best rat lures

Question

best rat lures

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Best Rat Lures — quick guide, setups, and how to fish ’em**

Rats are a topwater’s secret weapon for **big bass, pike, and musky**. Here’s a practical rundown of the best rat-style baits, how to rig them, retrieve options, and what to change for *early winter* conditions. 🐭🎣

**Top picks (what to buy)**
- **22nd Century Nezzuma Rat XL** — a big, trophy-focused wakebait with heavy duty build for giants. [22nd Century Nezzuma Rat XL Swimbait](https://tackle.net/item/22nd-century-nezzuma-rat-xl-swimbait)
- **Rocker Rat (Pearl White)** — compact, versatile, great for walking, twitching, or burning across shallow cover. [Rocker Rat (Pearl White)](https://tackle.net/item/rocker-rat-pearl-white)
- **NugZ Mouse (Brown)** — compact and easy for tight cover and grass edges. [NugZ Mouse (Brown)](https://tackle.net/item/nugz-mouse-brown)
- **Jerry Rago Thunderhawk Rat Benny** — great small-to-mid size rat for a more finesse topwater approach. [Thunderhawk Rat Benny](https://tackle.net/item/jerry-rago-thunderhawk-rat-benny)
- From Amazon: **Savage Gear 3D Rat / R-300** — proven, realistic profiles if you want a ready-made option. [Savage Gear R-300-GY 3D Rat](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HJ3IHXM?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) | [Savage Gear 3D Rad Rat](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z1DLB8R?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

**How to fish them (techniques)**
- **Wake and steady retrieve**: slow steady retrieve so the tail/wake draws attention. Best in calm to mildly choppy water. *Works great in early morning and evening.*
- **Twitch / dead-stick**: twitch once, pause. Big fish often hit on the pause. *In early winter, slow your twitch cadence and increase pauses.*
- **Burn occasionally**: when fish are aggressive, burn the rat to trigger reaction strikes.

**Gear & rigging**
- Rod: **Heavy or Heavy-Extra Heavy** power, fast action for solid hooksets. 
- Reel: stout baitcasting reel, low-to-mid gear ratio. 
- Line: 50–80 lb braid with 20–40 lb fluorocarbon leader for abrasion resistance and stealth. Use heavy snaps or split rings if the lure is large.

**Early winter adjustments (weather effects)**
- Cold water = *slower metabolism.* Fish are less likely to chase long, so **slow your retrieve**, increase pauses, and fish sunny, warmer pockets or shallow flats during midday. Target structure where baitfish congregate (dock pilings, laydowns, reed edges). If surface temps dip, try *dead-sticking* near cover.

Want to see rat lures in action? Check these clips: [Introducing: The Ever Green Combat Rat Swimbait](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s8kfTEC13w) | [RAT FISHING Made EASY!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAkrFYCQF64) | [Do Fish Really Eat BIG Rat Swimbaits?!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jov8gRlBew4)

Go try one or two sizes/colors — *rats are matchup baits*: big rats for big fish, small rats for pressured or tight-cover bites. Tighten that drag, keep your hooks sharp, and have fun — those surface explosions are addictive! 🙌

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