I am a sucker for a surface lure. Spook, deadstick, rat. I fish surface every month of the year under all conditions. I started using the rat last year and found it to be very effective however I wanted it a little bigger and noisier. Also had a big problem with the tail. I figured I needed 3 rats. One on the end of the line, one ready to go when the tail ripped off of the one I was using, and one with the tail glue drying.

While I was cleaning the boat after a killer day on the surface, I noticed crazy glue on the gunnel of the Ranger; it was from gluing the rat-tails. I decided it was time to build my own rat (for personnel use) and do away with the tail problem, also making it bigger and louder.

On my first try with a piece of hardwood I had what I was looking for. I could not believe how loud it was; also I solved the tail problem. Instead of gluing the tail in a hole I epoxyed a hitchhiker in the hole (can be purchased from Barlow’s). I now screw the tail on instead of gluing it. It is a much faster set-up. I get a lot more casts in a day, and the tail holds better. Also I don’t miss gluing my fingers together (an I the only one that has ever done that).

A hitchhiker can be epoxyed in your current rat lure and do away with the time consuming mess of gluing in a tail. This should be a big plus for tournament jocks, getting extra casts in could mean a check.

The epoxy I found that works the best is the five minute gel. The hitchhiker can be placed in the epoxy and the gel is thick enough to hold the hitchhiker so it doesn’t move before drying.

Rat fisherman, I hope I have helped.

Henry

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