blue back Rapala and Bill Lewis Junebug Spark L Trap.  other notables are chrome/black and Shad Rapala's and Lewis Bleeding Shiner.   I just have too many of these things I don't even use.


fishing user avatarCatt reply : 

Bill Lewis ½ oz Rat-L-Trap Gold/Black Back/Orange Belly or Red Chrome  :D


fishing user avatargc reply : 

Bassday  - Range Vib (better known as a seabass bait here in Japan)  and

Rapala - Rattlin Rapala


fishing user avatarivey_fish_camp reply : 

Bill Lewis 1/2 oz Rat-L-Trap, Bill Lewis 1/4 oz Rat-L-Trap, both blue and chrome with some red, red trebles. I caught some fish on them today.


fishing user avatarMALTESE FALCON reply : 

Rattlin Rapala in Red Crawdad and silver/blue.

Falcon


fishing user avatarjustfishin reply : 

Bill Lewis Rattle Trap in 1/2 and 1/4. Chrome/Blue Back, Red Chrome, Gold/Black Back, Bone ( I guess you could call it bone. I take off the rest of the finish from my old battle scarred ones). I always change the hooks when I buy them with #4 Excalibers.


fishing user avatarT-rig reply : 

Lucky Craft LV-500Max

Evergreen Buzzer Beater

Tsunekichi Heravib 65S

Shimano VR 66A

post-7272-130162872874_thumb.jpg


fishing user avatarVyron reply : 

Lucky craft lv 500 max

Duel 3D Vib

Duel hardcore drum

Rapala rattlin

Bill lewis rat-l-trap

Berkely Frenzy rattlr

All of them catch fish .


fishing user avatarTaliesin reply : 

I stick with the original Rattle Trap.

My local lake has TONS of shad, so I usually stick with chrome in 1/4 and 1/2 oz.


fishing user avatarbugman reply : 

Bill Lewis 1/4 & 1/2 oz Traps, Chrome-Blue up north and Smokey Joe in Fla. I have a few Arku Shads but have not had much luck with them. I have been buying a few LC baits this year but no LV's because of the price and the Traps work so well for me.


fishing user avatarzbigbadaaron reply : 

Rat L Trap, and rattlin' rapala


fishing user avatarInfidel. reply : 

1/4oz Rat-l-trap in baby bass

1/2oz Rat-l-trap in Clown Halo, Tequila Sunrise

1/2oz Rattlin Rap in the original Brown Craw and Firetiger (If you have any that you would like to part with just let me know)  :D

I have other more expensive baits but I bought them mainly because they caught me.  The Japanese baits have great sunfish patterns but the bass out here aren't as impressed as I am.  The catch plenty of fish and I don't mind paying for them but they just aren't at the top of my list.


fishing user avatarSPAZ reply : 

My two most productive have been LC MV500max and the Xcalibur XR50


fishing user avatarStringjam reply : 

I think a lot of what makes a productive vibe is how you fish them.   If throwing them out and cranking them in fast is as far as you go with it, then the differences between lipless baits is going to be pretty slim, since they all have a fairly similar action and profile at speed.   However, when you start slowing them down and fishing using other techniques with them - the differences between the vibes really starts showing up.  

We have a lot of steep rocky banks and deep structure around here, so something I tend to do a lot of is fishing vibes on the BOTTOM.  Just like a blade bait or a soft plastic, and there aren't many vibes that are designed to do it well.   The ones that are "nose stand."  When you let them sink to the bottom they sit there on their nose with the tail stuck up in the air.    

Here's some that nose-stand: (left to right, upper then down)

Spro Aruku Shad (same design as an Ever Green Buzzer Beater, only the Ever Green flops over on it's side when you let it fall)

Jackall TN 70

Mamiya-OP Hunting Vibe Jr.

XPS Rattling Shad (previous version, now disc.)

Shimano Scorpion "A"

Air Viper Risebacker Sound-Lo, or Sound-Less  (the hi-sound rattling versions fall over because of the weight of the rattles)

(BTW...a Cordell Spot also stays up pretty well)

lipless1.jpg

You can also drop these lures vertically and use a subtle popping action with your rod - - the lures will appear to be "tapping" their noses against the bottom, like a fish feeding off the bottom.    

Another attribute I look for is one that allows me to elicit the bait's designed action at a very low speed.   The best vibes I've used so far that start dancing as soon as you give them a tug are the Jackall TN70, Mamiya-OP and sound-less Risebacker.   The Cordell Spot is also very good.  

Sorry for being so long-winded and analytical......but I find that when discussing what is the "best" lure - - the situation the lure is used in, and what it is designed for needs to be addressed.   There's no need to purchase a very expensive lure that is designed to do something that you don't intend to do with it.

And FWIW, the only vibe I've used with a completely unique action and something really different to show the fish is the Shimano Complex Undulator.  Widest wobbling vibe I've ever used.

complex.jpg

BTW - - - T-Rig - how do you like the Tsunekichi Vibe?   I've had a hard time trying to track one of those down - they usually sell the second they hit the 'Bay.  


fishing user avatarT-rig reply : 

The Tsunekichi vibe is great! It vibrates even on a very slow retrieve. There's one (silent model) available here: www.ichibantackle.com

What do you think of the Megabass Vibration-X Ultra silent?


fishing user avatarKy_Lake_Dude reply : 

Bill Lewis. chrome/black and red crawfish.

080807_17241.jpg


fishing user avatarMaxximus Redneckus reply : 

I dont use them much but .....Bill lewis rattle trap in chrome and black IT WORKS thats all that matters  :D


fishing user avatarBassHunter69 reply : 

right now ive only got 2 lipless cranks  :D i need more bad.  ;D

those 2 cranks are

1.strike kings red eye shad tennessee perch color

2. Bill Lewis rat l trap 1/4 oz mini trap which is a small mouth color


fishing user avatarguest reply : 

I think I've caught more bass on a 1/2 oz gold bill lewis than any other.

closely followed by chrome/blue/oragnge bill lewis.

next is the LC lvmax 550 in aurora black

then the yo-zuri harcore drum in a sorta mustard color.

I really like the looks ofthat of that shimano  - where y'all get em?


fishing user avatarT-rig reply : 
  Quote
I think I've caught more bass on a 1/2 oz gold bill lewis than any other.

closely followed by chrome/blue/oragnge bill lewis.

next is the LC lvmax 550 in aurora black

then the yo-zuri harcore drum in a sorta mustard color.

I really like the looks ofthat of that shimano - where y'all get em?

www.ichibantackle.com


fishing user avatarStringjam reply : 
  Quote
I think I've caught more bass on a 1/2 oz gold bill lewis than any other.

closely followed by chrome/blue/oragnge bill lewis.

next is the LC lvmax 550 in aurora black

then the yo-zuri harcore drum in a sorta mustard color.

I really like the looks ofthat of that shimano  - where y'all get em?

I got mine from Sayaka603 on ebay


fishing user avatarBankbeater reply : 

Bill Lewis Rat-l-trap 1/2 and 1/4 ounce sizes

Cotten Cordell Super Spot 1/2 and 1/4 ounce sizes

The color I use depends on how deep I will be fishing and how clear the water is.


fishing user avatarTriton21 reply : 

Bagley Baitfish in Bleeding Shad.

Kelley


fishing user avatarsenko_77 reply : 

I've narrowed down all my trap fishing to 3 baits.  Each one having a specific job.

For shallow water I love the Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap in 1/4 and 1/2oz in Diamond Dust and Chart/Black back

For covering water or getting slightly deeper in the strike zone I always go with the Yo-Zuri Rattl N' Vibe in Baby Bass....this bait has been my biggest Vibe bait producer in the last 2 years, and for some reason I get more strikes when really burning this bait than when I use a normal retrieve like I would with the Lewis Rat-L-Trap.

And when I'm crashing the bait through grass or timber I always go with the Spro Aruku Shad in Perch with the stock hooks changed to just one #1 Gamakastu treble on the front of the bait.  The Spro is unbelievably effective at coming through grass.

Also, what kind of rod does everyone use when your fishing traps (power & action)?  I've always read that a Medium power with a real soft tip is best but I've lost alot of fish using a rod with those specs because it seemed like I couldn't keep the fish down and they would shake the hook when they came up.  Once I switched to a 7' MH my landing ratio went way up because it seemed like I could control the fish better and get them to the boat faster.


fishing user avatarTriton21 reply : 
  Quote
 Also, what kind of rod does everyone use when your fishing traps (power & action)? I've always read that a Medium power with a real soft tip is best but I've lost alot of fish using a rod with those specs because it seemed like I couldn't keep the fish down and they would shake the hook when they came up. Once I switched to a 7' MH my landing ratio went way up because it seemed like I could control the fish better and get them to the boat faster.

Ryan, I use a 7'6" M/H rod with a fast tip.  I have found that I lose very few fish and helps a lot when 'rippin' the grass.

Kelley




8707

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