I just bought the white, brown, black and grey rat.I live 5min
away from the Delta here in Stockton Ca.I would love some tips
from you guys that know this bait.I would like to know how,
when and where to fish it.You guys amaze me on these boards, i
know you guys can help. 

Sharky,

The Rat is an excellent wake bait. hold the rod tip high and
make the tail kick as you slowly wake the bait accross the
surface. My editor at The Fish Sniffer got to experience the
effectiveness first hand in May on the Delta as he boated a 6,
4 and 3.5 in 45 minutes on Whiskey Slough

Rago himself recommends using the Generic Rat as a first
strike lure, throwing it as the first lure each time you set
down on a new spot.

I will say this, it is surprisingly more weedless than one
would think. It walks through hard cover very well, wood, pads
etc, even over the top of submerged grasses.

Fish it all the way back to the boat because you WILL get
explosive bites as you are about to pick the bait up to make
the next cast.

I prefer to use a heavy action glass rod because of the late
strikes, I throw 25 pound mono, but braid does well too. Chuck
it and hold on, they don't eat this thing because of hunger.

Dan O'Sullivan
Rago Baits "No Staffer" ;-)

Has anyone tried adding a stinger hook to the Ragu Rat? I have
had pretty good luck getting bit with it at night but have a
lot of fish throw the bait and a few just miss the hook on the
initial strike. Any suggestions?

I'd suggest that if it throws the hook and you miss the fish,
it's not the one you're after anyway. I mean, this is about
fishing for a trophy fish, right?

I recently bought their "Mouse", opting for the
lighter bait.  I am very interested in how you do with yours
and, of course, I'll report any Bass taken on mine.  It does
have a very life-like movement on top, especially the
soft-plastic tail(Creme worm!).  My only 'complaint' is that
it goes sub-surface with any speed-up of the reel.  I would
like to be able to  'skeet' it across the water's surface
but...............

Dan