i was watching some pros fishing on tv

[tony93]

I've caught so many fish on Rat-L-Traps I can't even count... I know that's a specific brand name, but that's what I call em.

Just tie em on and wear the paint off...

(that means just keep throwing em - they WILL catch fish)

Over weed beds is great, as is near chunk rock, or rip-rap, as we call it in the southern reservoirs. I've caught slab sand bass in open water on em too. Just look for seagulls diving or windy banks. (they look like a miniature striper - it's the state fish of Oklahoma, my home state)

Most fisherman avoid the wind - that is a MISTAKE. The wind roils up the water, stirring up nutrients, dislodging crawfish from rocks, etc. Predator fish will feed in areas like this, even if it is more difficult for YOU to fish in... the waves also break up sunlight penetration, which gets the fish moving abit more freely, kinda like at daybreak & dusk. I've caught walleyes in the middle of the day in 3 foot of water, just because it was windy.

Rattle baits WORK - KVD won the 2010 BassMaster Classic on em in 48 degree water. That being said, I don't think I'd use em in quiet little areas like small ponds, etc. Subtle stuff is more the thing in that situation.

***Bill Lewis Lures has a special line of Rat-L-Traps designed specifically for Northern waters - with more soft, natural colors and a lower frequency rattle, for the clearer waters up here. I can't post links yet as I'm a forum n00b here, but just google "Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap Northwood Series".