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Message Subject: Rattles for Rubber Mods

bloatlord

Posted 11/16/2025 7:28 PM (#1035370)
Subject: Rattles for Rubber Mods

Posts: 162

Hey everyone — been tinkering with modifying rubbers with a rattle as I saw in this 54 or bust video: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eLkm9O9oEA), but I’m not totally sure what kind of rattle material would be best, given how rubbers can muffle sound.

Here are a few things I’m wrestling with — would love your take/experiences:

1. Material choice

* Glass rattle: has that weird timbre/vibration and can be really loud
* Tungsten rattles / beads: denser, more compact, and supposedly transmit vibration very well.
* Other materials (steel, brass, etc.): — are they worth considering here?

2. Noise versus damping

* Given that the rubbers are pretty substantial, would a glass rattle be so muffled that the effect is negligible? Or would a tungsten (because of its density) better “push” sound/vibration through the rubber?

3. Durability

* Could glass rattles crack if the fish bites in the area where the rattle sits?

4. Insertion technique
I saw tools (like the Z-Man Rattle-Snaker) specifically made to insert rattles into soft plastics. Assuming I use something like that, are there any cautions when working with heavier or denser rattles?

So, question to the forum:

* Which rattle material (glass, tungsten, other) would you recommend for a rubber to maximize sound/vibration despite the potential muffling effect?
* Any particular brands/sizes/techniques you swear by for this kind of modification?

Thanks in advance — looking forward to hearing your wisdom.

[

jdsplasher

Posted 11/17/2025 6:21 AM (#1035372 - in reply to #1035370)
Subject: RE: Rattles for Rubber Mods

Posts: 2318

Location: SE, WI.

Bass fisherman for years seem to lean towards Brass, or Glass for the loudest Sounds. I’ve found sone very nice glass rattles over the years. 5 mil. Tubed or flanged, Seemed to B loudest if you can find.

There are also some guys building a decent brass rattles. Both are great for shoving up in plastics. I use both when rigging my custom Creatures.

There’s always a concern when using glass as far as cracking. It was mostly rocks, but a rare fish may crush 1. I usually use a drop of superglue in hole once rattle is inserted to keep Put!

Many different brands to research…

Edited by jdsplasher 11/17/2025 6:23 AM

Ogandrews

Posted 11/17/2025 9:18 PM (#1035380 - in reply to #1035370)
Subject: Re: Rattles for Rubber Mods

Posts: 243

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

I did this on a handful of bulldawgs and toothy tuffs last winter with both brass and glass rattles. At least out of the water I found the glass rattles to be louder. What I did was put 3 in each bait. Just poked a hole in the front of the face of the bait with a hook and then put some super glue on it and shoved them in with a bit still sticking out exposed. Definitely makes some noise on the pull and drop with the head moving up and down. Caught some fish on the pounders I put them in but who knows how much of a difference it made

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