Need user reviews of these 2 baits

[airborne_angler]

Anyone ever used either of these 2 baits and what were your thoughts/results? Do they get a thumbs up or a thumbs down?

First bait is a Manns Phat Rat:

http://www.sovereignsuperbaits.co.uk/Lures/Weedless/Hollow_Baits/phat_rat.jpg

The other bait is a Fred Arbogast Hocus Locust

http://www.arbogastlures.com/AR_Images/HocusLocust_blk.jpg

[SuperNewbie]

personally i like hocus locust almost as much as the jitterbug

i never used it but the phat rat looks like trash but the again thats what i said about scum frogs but shows how much i know

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I didnt like the Rat.

Treble hook is too small, bait sits too high in the water (yet still gets hung more  :-?)

I tried them for a couple outings, but switched back to my Bronzeye Frog soon after.

[Vinny Chase]

i LOVE the rat as far as getting the hits....i have never gotten more/bigger hits on a topwater bait

but they are a little tricky to hook just because of where the hooks are located

[Muddy]

I have never tried the Rat, so I can't say

The Locust is not nearly as good or effective as the Jitterbug.

[DRhodes]

I have 2 Locust in my tackle box I picked up on clearence from Wal-Mart for $2.00.

Here in southeastern Ohio we have alot of Locust on the River at a certain time during the season.

I fished with mine last year after the Locust season kinda died out, and did fantastic.

Hope they work for you.

[airborne_angler]

Tried the Rat today. It was very hot out and water on the surface was about 78 degrees.I got 2 little slaps at the bait,and THEN...

I hit this spot where it looked gnarly(very Bassy) Threw into the thick of it and here comes this HUGE Bullfrog. Pounces all over it and starts to run. I didnt want to hook the fella so I just reeled in normally. Got him to the boat and couldnt see my Rat...He had the whole thing in his mouth. GREAT I thought,how am I gonna unhook this guy? Just as I thought that,he/she opened its mouth and rleased my bait,and swam away.

It started to rain,so I headed for the boat ramp. After it cleared I headed back to that same spot,wanting to pickup where I was interrupted by Mr. Frog.

No sooner did my Rat hit the water,that darn frog was on it AGAIN!! Came launching out from the same spot. Same ol song and dance,reeled him in,he had the bait all the way in his mouth again,he opened up,let go and swam away.

Well I can say...The Frogs like this bait!!

[Blue Streak]

Lesson: frogs are dumb

[DRhodes]

lol, at least you cought something.

good luck on your next outing

[jeosbo01]

I fish the hocus locust sometimes around here and have had some luck with it, I would say no more or less than with the jitterbug though. I do only use it in the late summer after the locust have started to die back...not sure if it would work as well any other time.