Rattle Flies...do They Work

[esox niger]

I've been pondering the rattle fly the past couple of weeks and even years. I've tied up several types including the glass rattle, and the double bead rattle, but I dont think i've ever taken a fish on one, and i was never confident the rattle was working the way one would expect. (I haven't fished them much because i never really liked them)

It seems to me the fly would need some exceptional action for the rattles to actualy work the way we all think they do, but do they?

Any one have any feedback on rattle flies...do they work, do fish like them better, what conditions do you recomend them for, that sort of thing.

I'm thinking down two paths to an "improved rattle"...I will come back with some images in the next day or so, but one is a clapper style the other is mono "spring loaded" will I be able to incorporate them the way i want, will they work? we will see.

well here they are...probably not "improved". #2 the balls really dance about 8 inches down in a stream of water, not sure stripping a fly will actually make the balls slap. ( hahahaha Bevis Im gunna smack you!) I can see all the names that could come outa this one....

[fishinwrench]

You are crackin' me up!

We used to make some killer jig rattles with christmas tree light bulbs/ steel shot/ and JB Weld, they were louder than anything sold commercially for that purpose.....but I truly can't say whether or not it was a beneficial tweek. Must not have been, because I haven't been compelled to add a rattle to a jig or worm for a long time.

My partner and I used to stuff those things in both claws of a Guido Bug jig trailer and that made for one noisy a$$ jig.

[esox niger]

Thats hardcore bro...

I'm with you...rattles leave me cold. As i was pondering this though, i picked up some cut bead chain and was shaking it....little rattle going on...with all this stuff you'd pretty much need a swimming pool and hydrophone to figure out what sort of sound is coming off them...and fish are so so sensative anyway...I frown on rattles!...but I may contnue to experiment, why not.

[Gavin]

You have some creative ideas there. I've played around with rattles a bit, but I have no idea if its benificial. I usually put a glass rattle in some mylar tubing or some para cord, seal one end and tie it to the hook. Tie it in on the underside of the head for a jig style fly or tie in at the bend for and EP Minnow style fly. Have fun.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I'm in the same boat with Wrench and used the glass rattles, but never saw any justification for them. I also never tested them side by side with a non-rattle. Many lures have them and some say that gives an advantage to lures without because the bass hear so many?

My conclusion would be that you can only know by testing them against the same fly, sans rattle, at the same time. I would think however that less would be better because I doubt that the sounds of a crawdad are all that noticable.

[esox niger]

These might qualify as viable gentle rattle flies....These work out great for me but I don't have any idea of the sound they put out.... it must make some noise...right?

[fishinwrench]

Nice bass!

Good lookin' crawflys too.

[DaddyO]

Dude, what's with the glove? Do you always fish with that?

Nice flies and nice fish!

[Wayne SW/MO]

They say that bead chain eyes make a sound in the water, but of course I don't know how the know that. I do occasionaly hear one in the air, right before I duck!

[esox niger]

Dude, what's with the glove? Do you always fish with that?

Nice flies and nice fish!

I used to use gloves then I switched to lycra finer guard, now Im trying a waterski glove. I recomend trying it if you have abrassive conditions...big fish... worn out rod handle and/or old line. I have all four.