Rat-L-Trap

A proven lipless crankbait for covering water, finding active bass and fishing around grass and structure.

EXPLORE RAT-L-TRAP TECHNIQUES ▸
TESTED ON THE WATER — RAT-L-TRAP

Popular Colors

Shad patterns, chrome-and-blue and red crawfish finishes for different conditions.

Silver and blue Rat-L-Trap lipless crankbait with treble hooksVIEW POPULAR COLORS ▸

Fishing Techniques

Steady retrieves, stop-and-go presentations and yo-yo retrieves around grass edges and drop-offs.

VIEW TECHNIQUES ▸

Popular Colors

Chrome-and-blue for shad-like flash, red crawfish for spring, and natural patterns in clear water.

VIEW COLORS ▸

Real Fishing Results

Rat-L-Trap lures help cover water efficiently when searching for active bass.

FISHING ARCHIVE ▸
UNPUBLISHED RAT-L-TRAP DETAIL REVIEW — Original page and live website unchanged

Explore Rat-L-Trap — Product Overview & Features

The original Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap is a sinking, lipless crankbait designed to cover freshwater bass water quickly. Its vibrating body and internal rattles help anglers locate active largemouth and smallmouth bass. Unlike a billed crankbait, its running depth depends strongly on retrieve speed, line angle, and how long it sinks before the retrieve.

Verified original model

  • Typical full-size model: ½ oz; approximately 3 inches long.
  • Action: tight vibration with internal rattling sound.
  • Buoyancy: sinking — count it down before starting.
  • Hardware: two treble hooks; inspect points, split rings, and hook alignment before fishing.
  • Finish: multiple shad, chrome, and crawfish color patterns; availability depends on model.

Best situations

  • Wind-blown points and flats with roaming baitfish.
  • Submerged grass edges and sparse vegetation.
  • Shallow-to-deep transitions and broad offshore feeding areas.
  • Fall baitfish schools and spring crawfish-oriented feeding.

Model accuracy: These measurements describe the widely sold original ½-ounce model, not every Rat-L-Trap size or variant. Published specifications and hook sizes can vary by SKU.

Choose Rat-L-Trap Colors for Freshwater Bass

Shad, chrome & blue

Use silver, chrome-blue, or translucent baitfish patterns when bass are feeding on shad or other silvery forage. In clear water, natural finishes can be a good starting point. On bright days, chrome can add visible flash.

Red crawfish & stronger contrast

Try red crawfish patterns around rocky areas or during spring presentations. In stained water or low light, use a finish that gives bass a clear silhouette; adjust based on actual bites rather than assuming one color always wins.

Five-step color selection checklist
  1. Identify the main forage: shad, perch, bluegill, or crawfish.
  2. Check water clarity and available light.
  3. Start with one baitfish finish and one contrasting finish.
  4. Run the same retrieve through comparable water to evaluate strikes fairly.
  5. Record the color, depth, light, and retrieve that produced bites.

Five Detailed Rat-L-Trap Fishing Techniques

1. Steady retrieve — find active bass
  1. Cast beyond a point, flat, or baitfish school so the lure passes through likely fish-holding water.
  2. Let the lure sink briefly if necessary; avoid allowing it to bury in bottom debris.
  3. Reel fast enough to feel the bait vibrating steadily through the rod.
  4. Vary speed between casts until bass respond, keeping the same general track for comparison.
  5. When you get a bite, repeat the depth, speed, and direction of that retrieve.
2. Rip-and-pause above submerged grass
  1. Find the top of the grass with your fish finder or a few exploratory casts.
  2. Start reeling so the lure tracks just above the vegetation.
  3. When you feel grass contact, snap the rod firmly enough to free the lure.
  4. Pause briefly, then resume the vibrating retrieve; strikes can occur as the bait breaks free.
  5. Clear vegetation and inspect both treble hooks between casts.
3. Yo-yo retrieve over drop-offs
  1. Cast across a point, contour break, or hard-bottom transition.
  2. Count the lure down to an estimated depth, keeping control of slack line.
  3. Lift the rod smoothly to make the bait vibrate upward.
  4. Lower the rod while maintaining contact so you can detect a bite on the fall.
  5. Repeat with shorter or longer lifts and note which depth band produces strikes.
4. Wind-driven banks and points
  1. Choose an area where wind has concentrated baitfish or plankton activity.
  2. Position the boat for safe, controlled casts along the productive edge.
  3. Cast upwind or across the wind where practical and maintain line contact.
  4. Vary retrieve speed and pause timing when the lure reaches key cover.
  5. Return through the most productive stretch before moving to the next area.
5. Landing and release with two treble hooks
  1. Keep steady pressure and avoid violently swinging a hooked bass toward the boat.
  2. Have a landing net and long curved-tip forceps ready before lifting the fish.
  3. Control the fish carefully; two exposed treble hooks can catch hands or netting.
  4. Use flattened barbs where you can do so safely and legally, consistent with theBASSguys practice.
  5. Remove hooks promptly, minimize air exposure, and release the bass in good condition.

Practical tackle guidance: A medium or medium-heavy casting rod with a forgiving tip, an appropriate reel, and abrasion-resistant line are common choices. Set drag to protect against surges and avoid forcing treble hooks out during the fight.

Product Specification References

Published original ½-oz model descriptions: Cabela's — Bill Lewis Original Rat-L-Trap and SCHEELS — Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap. Fishing techniques above are general instructional recommendations, not manufacturer specifications or claims about theBASSguys' individual catch results.

Back to product overview · Detailed techniques

Yamamoto Worms page design preview · Links will be verified before publishing · Live website unchanged