Trolling with Rattle Trap Bass Baits

I wondered if anyone out there trolls w/ Bill Lewis Rattle traps while out in Salt water? I've used this lure to great success in freshwater and also tidal waters. I have caught so many different species it amazes me. Anything from bass (white, sand, smallmouth, largemouth, strippers, etc to speckled trout, redfish and sheephead). I'd love to hear your success stories and the different types of species you've landed.
I'd also love to pick your brain for any tips. And your favorite patterns and weights. - Yokut

I've also caught a few walleye in the willy this time of year using the red crawdad colored rattle traps. Great point on the salt though. I've also wondered if maybe the blue/silver rattle trap might work in the salt targeting rock fish near the surface. Anyone had any luck in the salt with these?

I used to use silver with a blue back for schoolie stripers back east. 


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If you had rockfish on the surface they would work for sure (I haven't tried them but have used other plugs successfully).  Once the rock fish drop down in the water column it gets tough to reach them as the plugs are on the light side.  However in shallow water around the edges of the kelp they would probably be money, especially the heavier sizes.  I agree on the chrome  and black or chrome and blue as far as colors go.  Both are also great spring colors for PDX smallmouth

I have a smorgasboard of Rattle traps in my arsenal from 1/8 oz all the way to 1 oz (I haven't used the 1 ouncers yet but have designs on using them in Saltwater, 3/4 oz ought to work well too I'm thinking). I figure they'll ride pretty darn deep behind a slow troll on 20lb  braided line and have more than a hunch it'll catch more than just rock bass.....time will tell but I'd go as far to "almost" guarantee it'll put a fish or two in the boat you'd never had thought it would.
I haven't been out in the Salt yet but looking forward to experimenting. These lures cease to amaze me. MY FAVORITE go to hard bait without question. Definitely lethal on Smallies.
Oh yeah, CHROME with either black or blue back (I prefer blue), Chartereuse or a variation of Crawfish red all have produced for me in a big way. Give em a shot and I think you'll agree. 

Just to add another suggestion... on those deep water rock bass.... I'm thinking a bass is  bass.... try JIGGING. I bet it'll call 'em like a dinner bell!!!!

I've had some success with similar baits shallow bass in the ocean.  I've only tried them a couple of times but they produced fish.

  Personally I hate rattle traps but am a huge fan of the River2Sea, Lucky Craft, and Rattlin Rapala variants of lipless crank baits.   I've always had much better luck with those for largemouths and finally gave up on rattletraps completely.  They are my favorite lure for bass and I've shored up my collection this year to almost 3 dozen in various sizes and colors.  Bright high contrast patterns for murky dark water or overcast days,  Realistic, light, or ghost colors for clear water and sunny.

In any kind of current it might be tough, but I've had great success using the Rat-L-Traps vertical jigging for trout...through the ice. probably would work even if its not completely vertical in the salt.

The huge magnum sized saltwater ones tangle if you jig too aggressively but they and the other sizes plus rattlin raps are a staple of our ice fishing tackle.

I wondered if anyone out there trolls w/ Bill Lewis Rattle traps while out in Salt water?... Anything from bass (etc to speckled trout, redfish and sheephead).
- Yokut

I have not done it, but I have seen some MULE Speckled Trout pulled up with a rattle trap on the troll in Lake Pontchartrain.

I've done some blind trolling from time to time with a variety of lipless crankbaits in the salt, but nothing has come of it... It would definitely be much more beneficial to be casting at surfacing fish, and I have had luck in that regard.  I don't think color has much of an importance, just make it flashy and rattle loud.