Jigs - rattle/no rattle

[The Baron]

Our bass opener is just 3 sleeps away and jig fishing on the top of my list for this year.  I bumped up my selection from a local maker, adding both regular jigs as well as some with rattles.  For the jig gurus, where and when would you be throwing a jig with rattles vs. one without?  Is there every a time you would not throw one or the other?

[MainelyBASS]

Rattles in stained water where the jig loses it's drawing power. They wont see it well, so the rattle will draw them in closer to see the jig. Also in windy areas for the same reason. You can make an argument against using rattles in ultra clear water, on slick days based on the idea that you don't need extra attention brought to the bait. But I think the most important rule is the dirty water, 2nd windy conditions.

[Bankc]

Rattles in deeper stained water.  Though they usually don't hurt in shallow and/or clear water.  Most of the time with jigs, it doesn't matter too much for me, as I'm usually casting towards specific pieces of cover, so the jig is going to land right in front of the bass anyway (or that's the plan).  But if I'm fishing a ledge in deeper water, I'll specifically choose one with a rattle.  

[softwateronly]

I'm in the no rattle camp, but I only fish clear water and am not a guru.  Matter of fact, when there are multiple options with baits, I have more confidence in the silent version.  I lean towards more water displacement when visibility is poor(er).

 

scott

[Pat Brown]

I've never used rattles and I've never seen an animal that rattles around here and honestly bass hunt by sight and I catch my biggest fish on jigs consistently.

 

I'd focus more on rate of fall, profile, action of the trailer and then maybe color but really just use black and blue and you'll be fine.

[KP Duty]

I like a rattle inserted in my trailer...not those rubber tassle deals.

[GReb]

I’ve had good success with the strike king swim jigs that come with rattles. Whether it made a difference or not will forever be a mystery.  I don’t think it hurts in dirty water. 

[WRB]

Anytime low light or low visibility conditions are present.

Jig rattles simply add low clicking sounds that attract bass that are feeding on crawdad. Gary Klein’s rattle back jig is a good example to copy or buy.

The add on rattle collars look and act like legs and work OK.

Glass Venom rattles inserted into the trailer are the least effective imo.

Tom

[NorthernBasser]

2 hours ago, Pat Brown said:

 bass hunt by sight

 

Definitely true. But they also can feel any disturbance/vibration in the water from prey/predators with their lateral line as well. They also can 'hear' to a certain extent. Both are important when they live in water with little to no visibility. 

[Pat Brown]

1 hour ago, NorthernBasser said:

Definitely true. But they also can feel any disturbance/vibration in the water from prey/predators with their lateral line as well. They also can 'hear' to a certain extent. Both are important when they live in water with little to no visibility. 

 

 

I think this is true, but in my low visibility water it's important for them to know to get the heck away when they hear sounds that aren't normal!  ????

[T-Billy]

Fish easily find neds at night. No need for rattles on jigs IMO. That said, fishing with confidence is important. You fish better when you believe in what your doing, so if rattles give you confidence, by all means use 'em.

[WRB]

Brass ‘n Glass shaking worms works to attract bass in a positive way, it’s my go to rig for Texas worms for decades.

Lots noise background underwater for bass to sort out and hone in on. Clicks are positive a sound crawdads make. 

I have tried several different gadgets to add clicking sounds to my jigs over the decades old catching bass on jigs.

The Venom glass worm rattles didn’t have the catch rates of aluminum tube rattle with 2 steel balls.

Where I fish the water is generally 8’ to 10’ visibility or very good. I use rattles at night for added attraction and they work   good.

Tom

[Siebert Outdoors]

The only time I throw rattles is at night/low light or dirty water.  

[Catt]

99.95% of the time no rattles 

[whitwolf]

19 hours ago, Siebert Outdoors said:

The only time I throw rattles is at night/low light or dirty water.  

 

6 hours ago, Catt said:

99.95% of the time no rattles 

Ditto Mike.

 

Tommy, what situations do you throw a rattling jig?

[Catt]

1 hour ago, whitwolf said:

 

Tommy, what situations do you throw a rattling jig?

 

Tween late winter & early pre-spawn, off colored, cold water. 

 

Lunker Lures Rattleback Jig