Bull Shad/Bull Gill/ BBZ-1 Rat advice

[NorthernBasser]

Hey guys/gals.

 

So I'm looking to get one of the Bull Shad/Bull Gill and a BBZ-1 Rat.

 

I'm just curious what your thoughts are on these baits. The sizes. The sink rates (or do you prefer floating versions).

 

I live in WI, so we aren't dealing with double-digit bass often. But I'd still like something a little bigger to get those bigger bites.

 

I was thinking about getting the Bull Shad (slow sinking) in the bone color. Tackle Warehouse only carries it in 6". What's your opinion on the 6" vs the 7"? But then I got to thinking since bluegill is the more prevalent prey of the bass around these parts, maybe I should go with a Bull Gill? I haven't heard much about these, where as the Bull Shads have a very good reputation, as I'm sure you know.

 

As far as the BBZ-1 rat goes, any thoughts on size? Was deciding between the 40 and 50. What about colors? I've heard some good things about Morning Dawn, even though it looks more like an alien life than an actual rat.

 

Lastly, any rod/reel recommendations to throw these baits?

 

Appreciate it!

[Big Swimbait]

The Shad & Gill will both get bit - I get more bites on the Shad than the Gill even on lakes where they are dominant. You are correct about that Morning Dawn colored rat in the daytime. At night or low light conditions the darker colors work best for me.

[NorthernBasser]

49 minutes ago, 1201vilbig said:

The Shad & Gill will both get bit - I get more bites on the Shad than the Gill even on lakes where they are dominant. You are correct about that Morning Dawn colored rat in the daytime. At night or low light conditions the darker colors work best for me.

Thanks. What size Bull Shad do you throw? 

[Big Swimbait]

4 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Thanks. What size Bull Shad do you throw? 

5" & 6" mostly - I have one of the 9" but I get more bites on the 5 & 6. I just picked up a couple of the new 4" but haven't thrown them yet.

[Bluebasser86]

6" BS is a good size, catches numbers and size. I can't get bit often on gill swimbaits, despite them being a major food item for our fish, so I haven't invested in a Bull Gill. 

 

Get the 50 size Spro. Morning dawn would be my color of choice for an all around color. It's a big enough bait they find it at night despite it being a light color. 

[NorthernBasser]

Awesome. Thanks fellas. I have the 6" bone Bull Shad & the BBZ-1 50 in my TW cart. ?

[Angry John]

I like the 40 size rat but i use the brown color.  I dont fish the "bull shads" but i do fish the mattlures shads.  The 6" gets the thumbs up in that bait for me.  I had a hard time until i started really cranking it.  They have video's out now about how mike recommends burning the BS.  The bigger baits will draw big bites but you will get less bites.  If your into trophy hunting then that may be ok, but you have to be willing to put in a lot of work for that pay day.

[Scarborough817]

i've had a lot of fish on a bbz rat but i have also had a fair number on the bullgill. personally i would go with the bull shad because it's a great bait and doesnt have the problems a gill profile does

[fishwizzard]

The 50 Rat is a producer of both size and numbers for me but it is a pig to cast.  The 40 works on a lot of MH or H rods and I did pretty well with them this year as well.  

[Comfortably Numb]

I totally agree with FishWizzard. 40 Rats still gets big bites and you can cast easily and accurately on a MH or Heavy.

 

50 is fun and also catches smaller fish but is heavy. You need a heavy rod and a lob cast. Fine line between that perfect cast right off the bank, and smashing it on the Riprap, dock, retaining wall, etc. They are durable tho.

 

Black works well but I dont think the color matters.

 

Fish them with a slow steady retrieve. You will know the right speed when you hear the clacking and it just feels right.