Throw Huge Rat Baits to Catch Larger Bass

4-time Bassmaster Traditional winner Rick Clunn famously mentioned, “If you wish to perceive the owl, research the mouse that controls him.”

He seemingly meant it figuratively. To grasp bass conduct, it pays to know the habits of their forage — shad, bluegill, crawfish and the like. More and more, although, bass anglers are studying that there’s extra reality to what Clunn mentioned then we realized. There are a number of rat-imitating lures that’ll produce a number of the greatest catches of your life, if solely your coronary heart can face up to the unimaginable violence of the strikes.

It’s not new information that bass – particularly largemouths, however the different species as nicely – will feast on terrestrials if given the possibility. Primarily based on hypothesis or maybe the occasional well-timed sighting, we’ve supplied up lures meant to mimic rodents for many years. Some had been anatomically right, just like the Heddon Meadow Mouse. Others had been simply floor lures with life like paint jobs, like Arbogast’s chipmunk-themed Jitterbugs and Hula Popper from the “Seein’s Believin’” sequence. Then alongside got here a number of the earliest hollow-bodied frogs with rat colours, just like the Mann’s Tremendous Rat, developed by Alabama angler Lloyd Expertise to scoot over his house state’s huge grass mats.

However our buddies out west weren’t happy with these limited-window samples. As huge bait tradition began, first slowly, then dashing downhill, huge swimbaits and glide baits gave option to huge clacking rats. 

New Species of Vermin

Early on, it was the storage lure producers close to western waters who pushed rat bait designs. Guys like Scott Whitmer at twenty second Century Swimbait Firm, Jerry Rago, and a number of different small-scale artistes constructed jointed rodent imitators that regarded like they got here straight out of a pet retailer – or a sewer. They’d our bodies that totaled 5, 6, or 7 inches lengthy with a chunk of plastic worm for a tail that made them 10 or 12 inches complete.

Some rat lures might be walked, and even cranked subsurface successfully, however one of the best amongst them had a nails-on-a-chalkboard sound after they crept alongside the floor of the water. The mixture of a squeaky joint and the rhythmic slapping of the lure’s sections created a cacophony, and the visible of the shimmying lure, with the ultra-natural huge gait of the tail appealed to a number of senses. They’ve an enormous presence within the water, and can pull a fish from a distance whereas additionally enjoying to the territoriality of fish holding tight in remoted cowl.

Rat Baits

I’m not satisfied that each bass that eats a rat-style bait is aware of what it’s purported to symbolize. It’s the truth that it appears to be like alive and actual, and doubtlessly threatening, that makes it a possible goal. Actually, as a result of it doesn’t resemble their main forage, it could in some instances be much more interesting.

Whereas these preliminary small-batch rats typically commanded triple-digit value tags, in recent times, I’ve discovered a number of which might be far inexpensive but appear to get bit simply as a lot. Chief amongst them is SPRO’s jointed rat, which is available in 4 sizes from a complete size of 5 inches (2.5-inch physique) all the best way as much as 10 inches (5.25-inch physique). I’ve been stunned at what number of fish of two kilos or much less will completely maul the biggest of these 4 fashions, even at occasions after they’ll ignore the smaller ones. Whereas the second-largest (7.5-inches complete, with a 4-inch physique) is the one which will get me essentially the most bites, the largest one has produced my largest rat fish. 

A number of the different extra fairly priced rats which have carried out exceptionally embody the PB Rat, Mike Bucca Bull Rat and Evergreen Fight Rat. I’ve actually grown to love the PB Rats and Mouse, which are available one-, two-, three- and four-piece variations, with very primary paint jobs however super-annoying (to the bass) sound profiles. They merely get bit. 

I stick principally with black, white and numerous pure colours, though some anglers swear by gaudy “Morning Daybreak” or chrome rats.

When and The place to Throw a Rat Bait

I like the little SPRO Rats when fish don’t decide to an aggressive strolling bait or buzz bait or perhaps a Whopper Plopper. There’s one thing about the best way they’ve an enormous presence with out being intimidating that will get reluctant bass to interrupt the floor and engulf them. I’ve caught fish with them from the prespawn nicely into the late fall.

I discover the true mega rats to be rather more situational, although. First, you must be in a state of affairs the place the bass aren’t tremendous spooky — or, even higher, after they’re downright curious. A 2- to 4-ounce laborious bait splashing down on high of a skittish bass is kryptonite, except they’re in a feeding mode and trying to be referred to as from a distance for a straightforward meal. 

Whereas I’ve caught bass on them when there’s harsh overhead solar, my greatest home windows of alternative have are available low-pressure conditions proper earlier than a change in climate. If there’s a storm about to blow via, and the wind is kicking, the massive profile nonetheless will get seen via the chop. 

Final 12 months in Mexico, I had simply such a state of affairs come up late within the night, and I caught three bass within the 7-pound vary round bluff ends and over shallow rock factors earlier than getting chased off the lake by lightning.

Clearly, these lures profit from protecting water, the place they seize consideration and pull fish up. If you could find a grass line, pad line, stretch of riprap, or row of bushes the place you may stroll them enticingly with out getting hung up or fouled, that’s an ideal recipe for fulfillment. On the identical time, I discover that they will typically excel round remoted cowl, whether or not it’s a stump, a bush or perhaps a lone bolder. Crash it in aggressively you’ll be stunned at how typically the collision will get interrupted.

One different observe: I’ve had my greatest success on these lures on fisheries the place the water fluctuates. I can’t show it, however I’m fairly assured that bass on these waters are used to unusual objects and critters getting into their dwelling rooms frequently, and look above for a protein-packed snack.

Rat Deal with

Whereas smaller rats will be fished on bass deal with you seemingly have already got, from a medium-heavy baitcaster as much as a flipping stick, the bigger fashions require specialised deal with. I need a 7.5 foot to eight foot baitcaster with a protracted deal with, most likely the identical rod you utilize for laborious treble hook swimbaits — learn our Finest Swimbait Rods article for suggestions.

It allows me to make a protracted solid and maintain the rod tip up at a distance in order that the lure resists its urge to dive. Whereas it’s a heavy motion, I need some flex within the tip, as a result of I most frequently fish these lures on braided line. Fluorocarbon tries to tug them down, and monofilament doesn’t have the pulling energy that I need, though you may get away with 20- to 30-pound mono in the event you like. I desire 50-pound braid spooled on a 200 or 300-sized baitcaster, normally anyplace from my 5.8:1 Shimano Tranx (the slowest baitcasting reel that I personal) as much as a 7:1 reel like a Daiwa Tatula. I tend to over-reel these lures, and the slower pace and excessive torque could be a profitable mixture.

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As soon as that fish is on, get his mouth above the floor with a mouth filled with water and laborious crank him to the boat. This isn’t a time for taking part in him, as a single leap supplies distinctive leverage to shake free. Not solely do you wish to get that fish within the boat, however you wish to hearth out one other solid to expertise a kind of beastly strikes. They’re addictive, however they’re typically solely on provide for a brief time frame.