My favorite jig company offers to put rattles on their football jigs for an extra 25 cents. Is it worth it? I've never tried rattles on football jigs and was wondering if it makes a difference and why or why not you use them.

I may represent a minority here, but I don't think a person can emulate the quick rattling sound in a jig like say a lipless. At best you may get a "tic" when it hits bottom. Maybe a soft "tic" when nearly ripped off the bottom and then again when it arches back down from its apex.  Years ago I tried to emulate jigging action from the bottom of the pool. It seemed water resistance prevented the jig from moving in a fast noisy jiggle. Just my observation so I don't bother with them anymore. Others won't fish without them and that's great for them.

Maybe try some with and some without. I honestly have never seen much of a difference.

Well the rattles are designed to bring attention to the jig in stained water. Some claim to mimic the sound a crawfish makes, I think that is false some may argue. So the rattles basically just give the bass more reason to bite it or find the jig itself.

Rattles can make a difference in low visibility conditions like night fishing. If your water has poor depth of light, less than 3', rattles may be a good choice.

In Rocky areas the jig head hitting the rocks makes a sound bass can hear within a few feet. The jigs trailer moves water and bass can detect that much further away.

I use rattles at night.

Tom

While snorkeling in a  clear creek , I would tap my fingernail against my watch or tap two rocks together and the bass always , initially , swam over to check the sounds out. That doesnt prove that rattles on jigs work but I tend to think they will help get the fishes attention .

Rattles can make a difference in low visibility conditions like night fishing. If your water has poor depth of light, less than 3', rattles may be a good choice.

In Rocky areas the jig head hitting the rocks makes a sound bass can hear within a few feet. The jigs trailer moves water and bass can detect that much further away.

I use rattles at night.

Tom

^^This^^ ... Tom covers the topic well !