NoahFertick Posted July 26, 2023 Report Share Posted July 26, 2023 I've been a huge wakebait and crankdown fan for long time, and that's more recently pushed me towards exploring the rat game. I've been tossing them around for a bit now, but definitely don't have as much experience with them as I do regular wakes and cranks. Unfortunately I'm stuck at home for a bit with covid, but that does give me time that I haven't had to get back in the garage and build some rats to the style I like. Working on them has me thinking, what is everyone's thoughts on what makes a good rat? There's a lot of people here with much more rat experience here than me, and who fish water in areas outside of my home in the PNW. I have my preferences, but as a builder I'd love to hear what other people's experiences are! I lean pretty heavily on waking single joint rats, and tend to get the bigger bites on ones that will swim at REALLY slow speeds. Having a rat that floats very low seems to be pretty key for me as well, and I'll often add some lead tape to the belly to make sure I get that super super low float on them. Looking forward to hearing everyone's input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewillsd Posted July 26, 2023 Report Share Posted July 26, 2023 What I look for in a good rat is definitely stability (doesn't wash to one side when I crank down), I prefer the bait to have a slight wobble when slow reeling, and a good squeak or clack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbass Posted July 27, 2023 Report Share Posted July 27, 2023 When a fish toilet flashes it Whammy, ewillsd and chevro1et 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SumoNinja Posted July 27, 2023 Report Share Posted July 27, 2023 Stability, not too much roll, can walk easily. Not all good swimming rats can be walked. I don't have huge confidence in knocks that are super loud. Just my experience. I also prefer 2 pc rats but I'd still fish both I prefer wake n cranks also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony91723 Posted July 27, 2023 Report Share Posted July 27, 2023 One that you can gain confidence in. My first rat was a woodrow and second was a sacpig rat. Both have caught me fish and has allowed me to be very confident in them. CG_Fishes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewillsd Posted July 28, 2023 Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 On 7/26/2023 at 5:46 PM, SumoNinja said: Stability, not too much roll, can walk easily. Not all good swimming rats can be walked. I don't have huge confidence in knocks that are super loud. Just my experience. I also prefer 2 pc rats but I'd still fish both I prefer wake n cranks also. I second the 2 pc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacPig916 Posted July 28, 2023 Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 I def make some awesome rats that suit all your requirements. SumoNinja 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmv_bassfishing Posted July 28, 2023 Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 Any wake in my opinion is about sound/noise above all Bass the east and Harshwaters 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacPig916 Posted July 28, 2023 Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 2 minutes ago, lmv_bassfishing said: Any wake in my opinion is about sound/noise above all I think people would be presently surprised using a 1pc bait, not just mine. The sound of it cutting through the water replaces the hardware/body noise and I have found it extremely effective at landing fish in highly pressured bodies of water. lmv_bassfishing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmv_bassfishing Posted July 28, 2023 Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 9 minutes ago, SacPig916 said: I think people would be presently surprised using a 1pc bait, not just mine. The sound of it cutting through the water replaces the hardware/body noise and I have found it extremely effective at landing fish in highly pressured bodies of water. I agree, definitely doesn’t need to be jointed to have a killer sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevro1et Posted July 28, 2023 Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 On 7/27/2023 at 9:28 AM, bassbass said: When a fish toilet flashes it Seems like every bite I get on my Woodrow is a total flush. bassbass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harshwaters Posted July 28, 2023 Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 Loud knock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass the east Posted July 28, 2023 Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 I like that wishy washy sound that some rats make like the PB rat and bull rat. Those have been my most productive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harshwaters Posted July 28, 2023 Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 1 hour ago, Bass the east said: I like that wishy washy sound that some rats make like the PB rat and bull rat. Those have been my most productive. You might like the two pc. Morning Wood rat . Bass the east 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iFishLA Posted July 28, 2023 Report Share Posted July 28, 2023 A Rico Charge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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