The topic of rattles attracting bass has been beat up and I think we can agree that bass are curious and come to the noise. BUT...do you think a jig with a rattle slightly tilting in the water actually makes a noise?  Actually rattles the bbs?  You can't shake a jig up and down fast like you do in your hand.  I'm experimenting with rattle position.  Rattles on a jig hook shank actually roll from one end of the rattle tube to the other..they don't blast back and forth.  I really want my jigs to be noticed in muddy water.  What are your ideas?  Thanks all.

Clicks under water are still clicks the bass pick up within a few feet of the lure. Water displacement from the jigs trailer the bass feel further away, lateral line awareness and close proximity hearing and visually seeing the jigs all work together to trigger a strike.

Night, Lower light and dirty water rattles can’t hurt and can help.

I use the rubber leg type rattle attachment and rattles from Barlow’s. The legs act like legs to help keep the hook upright and bang around on structure making noises.

Tom

Despite fishing mostly clear rarely stained habitats, I do use various baits, both hard and soft, with and without rattles. No sure either way is ever really a game changer, but have seen an occasional preference one way or the other.

Something I do bank on though, is that the mature bass I'm routinely seeking, and I'll even go as far as to call them Senoirs, didn't reach that age by missing many opportunities.  Meaning, she is the queen of her castle and is very aware of her surroundings; especially when it comes to predators & prey.

If she's into it, she'll be all over my jig.  With or without a rattle.

A-Jay

42 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Something I do bank on though, is that the mature bass I'm routinely seeking, and I'll even go as far as to call them Senoirs, didn't reach that age by missing many opportunities.

That’s interesting. I would have figured that big bass get that way because they’re more selective about what they eat, especially in pressured waters where the biggest stressor is angling

8 minutes ago, Buzzbaiter said:

That’s interesting. I would have figured that big bass get that way because they’re more selective about what they eat, especially in pressured waters where the biggest stressor is angling

Top predators of any species become big by developing superior hunting skills adapted to their particular environment.  They also have to develop survival instincts in order be able to adapt to predators that are dangers to them.   Sometimes being extra cautious is at odds with being a successful hunter.  Other times they go hand in hand.  Either way they will know when, where, and how to catch their prey.

Tom answered the question - yes they make noise and bass can hear them.

 

Here is a video of a rattle jig in a bathtub. The camera goes underwater and you can hear it in the video. And it's just swimming not hopping or anything.

 

 

16 hours ago, A-Jay said:

No sure either way is ever really a game changer, but have seen an occasional preference one way or the other.

 

My exact sentiments ?

 

I've seen rattles work in clear water but if I'm throwing jigs with rattles it's because I'm struggling!

 

Personal preference Lunker Lure Triple Rattleback Flipping Jigs.

I have used them with good success but can not claim the rattle made any difference . Sounds carry so well under water that it doesnt take much to get a basses attention .While snorkeling in a clear Ozark stream , every single snag I came across had bass on it . When I tapped a fingernail on my watch face  , the bass would come check it out . 

Over the past few yearsI have started to remove the rattles from jigs that have them. I’m not seeing a big difference on catching bass, and sometimes the skirt gets fouled in the rattles. 

I have used both rattles and other non rattle jigs. Like others, I can't say for sure if rattles have made a difference or not. I'd say carry some of both types, as the bite can vary day to day.

I too haven't noticed a big difference with rattles in jigs.  I think in dirtier water, you just have to cast better, to get it closer to the bass.  They'll still bite a jig in muddy water.  I usually focus more on color in dirty water than sound, with jigs anyway.  Black and blue seems to work well.  

 

I feel like the tiny beads in glass tubes that you push into plastic trailers work better than big rattles.  They're not as loud, but as someone else put it, they sound more like crayfish feet walking on rocks than big rattles.  But maybe that's just been a coincidence or confirmation bias.  If they do work better, it's not by a lot.  

I always use a rattle....jigs and soft plastics.  I prefer glass rattles inserted into my bait/trailer.  I use the larger single ball 'tube' rattle the most.  It will fit in most creature baits and provides a nice knocking sound.

I can honestly say I never gave rattles on jigs a second thought and it's probably because my time on the water (freshwater) has been seriously impact the past few years due to life in general.

 

Although, this thread has made me open my eyes and I think it could be a help to my saltwater hobby.

 

Love the responses here. ?

 

TY