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UltimateBassin.com Product Review: Rat-L-Trap Bleeding Shad Series
Review: Rat-L-Traps work very well on the vast majority of most southern lake impoundments due to the similarity of the bait’s shape and size to the baitfish and forage the bass are feeding on. This particular review strives to differentiate between the existing and new Rat-L-Traps and how the bass responded during the testing phase to the old and new colors and patterns.
As the action of these new lures appeared similar in movements as their predecessors, the results were above and beyond expectations from the originals. The sounds were dramatically different coming through the water, while listening from above the water surface in a fiberglass bass boat. The new version baits look strikingly realistic swimming through the water and fish were not shy to bust them in a mean, aggressive manner, from a distance or in close proximity to the boat. The bleeding red hooks were very easily seen in stained water with 6-7 inches of visibility (water clarity). All three color patterns tested, were the ¾ oz lure size, fished on 17 pound Excalibur monofilament fishing line and each produced equally well, with the chrome blue bleeding shad color catching the most fish. The Diamond Dust bleeding shad color succeeded in catching the largest bass. White bass and black bass both equally attacked the chrome blue, with the diamond dust color catching the largest black bass of 6 pounds, 4 ounces. This test was conducted over 3 different days with conditions ranging from high bluebird skies to cloudy and overcast. Water temperatures recorded in the upper 60ºs and low 70ºs.
The Breakdown: Simply put these lures to work. Having been using Rat-L-Trap lures in over 30 years of fishing and guiding, these new and unique features enhance an already top-notch lipless crankbait. The bass responded well to the stimuli created by the unique sound, vibration and visual signals the Bleeding Shad exhibited on our home lake under a variety of ambient conditions. Innovation: Extremely innovative, the new sound and color patterns combined with the bleeding red hooks attached, make this lure the innovation of the new fishing season that we have had the privilege to fish. Strength: Extremely durable, quality paint and finish, all the way down to the size and quality of the split rings. We did not have any failure of any component of these new lures, even after 6 months of extensive testing. However, we did have a few largemouth bass teeth marks on the side of the lures, which is to be expected. Overall: Bill Lewis Lure Company's Rat-L-Trap Bleeding Shad with bleeding Reflex red hooks gets high marks. It catches good numbers of multi-bass species, large bass, is extremely durable and strong, and is an excellent “searching tool” lure. This lure is available in a multitude of colors and patterns, including most likely, your favorite color. It is available in all four of their major lure sizes ranging from 1/8 oz Tiny Trap all the way up to the ¾ oz Mag Trap, the one tested here. Where to Purchase: Bill Lewis Lures, Rat-L-Trap Bleeding Shad lures can be found at nearly any sporting goods or tackle store, including Wal-Mart, Bass Pro Shops and Cabella’s. The company also has additional information and possibly can be ordered at www.rat-l-trap.com, which has a complete selection of sizes and all available colors and patterns. By Mike Siefert Millwood Lake Guide Service On the web at www.MillwoodGuideService.com 1. Excerpt taken from Bill Lewis Lures, Rat-L-TrapÒ 2004 product catalog, Bill Lewis Lures, P.O. Box 7959, Alexandria, LA, 71306, Sports Design & Development, Inc., www.rat-l-trap.com. Review published on www.UltimateBassin.com
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Description: The Bill Lewis Lure Company, which
introduced the world famous Rat-L-Trap
When testing the new versions, three colors and patterns were
selected, which the prior version had previously produced well in our home
lake, Millwood Lake, in southwest Arkansas. The three colors selected for
the purpose of this review were Bleeding Shad Chrome Blue, Bleeding White
Shad, and Bleeding Shad Diamond Dust. The new lures additionally possessed
another twist or property, which the prior versions did not, called Liv-N-Sound.
“Liv-N-Sound, according to Bill Lewis Lures, is a result of years of
research and refinement to the design of the Rat-L-Trap
resulting in a near exact duplication of the signature fish attracting
sounds made by baitfish. These findings are among the most significant in
fishing history and provide scientifically proven correlation between
natural bait and artificial lure design…the Rat-L-Trap.
In fact, independent tests have confirmed and proven that the new Rat-L-Trap
design with Liv-N-Sound produces natural sounds which are nearly identical
to sounds made by schooling shad under distress. These specific sounds are
highly effective for attracting bass and other gamefish and for stimulating
aggressive feeding behaviors, based on years of extensive research conducted
by Dr. Loren Hill, University of Oklahoma in association with Biosonix
Systems, Inc and other studies” 