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Posts: 2024
| How does one make a rattletrap suitable for muskie fishing? I just bought a 1 oz. chrome/blue back and a 3/4 oz. firetiger, along with some Eagle Claw 2/0 Lazer Sharps. I was thinking of replacing the already existing hooks with what appear to be the more durable Eagle Claws (the traps were Bill Lewis by the way). Would this be a smart move? I don't have small heavy duty split rings, but is that necessary? Should I just change the line-tie split ring to a muskie sized one? Also, are you throwing leaders with yours? If so, what size? I have 12" 40 lb. test, is this sufficient enough? Thanks! |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | Here is how I modified one of mine..
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 Fishing 041.jpg (148KB - 138 downloads)
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Posts: 373
Location: Huber Heights, Ohio | I use the small Bucher split rings and Eagle Claw L777BP 4x hooks in size #2 for 3/4 oz and #1 for 1 oz. The hooks I get from Cabela's, and they are black in color. 2/0 hooks are too big for that size bait.
Edited by David_4 4/4/2004 10:21 PM
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I would just by the Rattlin Shad made my Producer Tackle.
Triple split rings, VMC hooks, it is already musky ready right out of the box. They don' t leak like the rattle traps do as well.
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Location: Athens, Ohio | I got a 33" fish on a half oz. Bill Lewis with no modifications, but then I had the expert assistance of Mauser on the net job. Lobi, that trap looks good enough to EAT. Papa Joe came down to the Cave with some traps made for pike, and they looked good, too but I can't recall the name brand. m |
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Posts: 285
| Hi Guys,
Those were Windell's Pike Snacks, a great little bait, but I would immediately chage out the elongated line-ties with normal round split rings. Maybe some people like the oval rings, but I found them annoying, pedantic and overbearing.
Later,
papa |
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| Pedantic???? I had to look that one up in the dictionary. I would argue that the use of the word "Pedantic" on a musky board is pedantic. 
Huey
ps How big is the Windell pike snack? I have a Windell rattle bait that probably weighs 1 oz. or more and has a bucktail dressed rear treble. I got it a few years ago and just wondering if it is a pike snack. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | I'm glad I didn't piss off Papa Joe during our outing or he would have cussed me out in ways I couldn't understand. I think the Pike Snacks are about the same size and weight of the Producers. m |
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Posts: 2378
| Huey -
I do believe what you have is a Pike Snack |
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| Thanks for the info guys. I'll have to dig it out of the extra baits drawer for the opener.
Shine sun, shine (and melt that ice).
Huey |
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| I wish the guys from the cave would give us their opinion on this subject. They seem to use these lures alot. I'm suprised they haven't added anthing because when it comes to fishing reports they really like to talk,. |
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Posts: 373
Location: Huber Heights, Ohio | Tony Grant uses the Rattlin Shad and the last I heard Crash uses Rattle Traps with Gamakatsu hooks. I also have had good luck with the 3/4 oz Rattlin Rapala modified as in my first post. They only cost 1.99 when they are on sale and are nearly unbreakable, not like some others I have used that cost quite a bit more.
Edited by David_4 4/5/2004 6:51 PM
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Posts: 33
Location: Louisville, KY. | I live in KY and fish the Cave a lot. Mike Hulbert is right. Producer Tackle's Rattlin Shad is made for muskie, everything is heavy duty. Tony Grant sells them off his website. Crash modifies the Bill Lewis rattle traps by tying a flexible short wire leader directly to the trap. He doesn't recommend the 1 oz or bigger. I can't remember which one, but he uses 1/2 oz or 3/4 oz. Crash sells these in his shop also. He probably upgrades the hooks and split rings. There have already been many muskies caught on traps this spring at the Cave. Weekend before last a 53 incher was caught on Saturday and Sunday, and it was believed to be the same fish. I think both fishermen were using rattle traps. Ranger is making some 6 inch sold wire leaders for me to use with rattle traps.
Do you guys further north have luck with rattle traps as well? I would think if they work on muskies at the Cave that they should work on muskies elsewhere. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | Tony Grant has an excellent article on the topic in the March issue of Muskies Magazine. Also, check out his articles here on Muskie First. Remember, burn them babies to the boat! m |
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