What is your favorite blank for tossing 1/2 and 3/4 Oz. Rattle Traps.

Thanks

I use the same as I do for my big crankbaits. I like the St Croix 3C70MHM or 4S70MHM.

For trolling, anything with a light tip so I can see the vibrations from the lure. If they're upset, either a fish or the bottom has been contacted.

For casting, any regular fast action rod that will handle the casting weight. Take your pick.

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For short range, any MB783 type bass blank. For longer casting, any MB843 type bass blank. I find popping blanks too light for these lures. Mag Bass blanks seem better.

I will second the St. Croix 4C70MF. I'm sure there are others that will work great but I have used this one in the SCIV and find it to be really special. The SCIII in this same model would be almost as good and would be less expensive and a bit tougher. But I have not had any trouble with my SCIV and like the "purty" blue color and the very light weight it offers.

I will throw out another option.

I love the Lamiglas CCB845MF. Great blank. Strong backbone and soft/fast tip.

Eddie

Castaway XP3 Bass Blanks Task Specific

MB844 7' MH 1/4 - 5/8 oz Moderate Action 2.4 oz

Spiral this one and throw a long long way!

903 7'6" 3/8 - 3/4 Oz MH Mod Fst 2.2 OZ

The 903 handled a 11# 11 OZ personal best on a crank at Falcon last week in the hands of Jim Behnke of San Antonio.

[www.swamplandtackle.com]

Pac Bay Tradition II T2MBC844 or 845. The 845 for the really big fast wiggle baits and the 844 for anything under an ounce. These are NICE blanks.

Richard this is a little scary but to show the durability of the Castaway XP3 cranking and spinner bait blanks take a look at this picture.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Scott is the production manager at the Castaway plant in Montgomery, Texas. He is about a mile from the boat launch and loves to field test stuff on "nooner time". He caught this monster on a Rattle Trap rigged on a light power spinner bait blank about two weeks ago. All of the blanks listed on the [www.swamplandtackle.com] site are designed with lengths, taper, power and actions to match specific bass fishing techniques. If you have any questions please visit the site for explanations of each.

I will toss this out. On crankbait blanks we are often told to not use rods with stiff tips, or to use glass or glass tipped rods. I'll buy that. But on the fast vibrating lures like Rattletraps I find that a stiffer tip and graphite construction are a plus. It helps to feel the more fast and subtle vibrations of these lures and usually when a fish strikes one they hit it hard and end up hooking themselves. My .02. The choice of actual blank is up to you. I think these builders above gave some good suggestions.

i use an s-glass... seeker i believe. its basicaly a 7' MH. Soft tip mod action. rips through weeds and keeps fish pinned. I like to through red-eye shad on 30lb power pro and this makes a nice setup.

Regards,
-Justin

Loomis MB843 IF you can find one! You'll love it!

St. Croix SCIII, 7' Med Fast.

I use a crankbait rod in more open water and my carolina rig rod in grass and timber.

I throw a lot of traps--it's one of my best go-to baits all year long. I throw mine on a 3C70MHM. It has enough power to stick them, and enough bend to keep them stuck.

My suggestion is to try as many different rods as you can and figure out which works best for you. I would encourage you to use one of the crankbait blanks or popping blanks with a very soft tip to keep those big fish from throwing your bait. I loose allot fewer fish v. throwing a traditional medium or medium heavy graphite blank.

My fishing partner, who is also a full time guide has probably boated more 10#+ fish on Rattle Traps the past 4 or 5 years than anyone else in the country, at least that's what the guys at Bill Norman tell him and he uses a 7'6" Loomis medium crankbait rod. He uses a slow speed Chronarch with 15-20 lb fluorocarbon. He fishes a trap heavily from October through May in 4-12 feet of water over grass.

His only complaint with the Loomis and most other factory crankbait rods is the handle length. It's too short. My buddy is Loomis sponsored so I asked him to get me 4 or 5 of the 7'6" crankbait blanks which aren't typically available to the public and I'll build him some spiral wrapped split grips to test. He goes through about 10 crankbait rods every few years and if he approves, I know it's a pretty good rod.

As nice as graphite is , I can't get away from glass. Lamiglass light weight glass rod blanks are what I like for crank baits.