what is the lowest water temperature fish will hit a rattle trap.also a swim bait. thanks

With water temperatures in the low 40s East Texas bass love Traps    

Since Rats do better early in the Spring before the spawn and in the Fall, I agree with Catt.

Although I do throw them in 50* water, too.

As for swimbaits, I did not throw them very often in 2008 but plan to thrwo them a lot more in 2009 so I am of no help with that part of your question.

I think both can be effective in any water that's not frozen!

8-)

Fish will crush a lipless crankbait as long as the water isn't hard.  The biggest key is wind.  As long as there is a chop on the water, I'm chuckin one.

I think it just a question if they will be shallow enough when the temps get very cold.

I have caught plenty of fish on both at 42 degrees. I have caught lipless crank fish at 38 degrees.

They love it when the water temp is in the 40s and you cannot crank it fast enough to keep them off it.

I fished a rattle trap when the water was 38 and caught 2 fish then I got cold and went home they worked that day. I never tried a swimbait yet when it was cold so I can't reply to that question

I think it just a question if they will be shallow enough when the temps get very cold.

I can catch bass suspended down 15-18' on Rat-L-Traps by using Ole Paul Elias's Knee-N-Reel technique coupled with a slow rolling which keeps the trap a couple foot deeper. I know what y'all gonna say just let the trap fall and while this trick works East Texas bass like that trap moving if not burning.

Bass will come up 6-8' to hit a trap  

I think both can be effective in any water that's not frozen!

Listen to RW.

I've caught fish on them from Ice out to just before ice up.

I prefer the Redeye Shad to the std Rattle Trap though.

8-)

The biggest key is wind. As long as there is a chop on the water, I'm chuckin one.

X2 on that!

I only want to add that most rattle trap hooks suck.  If you buy the regular traps with the chrome hooks, take a minute and replace them.  There are lots of good ones, I happen to like Owner best.

I only want to add that most rattle trap hooks suck. If you buy the regular traps with the chrome hooks, take a minute and replace them. There are lots of good ones, I happen to like Owner best.

I always replace the hooks before putting in my boxes.