Jigs and Rattles

[Autiger24]

What is your opinion on rattles? Useless? Necesity? Also if your favorite jig isn't made with a rattle what do you do?

[soccplayer07]

try doing a search. I posed a similiar question last year and I gathered from most that a rattle was not preferred.

[kbkindle]

my home lakes are stained to muddy water so i have better luck with rattle jigs

[OnthePotomac]

You really have to try with and without a rattle to see which works.  If you have a jig on which you want a rattle, you can buy jig rattles which slip on over the hook ahead of the trailer.  At least on the Potomac both work at various times.

[Tin]

Have a lot of super clear water up here and I use to use Picasso Jigs which have a fairly weak rattle that snaps off rather easy. I would be catching fish, then all of a sudden, not even a tap. Then I would look and see the rattle had busted off, would put on another, then I would just start catching fish. So I just always go with rattles. I have gone over to Terminator Pro Top Secret jigs, they have the band with two rattle chambers so you never have an issue putting on trailers or have a rattle chamber sliding down.

[Copen1822]

I think you will limit yourself if you only use jigs without a rattle or vice versa. I generally take rattles off of my jigs if they come with them, but keep the rattles in my tackle box for use when fishing muddy water or when fish seem to be in the mood to actively chase prey.

[senile1]

I would use both.  Rattles are obviously useful when the water is muddy so you should have them in your arsenal.  However, if I'm fishing clear water and the fish want a jig with a rattle, then I'm going to use it there as well.  

[Siebert Outdoors]

I very rarely use rattles anymore, but like Senile1 said.  Dont leave them out.  At times they are benificial.  Some of those for me are night and muddy water.

[ww2farmer]

In clear water and lite cover I do not use a rattle, and actually think a rattle in those conditions will turn fish away. I do use a rattle when I am fishing heavy weeds, reguardless of water clarity, I think it helps the fish locate the bait easier in the thick stuff, and it's also pretty dark under and in those weeds so visability may be lowerd. Same for Stained water, I use a rattle. I even add rattles to soft plastics in those situations as well. When I do use a rattle though, I like a subtle one. For instance if the jig I am using has two rattles on it, I always take one off, there fore I only buy jigs with removeable rattles. When I add a rattle to a tube, I like the ones with only one ball in them, and when I add one to any other plastics I use the smallest I can find.

[bigfruits]

i also use rattles in heavily stained or muddy water. if i start without a rattle and im not getting action ill use one and vice versa. i do not notice as much of a difference in rattle vs no rattle as i do in changing jig size and trailer type/size when measuring number of strikes.

if your favorite jig isn't made with a rattle what do you do?

you can buy rattles to add to your jigs.

[The Next KVD]

Rattles are a must in my mind.  I have no confidence in throwing jigs w/out rattles, due to personal experience.  If I was you I would tie on two identical jigs, one w/ a rattle and the other w/ none, on simular rod setups and fish one for an hour or so then switch to see what seems to work for you.  

[-nick-]

I like to use rattles! Even tho I have caught them w/o rattles I have more confidence in ones with rattles!

[Catt]

I've caught bass in clear water with rattles and in muddy water without rattles so I've have concluded only the bass know for sure