Bass in the boat, rat in the water

[Bubba 460]

Got out to do a little fishing today and took "The Rat" with me for its maiden voyage. Several of you had asked about my homemade rat that I had posted a few days ago. I had not fished it yet and really didn't know what would happen ~ but first let's get the bass out of the way...

 

I caught this 21.5 inch bass on a black Whopper Plopper in the 130 size... Man did she smack it! She hit on a flat averaging about 3 foot deep. Lots of stumps, standing timber and sunken lay-downs. I cranked her in with 50 lb braid, mouth open like a wind-sock. Had her back in the water in 45 seconds. I had the net, measuring board and camera ready to go. I caught three lesser bass on a spinner bait.

 

The rat has a wooden body covered in fake fur and I figured it weighed about an ounce, fairly light for its size. What I didn't take into consideration (maybe this is why we have smart people like engineers) is what would happen, weight-wise, when all that fur got wet. I cast it out and OK, so it was not a "No Splash Entry", it hit somewhat softly on the water and waddled back making a wooden clacking noise that sounded something like Pinocchio dancing. When it got back to the boat I lifted it up, the rod bent double and it felt as heavy as a soggy butterball turkey!... It was then that I realized why they don't put fur on a bass lure ~Duh!  Water was pouring off of it and I wondered if anyone had ever had to wring out a lure? I cast it again and the heavy casting rod bent and groaned, the braid making a sound like a guitar string just before it breaks. The rat left a contrail of water glistening in the sky as it sailed through the air and hit the water with a depth charge of a splash. I'm pretty sure the shock- wave killed any fish within 30 feet of splash-down. After three casts I had to take a rest. Well, maybe a good time to revisit the drawing board.

[softwateronly]

Not an engineer but maybe something like this would help...

 

https://ultrahydrophobiccoating.com/super-hydrophobic-coating-textile-leathers/

 

because that rat looks beautiful.

 

scott

[BrianMDTX]

53 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

Not an engineer but maybe something like this would help...

 

https://ultrahydrophobiccoating.com/super-hydrophobic-coating-textile-leathers/

 

because that rat looks beautiful.

 

scott

I was thinking along the same lines. There should be some way to waterproof the fur to a degree to make it usable. Because you're right, that rat is a beautiful bait that needs to catch a hawg! 

[Eric 26]

12 hours ago, Bubba 460 said:

Got out to do a little fishing today and took "The Rat" with me for its maiden voyage. Several of you had asked about my homemade rat that I had posted a few days ago. I had not fished it yet and really didn't know what would happen ~ but first let's get the bass out of the way...

 

I caught this 21.5 inch bass on a black Whopper Plopper in the 130 size... Man did she smack it! She hit on a flat averaging about 3 foot deep. Lots of stumps, standing timber and sunken lay-downs. I cranked her in with 50 lb braid, mouth open like a wind-sock. Had her back in the water in 45 seconds. I had the net, measuring board and camera ready to go. I caught three lesser bass on a spinner bait.

 

The rat has a wooden body covered in fake fur and I figured it weighed about an ounce, fairly light for its size. What I didn't take into consideration (maybe this is why we have smart people like engineers) is what would happen, weight-wise, when all that fur got wet. I cast it out and OK, so it was not a "No Splash Entry", it hit somewhat softly on the water and waddled back making a wooden clacking noise that sounded something like Pinocchio dancing. When it got back to the boat I lifted it up, the rod bent double and it felt as heavy as a soggy butterball turkey!... It was then that I realized why they don't put fur on a bass lure ~Duh!  Water was pouring off of it and I wondered if anyone had ever had to wring out a lure? I cast it again and the heavy casting rod bent and groaned, the braid making a sound like a guitar string just before it breaks. The rat left a contrail of water glistening in the sky as it sailed through the air and hit the water with a depth charge of a splash. I'm pretty sure the shock- wave killed any fish within 30 feet of splash-down. After three casts I had to take a rest. Well, maybe a good time to revisit the drawing board.

I’m sorry for laughing but the picture you painted with your words made me laugh out loud. Hoping you figure out a solution as it is a beautiful looking lure. Good Luck ??

[TnRiver46]

The rat needs to lick itself after every cast to create an oily sheen that sheds water

[Bubba 460]

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

I’m sorry for laughing but the picture you painted with your words made me laugh out loud. Hoping you figure out a solution as it is a beautiful looking lure. Good Luck ??

 

Thank you Eric, that's exactly what I wanted to happen... I had to laugh at myself as well for being so short sighted.

2 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I was thinking along the same lines. There should be some way to waterproof the fur to a degree to make it usable. Because you're right, that rat is a beautiful bait that needs to catch a hawg! 

 

If a big bass hit this water-logged rat, jumped and shook his head the rat would knock him out!

[Bubba 460]

3 hours ago, softwateronly said:

Not an engineer but maybe something like this would help...

 

https://ultrahydrophobiccoating.com/super-hydrophobic-coating-textile-leathers/

 

because that rat looks beautiful.

 

scott

 

Something to look into once I get my arm out of the sling ~ Thanks

[Luke Barnes]

On 4/20/2021 at 9:21 AM, Eric 26 said:

I’m sorry for laughing but the picture you painted with your words made me laugh out loud. Hoping you figure out a solution as it is a beautiful looking lure. Good Luck ??

I know!! This guy is a great story teller and made an amazing looking rat!