Jigs: Rattle Vs No Rattle?

[CNU Bass]

I have been hooked on jig fishing for quite a while now, whether it is flipping docks, cover, or just swimming a jig through the grass. I have noticed that through out this year's pre-spawn, I caught the majority of my jig fish on a jig with rattles. I'm a big believer of fishing in the moment and letting the fish tell you what they want to bite, but could some one provide an explanation or condition when or when not to use a rattle?

[smalljaw67]

I've fished jigs with and without rattles and while I'm not sure of any real difference the rattle makes, I still like them for dirty water conditions. Like I said, I'm not sure if they do help but I do have more confidence using a rattle in dirty water and that makes a difference so I will use them for that purpose. I know guys that use them all the time and others that don't use them at all and it comes down to being confident in what you are doing, if you feel you get more bites using it then keep on using them, it may or may not make a difference to the fish but it will make a difference to you and how you fish.

[ww2farmer]

I fish jigs without a rattle most of the time, mainly because the jigs I buy don't come with one (SK Hack Attacks, Bitsy flips, tour grade football etc....), I catch plenty of jig fish. Sometimes I add one. I think if there is a jig bite on, they will bite one with, or without a rattle. Due to water conditions maybe one without a rattle will get a few more bites, maybe one with a rattle will get more, I tend to like to think that in clear water, calm conditions a silent is the way to go, and in dirty water, and/or windy, or low light conditions a rattle will help.

[Crankenstein Crony]

I'm with ww2farmer. Most of the jigs I throw don't have rattles on them. The few jigs I've bought that did come with rattles on them do produce, and they produce well. When I fish dirty water, I prefer to have a rattle. In clear water, I definitely prefer no rattle. But either way, both jigs with rattles and jigs with out rattles produce quality fish.

[CNU Bass]

I really appreciate the insight. I think that you all have a good point with a rattle in dirty water and a more subtle approach in clear.

[Catt]

90-95% of the time is without

[J_Pearson]

I've got two styles jigs that between them account for better than 80% of my jig fish. One has a rattle, one does not. I can't say one with a rattle works better than another, I guess it's one of those deals that you have to change up from one to another while on the water and figure some things out.

I will say, personally, when I'm flipping pads, and it's cloudy, I will always be tossing the rattle first.

JP

[nvhsaccel]

I like to use a rattle but sometimes your trailer won't stay on as long or tight with one attached. It also calls fish from a longer distance, but usually with a jig that isn't an issue.

[backwater4]

No rattle, but what you could do is insert a glass or metal rattle into your tralier if you need one. This way you have the best of both worlds.

[Siebert Outdoors]

90-95% of the time is without

Same here.