the skinny on rat fishing

[shiftworker]

i'm kind of new to "RAT" fishing.

was just wondering what some of you thought about it. i mean straight up old school rat fishing, not the buzz frog. i'm talking matted grass and sloppy scum.


good or bad conditions
what to look for, what to avoid.
retrieve techniques,
time of day that works best
etc. just whatever you would like to add

anxious to see what everyone has to say

 

[rsimms]

I haven't done it in a long time, but "in the day," I prefer popper-style rats (cupped front like a Hula Popper). You can stick a little split shot inside and they'll cast better, but still float. Heavy line... braid is great.

Most important!

When a fish hits... don't set hook immediately. I don't understand why, but if you set hook immediately you'll miss 'em every time. Count to 2 or 3 and then set hook... and yes, it's hard!

 

[Aries 181]

I love rat fishing on nasty Nick. I use a slow steady retrieve back to the boat. I have better success in the mornings up to 12-1 PM as its too hot later in the day.
You'll know where people are fishing because of the trails that are left on the surface of the grass. I miss way more fish than I catch but the ones I do catch are all solid keepers, not slicks.

Bill

 

[flip1up]

I have done better from mid August through late September or even through October. Color and retrieve can be different on any given day. I use a 7.5 foot flippin stick ( heavy ) with 50+ braided line. Dont set the hook til you feel the fish pulling on the rod. You will miss alot of fish, thats just how it goes. You can insert weights or rattles into them. A couple of weeks ago I had a few good blow ups on Nick. only hooked up on 1 fish, it was a pretty good one though. Good luck.

 

[Pointer 78]

Try taking a pair of pliers and pull both hooks up about 1/4 of an inch. It'll give the frog a bigger bite and a better hookup.

 

[Guest]

The best rat/frog I have found is the swamp donkey by reaction innovations. The bronze eye is good but takes on water to quickly. You have to squeeze the water out about every 3 casts. Flippin stick is a must with 30 to 50 lb braid. Any part of the day can be good for frog fishin. Look for good active grass mats with scattered pot holes in them. You will want to speed up retrieve over open holes so the fish don't get too good a look at the bait. They say listen for grass mats that are popping and those are the active ones but I have caught fish on both silent and popping mats.