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One of the interesting ways to catch pike is to catch it on rattlins. The opinions of fishermen about this type of bait differ, however, knowledge of the features of catching pike using rattlins will allow you to successfully fish under various conditions of the reservoir all year round.
What is rattlin?
Rattlin is a flat wobbler that does not have a blade. In the inner cavity of the bait there are metal balls that, when moving, make a sound resembling a baby rattle to attract prey from long distances.
Initially, rattlins were made of wood, but nowadays they are made of plastic, like all other wobblers. A feature is also the placement of the eyelet for attaching to the fishing line – it is not on the head, but in the front of the back.
Most rattlin models are equipped with two tees – this increases the chances of hooking. However, the use of tees increases the likelihood of snags or other water obstacles, so they are replaced with doubles or singles. It should be borne in mind that changing hooks can have a negative impact on the game of the lure. The game of rattlin is frequent with a small amplitude of oscillations.
How to catch pike with rattlins
Rattlins are often called universal lures. But fishermen agree that they are not so unambiguous: you need to get used to them, otherwise disappointment cannot be avoided. The selection of bait is carried out based on the depth of fishing and its weight.
Technique and tactics of fishing on rattlin
Even for beginner fishermen, catching pike on ratlins does not cause much difficulty. The main wiring looks like this:
- perform a quick but smooth swing with the rod, placing the bait directly above the bottom, and then lower it to its initial position;
- pause and repeat the jerk.
Until a bite occurs, various points should be caught. The noise made by the bait and active play can attract pike even from a long distance, so do not rush to leave a place without fish at first glance.
The movement of the rattlin should not be too abrupt. For pike, a more measured, sweeping and imposing work of the bait is preferable. To achieve good results, it is necessary to know how the different styles of lure handling are performed and to understand how it behaves under water. Often pike bite occurs when changing the type of wiring.
With the use of rattlins, a large selection of wiring is available – these include all types known for wobblers. For pike are effective:
- continuous wiring, as well as against strong currents. To perform it, you should: throw the bait into the water, wind the fishing line with a reel, then carry out the wiring, evenly rotating the reel handle at a certain speed. If you rotate quickly, the rattlin floats to the surface, if you rotate slowly, it explores the deep layers near the bottom. The method is relevant for reconnaissance of pike locations;
- step-by-step wiring with stops, until the bait falls to the bottom. It is carried out as follows: casting, winding up the slack of the fishing line, after which 3–5 turns of the reel, pause, repeat turns;
- “Striking” on the bottom of the wiring. Rattlin passes through a depth approximately equal to its working value, during the posting it falls with its nose into the ground, then bounces over it, creating a cloud of turbidity;
- effective wiring from the shallows to the depth, especially when fishing at a pronounced slope in depth.
Pike Rattlins: Top 10
This rating contains universal, well-proven rattlins that are suitable even for a beginner. Lures are working, time-tested. So, the top rattlins for pike:
Daiwa T.D. Salt Vibration
It has an elongated body that moves naturally in the water. The bait is heavy and sinks quickly. There are three color options available. In winter, it is better to use a silver rattlin, and in summer the color does not play a significant role, all three types will do. Length – 90 mm, the product weighs 28 g.
Megabite (Liberty) Gamauji Jr
Used for hunting medium and large pike. Heavy, able to confidently pass along deep brows (5–7 m). Length – 85 mm, weight – 36 g.
Lucky Craft Varid 90
Ideal for uniform, jerky and stepped wiring. Working depth – from 50 cm to 1 m. Elongated rattlin with a balanced load. Length – 90 mm, weight – 21 g. Lucky Craft Varid 90 has excellent flight properties.
Yo-Zuri Hardcore Drum
Allows you to catch cautious pike at a depth of 1-2 meters. Slowly sinking, during wiring makes loud noises. Length – 70 mm, weight – 18 g.
Rap by Rapala Clack
Thanks to its versatility and high catchability, this rattlin is one of the best. It consistently allows you to catch pike from 0,5 to 5 kg in spring, summer and autumn. Length 79 mm, weight 25 g.
Shimano Excence Salvage 85ES
Designed for use in deep water in both summer and winter. The bait sinks quickly, painted in natural colors. It has a length of 85 mm, weight – 21 g.
Megabass Vibration X
A series of Japanese lures is excellent for catching predatory fish, including pike.
Aiko Mel Vibration
This is a deep-sea rattlin, fast sinking. Large pikes are used for bait, living in pits up to eight meters. It has a length of 90 mm, the product weighs 44 g.
Jackal TN
Allows you to successfully hunt a toothy predator in various conditions. Most often, Jackall TN is used on large and medium-sized rivers, channel sections of reservoirs and deep lakes. They produce models in sizes 50, 60, 65 and 70 mm. There are two variations – “noisy” and without metal balls inside.
Koppers Threadfin Shad Rattlebait
A large rattlin, with which it is worthwhile to purposefully hunt for a weighty and trophy pike. Usually such specimens are deep, and considerable effort is required to lure them out. The bait is effective in large rivers and lakes. Available in two sizes – 90 and 100 mm, the weight of the lure is 37 and 53 g, respectively. For a predator, it is clearly visible and audible.
Additionally, it is worth noting the rattlins from Strike Pro (Strike Pro) and Caiman, which also perform well on pike.
Features of seasonal fishing
Most rattlins are designed for throwing with spinning in the summer. When fishing in a plumb line, they move in a vertical plane without making pronounced movements to the sides, so it is more difficult to provoke a predator to bite with them. Such a game can scare away a pike. Therefore, for winter pike hunting, it is worth choosing rattlins that are declared by the manufacturer for ice fishing.
Rattlin fishing in summer
In the summer, the pike does not stray into groups, but is distributed in different parts of the reservoir. With a rattlin, you can cast long distances with precision, and you can explore large stretches of water from the same spot.
The best option for summer fishing from the shore and from a boat are lures with a length of 70 mm, whose minimum weight is 15 g. They will allow you to explore all layers of depth. They start fishing for a new place from the bottom layer near the bottom, then raise the bait higher, increasing or decreasing the speed of winding the line on the reel. For these purposes, there is a counting system – that is, having determined the account for lowering the bait to the bottom, the next wiring is carried out earlier by 3-5 accounts.
Video: Catching pike on ratlins in summer
Pike fishing with rattlins in winter
Winter hunting for pike from the ice is carried out by silent rattlins. The game of bait should be calm and represent a smooth ascent and the same unhurried descent.
In this case, the preferred size is up to 70 mm. In winter, rattlins for pike with a natural color – silvery – show themselves better. This is true if the water in the reservoir is clear. With muddy water or great depth, it is worth using more noticeable colors.
The classic winter wiring looks like this: first, the bait is lowered into the bottom layer or to another required depth, then the rod is smoothly raised to a height of about 15–25 cm and gently lowered, achieving a balanced play of the rattlin (this works with rattlins that are able to deviate to the side from hole axis).
Video: Catching pike in winter on ratlins
Winter fishing for pike on rattlin, plus underwater shooting in the video below:
What is better for pike balancer or rattlin
Rattlins have advantages due to which they compete on equal terms with balancers and other lures for winter fishing:
- They show stability in the game with different types of wiring.
- They attract pike from a distance.
- They have a wide range of colors and patterns.
Winter rattlin fishing can be suitable even for a novice angler, as the bait always attracts a predator, winding up on tosses and swaying on falls.
Thus, rattlin is a worthy bait that allows you to achieve good results in pike hunting both in open water and from ice. Fishing with rattlin requires a certain amount of cunning and skill, but these requirements are usually offset by large catches.