What are the Best Ice Fishing Rattlebaits?

 

Are you looking for another way to ice more fish? Of course you are, who wouldnt want another potent ice fishing weapon in their arsenal! Rattle baits are great for open water fishing, they work even better for ice fishing. Under a thick layer of ice visibility for the fish is reduced so the added bonus of a Sonic bait will help you land more fish. 

Huge Walleye Through the Ice with Rattlebaits!

Before I get too far into this article you have to check out this YouTube video. These guys are landing some absolute hog walleye on Lake Winnipeg with Rattle baits. 

Sound Attracts More Fish 

If you’ve been ice fishing in a while I’m sure you’ve heard the term pounding ground. This technique is usually used with a jig setup. the technique is twofold one it makes it look like a bait fish trying to forage in the lake bottom for food. But it also sends off sound which helps attract fish from Far around. I’ve used this multiple times to bring in decent size pipe. 

Lipless rattle bait are designed to sink. they don’t have the lip on the front to pull a bait back underwater. Hands that are weighted. these rattle baits have a number of BBs inside them. This produces a rattling sound underneath the water and as you know sound travels quite well underwater. This rattling effect is what attracts fish to come and investigate your bait. There for On slow bite days rattle baits are extremely useful to bring fish into your area. 

 

A selection of Rattlebaits

Below are a few different options of quality rattle baits. Most are available in a few sizes and colors. I like to keep at least a few color options on me whenever fish are being finicky. All of these models incorporate BBs inside a rattle chamber to rattle.

Rattlin Rapala

 

The original Rattlin Rapala this lure is used by tons of anglers to much success. It has a special spot in my tackle box as the lure I caught my first brown trout spin casting with.

• Available in a multitude of colors (silver, blue, perch stripped and more)
• Has very good reviews
• long product history (almost 10 years now)

This is a mid priced lure price check on amazon.

Strike King Red Eye Shad Bait

• • 8 foot dive depth
  • 2 sets of #6 treble hooks
  • 3 1/4 inch
  • A LOT of very good reviews
  • more expensive price point

This is kind of the Rolls Royce of crankbaits. See it on Amazon.

Magreel Crankbaits Fishing Lures Set

• 5 pack offers variety
• also has good reviews
• low price point very economical

 

I added these as a value option. The 5 pack is very well priced and there are enough reviews you can feel confident they are a good choice if you want a variety of rattlebait for a good price.

you can check out the reviews and price here.

When the Going Gets Tough…the Tough Change Sizes and Colors!

 

When the bite isn’t on and there are fish in the area, you need to change it up. Perhaps you decided on a perch colored bait but there are no takers. Try something on the opposite side of the spectrum a blue rap and a smaller size? Mix it up if you have no bites.

 

Bringing the Fish in With Rattlebaits

If you have absolutely no action on your flasher or sonar you need to attract some attention. Using much larger jigging motions to attract fish to the area is key. Then once you see fish entering the cone of your flasher or sonar tone it down to illicit a strike from the fish.

 

Enticing a Bite, Make a Rattlebait Even Better!

 

Rattle baits are great but what makes this lure presentation even better is scent. Adding a piece of minnow or smelt to the belly hook will make your lure irresistible.

Line and Swivel for Best Results

Suffix 832 braided ice fishing line in the 8-10 lb test range should be good for most walleye and pike. I am a big fan of using steel leaders. For walleye you can probably get away with a heavier monofilament leader. These save a lot of grief when fishing for large toothy predators. Another thing you will want to include in your rattlebait set up is a swivel to remove line twist. 

Thanks for reading if you are new to ice fishing and want more information be sure to check out my article on beginners ice fishing.