To Rattle, Or Not To Rattle?

[QUOTE=elnutsmalljaws;390785]Just me but I think a rattle on a jig is supposed to sort of imitate the pinchers of a crawfish clicking. Dragging a jig with a rattle will make the rattle tick, tick, tick at different intervals depending on what you are dragging it thru, bumping against and gives the fish something else to hone (sp) in on when they are trying to find the bait. Just adds another sense that the fish can use to find it. Just me but I think tick.... tick................................ tick - tick.....................tick...................................tick and then the fish finds it and sees the trailer with the tails standing up sort if a crayfish in a defensive position with his back on the bottom and pinchers in the air just makes too much sense for me, but I know the fish are way smarter than me.[/QUOTE]

Kinda what I thought Elnut. I can imagine what the jig sounds like when I'm dragging it across a rocky point and it bumps every rock and drops from rock transition to another (drops, ledges, etc.). I'm like you -- makes TOO MUCH sense......just wanted a little input and I appreciate the feedback.

You can find it on youtube, Doug Hannon does these bassprofessor videos and one of them is on this topic. Cant remember his exact logic, but he argued that a rattle excells even more in clear water than in stained water. Just thought it was an interesting perspective when I heard it.

I rarely use them just because the jigs I like dont already have them.

I went to a seminar Gerald Swindell was putting on one time. His seminar was on jigs. Someone asked this questions. His answer was "how many crawfish do you see standing up clapping, saying look here I am a crawfish come eat me" He said he very rarely uses a rattle. Only in extremely muddy water.
Personally I love to fish a Jig. If it was the only lure I could fish, that is what it would be. I am a terrible muddy water fisherman anyhow, but that is the only time I use a rattle. I dont fish much at night anymore, but if I did, I would probably use one at night as well.

I fish with a Urologist, and he says it's always better to rattle.

Some interesting points (not refering to H Bob's post :eek: ). Appreciate it!

Andrew

I'm going to fish a rattle jig about 90% of the time. I will let the fish dictate how they want it. IMO, I think jig color, size and rate of fall is more important that the rattle... How many times have you been fishing and your partner catches a couple on the jig. I don't know about you, but one of the first questions out of my mouth is, "using a rattle?"

Yep me too. I think a rattle helps my confidence. I have also saw times when I never got a hit until I put a rattle on & started catching fish. To me their just like American Express. Never leave home(or a tackle shop) without it. :D