Super User Micro Posted January 11, 2009 Super User Posted January 11, 2009 The best lipless thread got me thinking about this. I've bought some Rat-L-Traps recently where the quality control has been questionable. On several, the oval split ring had been spread so far to put it on that there was a gap and it wouldn't slide through the eye of the bait very easily. Another had a crack in the seam on the bottom of the bait that I didn't see when I purchased it that was big enough to stick my fingernail into. And more recently, I bought a firetiger colored trap and the paint was still tacky enough that it was sticky, I left finger prints in it, and it smelled heavily of fresh paint. I know these are inexpensive baits, but they are still one of the best baits on the market and in years past I never experienced the shoddy workmanship that I have seen recently. Anyone else seeing these sorts of problems?
Super User Catt Posted January 11, 2009 Super User Posted January 11, 2009 Have you considered emailing rat-l-trap.com or are you just continent complaining to us Â
Super User Micro Posted January 11, 2009 Author Super User Posted January 11, 2009 Have you considered emailing rat-l-trap.com or are you just continent complaining to us For a lure under $5, I'm pretty much just content complaining to you. Â I knew you wouldn't mind.
Super User Sam Posted January 11, 2009 Super User Posted January 11, 2009 Nope, never encountered any problems with the Rats. I would think that a phone call to Louisiana would produce some very good results as I know those people want their product to be the best. I will now have to double check all of my Rats for problems. Micro, thanks for the information. This is why we post and then discuss situations so everyone can be come more knowledgeable. Â
TrippyJai Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 I got a few from *** and I am not pleased. First off, the hooks are SUPER SHARP, so sharp that when I took the bait out, my trap had scratches all over it. Secondly, it was cracked on the bottom. Not really cracked, but more so split apart. I had to super glue it back into place. Lastly, the paint job was tacky as well and I could see my finger print on it, but I fixed that problem by placing in extra cold water. I am actually glad you brought this topic up because I wanted to ask the same questions. I didn't want to be the lone wolf ranting about the good old Rat-L-Trap. In my opinion, I wrote Rat-L-Trap an email, but I wouldn't extend myself trying to reach them, but if I had this happen to my lucky crafts, that's another story. Like Micro said, they are about $5.
Super User Micro Posted January 11, 2009 Author Super User Posted January 11, 2009 I did send an e-mail to the company, btw, but no response yet. Â I'll let you know what they say. Â
Super User roadwarrior Posted January 11, 2009 Super User Posted January 11, 2009 I'm not defending them, but you can exchange the lure hassle free. The lure is inexpensive to make and sells at a low price, often on sale. I doubt it's worth anything to the company to improve the lure. Several years ago when I fished Rogues, I ran into a distributor for Smithwick and had this same discussion. The bottom line is, most of the lures are fine and the cost/benefit of improving the lure isn't justifiable for the company. So, my suggestion is to either fish another brand or consider it your duty to take defective lures back for exchange. I have chosen to fish other brands. 8-)
Super User flechero Posted January 11, 2009 Super User Posted January 11, 2009 I bought 3 earlier this month... first new rattle traps (or lipless baits of any kind) that I have purchased in a couple years... Â 2 of the 3 had the tacky paint. Â Obviously it is something wrong with the process as any paint will dry to the touch in the weeks or months since it's manufacture. Â Maybe we got baits from the very beginning or very end of a run where paint or thinner was running low/out causing the cure issue. ? I haven't looked to see if the paint has cured since I bought them...
Super User Micro Posted January 11, 2009 Author Super User Posted January 11, 2009 I've had the lure in the picture for a couple of months now, and the paint is still tacky and it still stinks. Â
BARON49_Northern NY Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 Due to this very thing I have chosen to leave them behind and look for other lipless baits and to be honest have found several that actually work better and have had little or no problems out of the package.
BassFishingMachine Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 Don't think I ever had this sort of problem with cracks, or bad paint on them. Only problem I ever have is the hooks being total garbage, I have no clue what your talkin about TrippyJai, the hooks I get when I buy em at sportsauthority, or dicks are total garbage, I sharpen them with a hook hone.
bigbass49 Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 I would go with a different brand like strike king or rapala but that up to you.
Super User Munkin Posted January 11, 2009 Super User Posted January 11, 2009 I would go with a different brand like strike king or rapala but that up to you. SK and quality should never be in the same sentence! Allen
Garnet Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 I would mail it back and stay positive and firm. You might be very surprised at what you get. Garnet
Fishing Doug Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 My luck recently with Rat-l-Traps has not been good. Bad paint, bad hooks, split on the bottom..you name it. I officially put them on my 'do not buy' list. Not to highjack this thread, but wasn't Bill Lewis Lures coming out with a new model with tungsten rattles? Does this sound familiar to anyone? Just wondering if any has used these... FD
wishin4fishin Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 My luck recently with Rat-l-Traps has not been good. Bad paint, bad hooks, split on the bottom..you name it. I officially put them on my 'do not buy' list. Not to highjack this thread, but wasn't Bill Lewis Lures coming out with a new model with tungsten rattles? Does this sound familiar to anyone? Just wondering if any has used these... FD There is the Vibra-Trap line. I have no experience w/ this bait but it is one of BL most recent offerings.
Super User burleytog Posted January 11, 2009 Super User Posted January 11, 2009 There are much much better lipless baits on the market, so why bother with an obviously inferior product?
Super User Catt Posted January 11, 2009 Super User Posted January 11, 2009 There are much much better lipless baits on the market, so why bother with an obviously inferior product? Not by much I buy my traps here in Louisiana and have never had a problem with the paint on them; I also worked for Academy Sports and Outdoors traps are the #1 selling lipless crank bait for both salt and fresh water in during that time frame I never once had a complain other than the hooks. So if y'all will just box them up and ship them here I gladly take them off your hands. Â
TrippyJai Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 Don't think I ever had this sort of problem with cracks, or bad paint on them. Only problem I ever have is the hooks being total garbage, I have no clue what your talkin about TrippyJai, the hooks I get when I buy em at sportsauthority, or dicks are total garbage, I sharpen them with a hook hone. I don't have my camera on me so I can't take a picture to show you the cracks or scratches on my baits. As you can see in the picture, the new Rat-L-Traps uses a black EWG treble hook and they are sharp. So if you are saying the new hooks are dull, then I have no idea. You can also see the hook points on the bait and that is where my lures have scratches. I'm not the only one complaining about these baits, so there is a problem here. If I had any ideas my order would be like this, I wouldn't have placed it. My old Rat-L-Traps that I've had for years have caught me fish since I was a kid. It's the only reason why I went back, but I will not order anymore.
ptomacbass Posted January 11, 2009 Posted January 11, 2009 I've only bought one bill lewis rattletrap and dont think i'll be buying another. Â The Eagle Claws are terrible. Â They rust and dull way too easily.
Super User cart7t Posted January 12, 2009 Super User Posted January 12, 2009 I've only purchased a few traps in the past year. Â Most of them were floating traps with a couple regular ones thrown in. Â I didn't have an issue with any of them. Â
senko_77 Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 The lack of quality is one of MANY reasons why I am no longer with Rat-L-Trap, and the other reason being that they stole an idea I gave them and they gave me no credit other than a pat on the back and a thank you  > Fish Aruku Shads and Rattlin' Vibes....you will be alot happier.
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted January 12, 2009 Super User Posted January 12, 2009 it must be a 2008 thing i have  some 15 yrs old still kickin with plenty of bite marks on um who is payin 5 bucks for um anyhow you can get um 3 bucks and change mostly anywhere and for that price u can afford to buy 4 at a time
cbfishalot Posted January 12, 2009 Posted January 12, 2009 I just picked up 6 traps today at Gander Mountain. Â I went through all the ones on the pegs that were still marked $3.29. Â They are marked on the pegs at $5.99. Â Are you kidding me!! Â The store wasn't to happy but the gave them to me for $3.29. Â They all were in the old packing except the LEGEND sticker. Â Same old cheap hooks and round o-rings. Â The first thing I did was change all the hooks and increasd the baits price by a little over a dollar. Â Now I can't wait to go out and beat them against all the cover and trash that pretty looking paint job.
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