Rattling Rapalas

[Topwaterspook]

I happened across a closeout on Rattling Raps at Dick's. I'm not that big a fan of them but it was such a good deal that the "bait monkey" got me. I took some of them fishing and couldn't get any but one to run straight. I tried over and over to tune them. Finally, in disgust I took the split rings off and tied directly to the loop. That didn't work either. Finally I tied on a snap. Low and behold problem solved. I took the split rings off the rest that I'd taken with me and used the snap. Apparently the rings were the problem. Has anyone else encountered a similar problem with these or other baits?

[Marty]

I use Rattling Raps and haven't noticed any running problems. I just attach a duolock snap to the split ring.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I happened across a closeout on Rattling Raps at Dick's. I'm not that big a fan of them but it was such a good deal that the "bait monkey" got me. I took some of them fishing and couldn't get any but one to run straight. I tried over and over to tune them. Finally, in disgust I took the split rings off and tied directly to the loop. That didn't work either. Finally I tied on a snap. Low and behold problem solved. I took the split rings off the rest that I'd taken with me and used the snap. Apparently the rings were the problem. Has anyone else encountered a similar problem with these or other baits?

 

The Rattlins I have run true Rippins do as well. The Rattlins though Ive never caught a fish on fish just dont seam to like it might be the blugill pattern not sure.

Ive bought a few different brands lately Xcal,Yo-zuri,RatLtraps,SPRO,SK RES like 25 total and the only ones to not run true are 3 RES out of 5 of them I bought.

Thanks, you have given me a thing to try on the RES.

It is very annoying cause I bought them out of town so no way of returning them.

[tholmes]

I've used Rattlin' Raps for years and never had any problems with them running true. The finish is kinda fragile though, I have a few that the top layer of paint is completely gone.

 

Tom

[A-Jay]

Hi Stitch - glad to hear you're out on the water.

 

Which size Rap was it and what type / pound test line were you throwing ?

 

Sometimes the smaller rattle baits run a little funky when thrown on a heavier line.

 

A-Jay

[Bluebasser86]

Biggest problem I have with Rattlin Raps is I can never get a fish to eat one.

[smalljaw67]

The rattlin rap was one lipless crank I was never a fan of until my friend, who loves them, showed me a trick to using them. Unlike most lipless cranks in which a standard straight retrieve or a yo-yo type retrieve will work the rattlin rap seems to do really well when sweep your rod to the side rather than up like you do when you use the yo-yo retrieve. My friend tells me it is the shape of the bait that makes it killer when you pull it forward like that and I watched him kick my butt using a rattlin rap when I was using an Aruku shad, he would start reeling and then rip the rod sideways and reel up the slack and do it again and then before he would do it the third time he would be setting the hook, it was like clock work and ever since that I really like the rattlin rap.

[B@ssCrzy]

The rattlin rap was one lipless crank I was never a fan of until my friend, who loves them, showed me a trick to using them. Unlike most lipless cranks in which a standard straight retrieve or a yo-yo type retrieve will work the rattlin rap seems to do really well when sweep your rod to the side rather than up like you do when you use the yo-yo retrieve. My friend tells me it is the shape of the bait that makes it killer when you pull it forward like that and I watched him kick my butt using a rattlin rap when I was using an Aruku shad, he would start reeling and then rip the rod sideways and reel up the slack and do it again and then before he would do it the third time he would be setting the hook, it was like clock work and ever since that I really like the rattlin rap.

 

Hmmm...something I need to try.  Was it more of a quick rip or just slow pull to the side?  Thanks for the info.

[smalljaw67]

Hmmm...something I need to try.  Was it more of a quick rip or just slow pull to the side?  Thanks for the info.

 

 

A quick rip, sometimes you only have to rip it 6" or so and sometimes a full 2', it really is an experiment but I never caught any fish on the Rattlin Rap until I started doing that. I like having a variety of lipless baits and I only had 1 Rattlin rap until I my friend showed me the sideways rip now I own a dozen in 2 different sizes and 4 different colors.

[Topwaterspook]

Andy, I was throwing them on 12# Transition fluorocarbon. The ones most out of tune were the smaller ones. Another thing I noticed as I rooted through the "big bag" at home, is that the newer ones I bought have a slightly different shaped head. The old ones I've had for years, have a completely flat top to the head. These newer ones have a concave surface on top of the head. I'm no aerodynamic engineer, but am wondering if this has something to do with their errant running. As far as the paint chipping off, it's true for me too. I figure though, If I'm not banging the baits off rocks and wood and ripping them clear of weeds I'm not fishing them effectively........................If I feel better through next week, I hope to get my boat up to Erie. My grandson is chomping at the bit to go.

[A-Jay]

Andy, I was throwing them on 12# Transition fluorocarbon. The ones most out of tune were the smaller ones. Another thing I noticed as I rooted through the "big bag" at home, is that the newer ones I bought have a slightly different shaped head. The old ones I've had for years, have a completely flat top to the head. These newer ones have a concave surface on top of the head. I'm no aerodynamic engineer, but am wondering if this has something to do with their errant running. As far as the paint chipping off, it's true for me too. I figure though, If I'm not banging the baits off rocks and wood and ripping them clear of weeds I'm not fishing them effectively........................If I feel better through next week, I hope to get my boat up to Erie. My grandson is chomping at the bit to go.

 

Doesn't sound like the line was the problem Stitch.

 

A-Jay