Rat-L-Trap Type Baits 2024

roadwarrior reply :

Does anyone else notice that this particular type of lure

is very finicky? It seems to me that individual lures are

either killer or worthless. Same color, size, brand, apparent

action, etc. I have several that I have fished when the action

was hot without so much as a touch; tied on a "tried and true"

and BINGO!

As a specific example, I have a LC Max500 in "Sexy Shad" before

KVD made the pattern famous! I really like fishing this lure

because you can nearly spool a reel on the cast. I'll guess that I

have fished it 50+ hours over the past several years, producing

only a small fish or two. On the other hand, an XCalibur XR50

(chrome silver/ orange) is my "can't miss if they're biting" lure.

Go figure...

http://www.basstackledepot.com/xcalibur-xr50.aspx

8-)

Uncle Leo reply :

Yes I think it is the rattles. I used Aruka Shads in the past. I had one that was hot but the pattern chipped off banging into rocks. Bought an identical but did not work. I save that particular lure for a certain area on a certain lake where it produces. Found the new one did work at other lakes though just not as good.

By the way this lake is Braidwood which has a feature in this months BASS magazine.

Wayne P. reply :

About the only variable I have had experience with is size. I've been throwing at schooling bass and one size is ignored and another is productive. Color doesn't seem to matter.

As far as brands, I only use the ones with a flat leading edge ( like the Traps and Spots ) to get the most vibration and most lift since vegetation and timber is the primary cover were I use them.

MitchIsFishin reply :

The XR50 is great, found it because of folks here. As far as the original rat-l-traps go, I won't be buying anymore.

fishfordollars reply :

RW, you are right. funny how a lure can come out of the mold and catch a ton of fish and the next one won't. When I find one that is hot it goes in a seperate box for special occasions. They are true finds.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
RW, you are right. funny how a lure can come out of the mold and catch a ton of fish and the next one won't. When I find one that is hot it goes in a seperate box for special occasions. They are true finds.

Yeah, I'm putting a package together for Muddy and I warned him

that some of the lures have not produced for me. Generally, I would

rather throw them away than give them away, but maybe his guys will

have better luck in PA than I've had.

8-)

Blue Streak reply :

I have not found a great one yet form any bait maker and the Traps just don't work for me. But I keep trying.

CWB reply :

RW is right on.

I've tried most that cost less than $20.00 and wouldn't trade any of them for my old battle scarred Chrome/Blue Back Super Spot.

Something about that bait is magic. Of course now that I posted this I'll lose it on the first cast I throw it.

Raul reply :

Not all crankbaits are created equal and most of them are more equal than others.

There are some baits that have something special and most times you have to go to tenths of baits to find that particular bait that is special, I know it being mainly a crankbait fisherman; if such is true for plastic baits with wood baits it even more true.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
Of course now that I posted this I'll lose it on the first cast I throw it.

Hmm...

I heard some good reports on the Yo-Zuri Drum...I have owned two...

Lost both on the first cast...Darn things didn't work at all for me! From

now on I'll only throw them on a lake, recovering lures on the river is

not often an option.

Sam reply :

I have a favorite Rat-L-Trap.

Caught a big four pound smallie with the bait plus many other smaller bass.

The bait is chrome with a black back. A lot of the black paint is chipped off but I have not touched her up for fear I will destroy the action.

Have caught other smaller bass with other Rat-l-traps and other brands, but for some reason, this one Rat-L-Trap seems to attract fish.

Go figure?

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
...but for some reason, this one Rat-L-Trap seems to attract fish.

Yep, and this seems to be a common characteristic for these lures.

8-)

Catt reply :

I have a couple Rat-L-Traps and Smithwich Rouges that the manufactory says they do not make them in these colors but yet I have them; they are killer!

All of the tackle that does not produce for me I'll give to my oldest brother and he ends up whipping me every time out with these same lures.

fooman reply :

I think its the case with all crankbaits. You can buy 5 exact baits and only 1 might produce..Maybe a very small manufacturing defect that seperates the non=productive from the others..

As far as lip-less baits go I use a few differant manufactures,Rat-l-trap,Spot,Rattlin Raps,etc and have found that if 1 certain brand is not producing I can switch over to another and catch fish. Sometimes they want a differant sound or a slightly differant action.

If I only limited myself to 1 brand of baits I think I would be missing alot of fish

Brad_Coovert reply :

Fopr me, lipless baits seem to be one of those baits that on any given day, one brand, size, color, etc. just flat out kills the fish and the others don't.

I use all three sizes of the Arukushad, all of the XR and XRK series baits, 1/2 and 1/4 oz. Spots, R2Sea Twin Vibes and several LC baits and seldom will any two have the same catch rate. When I'm hunting fish during good lipless conditions, I will rotate through several baits and normally will find the best one pretty quickly.

mrbassky reply :

I have noticed some Rattle traps dont run the same. I dont know that it makes a difference or what but the proven ones always seem to work better. The more you use one the better it gets I heard once on theroy I read from a pro was supposed to be because a powder filled the rattle chamber over time. I dont know for sure but I think the premium baits are more consistent for me. Also some brands work better burned, ripped or slow rolled so that may be why you prefer certain types.

Certified Public Angler reply :

Ive actually been heating up on lipless cranks lately.

The_Natural reply :

Quote
Fopr me, lipless baits seem to be one of those baits that on any given day, one brand, size, color, etc. just flat out kills the fish and the others don't.
I use all three sizes of the Arukushad, all of the XR and XRK series baits, 1/2 and 1/4 oz. Spots, R2Sea Twin Vibes and several LC baits and seldom will any two have the same catch rate. When I'm hunting fish during good lipless conditions, I will rotate through several baits and normally will find the best one pretty quickly.

You can really hone a trap bite if you utilize a few different types of traps. A very wide flat surface on a trap (like the XR50) moves a lot of water and is very aggressive. The opposite would be the Lucky Craft LVR which is skinny and far less aggressive. I don't have a rhyme or reason on what trap I start with, but if I get a few fish on it...I will usually tie on a different type of trap on another rod.

On another note; the Spro Aruku Shad is the most impressive trap for the price...period. The finish on these baits is Lucky Craft quality...and I own a lot of L/C traps. My local Cabelas and Bass Pro have them for $7.99, but I get a pricematch when I show them Janns Netcraft has them for $5.99. I highly recommend the members here pickup a few of these....they are the deal.

basser89 reply :

I carry several brands in my lipless box: RatLTraps, Super Spots, Diamond Shads, Red Eye Shads and the Bill Norman brand (the name eludes me right now). While I usually start off with my 'Traps, there are days when one brand outshines the others. Whether its the profile, action or sound. If I'm in an area that screams lipless cranks, I'll run through the different brand until I find the one they want. I've become a believer in trying different weights as well. And have started adding a collection of smaller lipless cranks to my arsenal as well. I've had several occassions when the standard (1/2oz) size wouldn't catch a cold but when I switched up to a smaller (1/4oz) one they tore it up!

Stringjam reply :

Excellent post, RW.

I've been through a lot of lipless baits trying to figure out what I really like in a bait and what attributes make one productive over another.

I think the drop rate has a lot to do with what makes some baits produce over others in certain conditions.

I also think that in burn situations, the really tight action baits (e.g. XCaliburs, Daiwa T.D.Vibrations, etc.) tend to shine at their best, while being a little lame in situations when you need to slow it down.

I'm pretty happy with a Spot and a Jackall TN/70 - - it covers most of the ground I fish. I still whip out the Risebacker when I want a silent bait with a really slow drop, or the Daiwa when I really want to burn, but the Jackall is no stranger to that, either.

The more the merrier......I dig the vibes.

paul. reply :

kent i am also a huge fan of the xr50. these little baits are incredible! i also love the one knocker from xcalibur. i too have found that one particular type/brand of rattlebait will smoke other types some days. the next day the one that was hot will get smoked one of the types it whipped the day before. go figure.

one that i have yet to try, but i definitely will, is the new clackin' rap. it looks awesome. has anyone gotten one of these yet?

http://www.rapala.com/how2tv/

just lookin' at the vid makes me wanna order 10 of 'em. i really think this will be a hot bait this year. they have some really nice colors too.

zbass reply :

I have lipless baits that only come out when money is on the line. They are from a few different mfgs. Like RW and everyone else has said, there is something special about certain baits. I try not to throw these where there are toothy critters around. Lost a consistent 2# producer to a pike and just about cried.

BassFishingMachine reply :

My best producers are the Bill Lewis Rat-L-Traps, and Luckycraft LV-0.

I fish shallow waters from the bank in small ponds/lakes. The Lv-0 will run somewhere in the middle of the water column. Really helps me from cleaning the bottom on every other cast, like alot of lipless cranks have done for me in these shallow waters I fish :-/. The Lv-0 has produced well, and I really don't snag too much crap on it.

shootermcbob reply :

I had the most success with a super spot, chrome with black back. I fished it alot and it looks pretty gnarly, but it was the only lipless crank I had alot of catches with. I also caught a few nice fish on the strike king red eye shad in ........no, not sexy shad, but chrome with black back. By the way, I bought the super spot for a buck. ;D

roadwarrior reply :

Spro Aruka Shad?

http://www.spro.com/products/index.php?cPath=49_91&products_id=309&page=1&sort=3a

How 'bout size and color if I'm just going to pick up a couple?

8-)

Under the Radar reply :

Quote
Spro Aruka Shad?
http://www.spro.com/products/index.php?cPath=49_91&products_id=309&page=1&sort=3a

How 'bout size and color if I'm just going to pick up a couple?

Kent, I don't have a clue for you up there in TN. but down here in Central FL, the colors are wild shiner and the gold w/ black back, in the JR and the 75. haven't tried the new biggun's yet. i've got a box full of other colors, but these 2 are my best producers and goto's. Last year I letterally wore the finish of a couple, & those that have fished them will tell you that is difficult to do. I believe the tighter wiggle and higher pitched rattle are the difference for me. I still throw a "trap" once in awhile, but locally the arucu is da bomb.

moby bass reply :

Quote
kent i am also a huge fan of the xr50. these little baits are incredible! i also love the one knocker from xcalibur. i too have found that one particular type/brand of rattlebait will smoke other types some days. the next day the one that was hot will get smoked one of the types it whipped the day before. go figure.
one that i have yet to try, but i definitely will, is the new clackin' rap. it looks awesome. has anyone gotten one of these yet?

http://www.rapala.com/how2tv/

just lookin' at the vid makes me wanna order 10 of 'em. i really think this will be a hot bait this year. they have some really nice colors too.

The Rapala does look like a great bait. Guess I'll have to try a couple.

I have a bunch of Rat-L-Traps but I think only the chrome and black or chrome and blue have done much for me.

Primus reply :

Since we are on the subject of trap style baits, I was wondering if any have tried the BPS versions? I've bought a couple but haven't thrown them yet. I also read in article from the latest North American fishing club that Bill Lewis will soon be releasing the Vibra Traps which they claim has similiar frequencies to their BioSonics units.

Micro reply :

RW, pick up some Yo-Zuri Hardcore Drums while your at it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

http://www.***.com/descpageHDLYOZURI-YHD.html#

Stringjam reply :

Quote
Since we are on the subject of trap style baits, I was wondering if any have tried the BPS versions? I've bought a couple but haven't thrown them yet. I also read in article from the latest North American fishing club that Bill Lewis will soon be releasing the Vibra Traps which they claim has similiar frequencies to their BioSonics units.

I have some BPS Rattlin' Shads. They're very good baits! The action is on the aggressive (very snappy) side, and they work well at any speed. Just not for bottom fishing, though.....they fall over.

At the price Bill Lewis is putting on his new design - it better be good.....but I had to put on a long set of rubber boots just to read through all the lame marketing BS on the website.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
RW, pick up some Yo-Zuri Hardcore Drums while your at it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
http://www.***.com/descpageHDLYOZURI-YHD.html#

I'll get a couple for the Kentucky Lake Roadtrip, but I don't think I'll throw them in the river!

8-)

Chris at Tech reply :

Quote
Spro Aruka Shad?
http://www.spro.com/products/index.php?cPath=49_91&products_id=309&page=1&sort=3a

How 'bout size and color if I'm just going to pick up a couple?

8-)

5/8 oz

Old Glory

Spooky Shad

Clear Chartreuse

Gold Black

Primus reply :

Stringjam (from page 2)thanks for your comments on the BPS, the color that I bought was the Green Craw which is a good color for my neck of the woods in SW Michigan. At the very least with a relatively low price this would be a good selection in the lakes that have a lot of toothy critters, looks like I might have to get a few more.

JohnMac reply :

I have lots of lipless cranks as well and fish them all the time my constant producers over and over again are the xcaliber xr50 and the spro aruku shad. The xcalibur in melon and the aruku shad in the spooky shad color 5/8oz

Big Al reply :

For some reason I can only produce a decent amount of fish on rapala rattlin raps as opposed to other lipless cranks. I'm thinking it comes down to confidence in a certain bait because there's just something about a silver rattlin rap.

Also I had an experience last year where the bass would only hit one of my x-raps. They were just hammering it for awhile and it began to take on a little water making it suspend/sink very unnattractively. I figured that I could just put a new bait on, the same exact x-rap, but it didn't work. Exact same size and color but they didn't hit it. I put the waterlogged one back on just for kicks and sure enough I caught em again. I guess that's just what they wanted :-?

SkilletSizeBass. reply :

Great post RW, I think you hit the nail on the head with other baits besides the traps also....

We tear em up at times on a local watershed with Bomber 6a brown craw or red-fire craw w/yellow belly, and there is times one lure won't catch em and another exact same lure does. I think its a defect in these Bombers at times, it seems maybe the rattle gets "stuck" or maybe the lure takes in water or some type of production defect. Hang onto the good ones and pitch the bad ones.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
Hang onto the good ones and pitch the bad ones.

Raul has been making the statement about all lure classes for years:

A few lures are "magical", but what appears to be an identical plug can't

catch a cold!

The_Natural reply :

Quote

Quote
Spro Aruka Shad?
http://www.spro.com/products/index.php?cPath=49_91&products_id=309&page=1&sort=3a

How 'bout size and color if I'm just going to pick up a couple?

8-)

5/8 oz

Old Glory

Spooky Shad

Clear Chartreuse

Gold Black

I was like crap.... RW wanted to pick up a couple of these and I missed it. Looks like it didn't matter. That is a 10-4 on those recommendations. It is rare to have an inexpensive bait that I want to admire for a little bit. I had a great bite going on the 5/8oz Old Glory on Ray Bob here in Texas...and I broke it off. I was very unhappy. The $5.99 didn't bother me...it was the fact I didn't have another one. It's a Lucky Craft for the masses. I actually have been reaching for them over my LVR's, and saving my LVR's for more subtle trap bites (if there is a subtle trap bite ;D)

KevO reply :

I picked up an excalibur XRK75 from the Delo's booth at the Nashville fishing expo, and took it out today. I caught five bass on it one 2#, two over 3# and two over 5# (5.2 and 6.1). By far the best lipless crank I've ever thrown. I think I am going to sell all my rat-l-traps, super spots, and red eye shads to buy these baits. They are definately big fish baits.

Micro reply :

I recommend this lipless. Awesome bait. It has a nice action even at really slow speeds. And when it rests on the bottom, it rests on its nose at a 45 degree angle.

http://www.yo-zuri.com/Products/ProdHardcore/HCDrum.htm

Jake. reply :

Anyone tried the Ima Rock n' Vibe? They look great, but I haven't heard much about them.

guest reply :

like Big Al the rapala rattlin rap outfishes the others for me.

guitarkid reply :

I would add a comment but all I can seem to do is get them stuck.

-gk

cart7t reply :

Quote
Great post RW, I think you hit the nail on the head with other baits besides the traps also....
We tear em up at times on a local watershed with Bomber 6a brown craw or red-fire craw w/yellow belly, and there is times one lure won't catch em and another exact same lure does. I think its a defect in these Bombers at times, it seems maybe the rattle gets "stuck" or maybe the lure takes in water or some type of production defect. Hang onto the good ones and pitch the bad ones.

I don't remember which pro it was, might have been Fritts but basically said the same thing and it pertained to all molded hard crankbait type lures.

For some reason some of them just work better than others. Most of the pros have figured this out and the cranks they have in their boxes are not new but in fact, lures that have proven to catch fish. They normally don't carry untested crankbait type lures.

I know this is very true with old, pre-Rapala Wiggle warts. You could take a specific color, say green crawfish V62, and throw 6 of them brand new out of the box and 2 of them will far out fish the others. I don't know if it's some weird defect in the molding or manufacture that causes them to run differently than the others but there's a difference there for sure.

LVT Bassin reply :

Any recommendations for baitcasting reel gear ratios while using lipless crankbaits?

Thanks!

roadwarrior reply :

6.2 works just fine, but if you are buying a technique specific reel,

get 7+.

8-)

hawgchaser reply :

Quote
Any recommendations for baitcasting reel gear ratios while using lipless crankbaits?
Thanks!

Any 6:1 will do just fine. However, I use my burner reels for a little extra speed. Keep in mind, they don't always want it fast bt it gives me the option.

6644

Rat-L-Trap Type Baits 2024

related Fishing Tackle topic

previous topic

next topic

most viewed Fishing Tackle topic