TrapBass Trap Rat Product Review #trapbass #trapbasstraprat #trapbasshousemouse

Swimbait Review

Another SoCal Varietal, TrapBass's Fine Trap Rat

Date:	12/5/21
Tackle Type:	Lure
Manufacturer:	TrapBass
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 8.00 - GREAT

Introduction: Like certain varietals of wine, swimbaits with California origins have a very real and solid appeal. Those born in Southern California, in particular, carry with them an inferred sense of validity and reliability like a Napa Valley Cabernet. However, the subject of today's review is far more affordable than a vintage Napa Cab and doesn't need to be decantered in order to enjoy. The team at TrapBass have been making baits for nearly ten years now and their rat bait has been established since their company's launch in 2013. Here is our Rat Rumble look into their Trap Rat.

TrapBass Trap Rat Specifications
Type	Waking
Length	10 inches
Weight	3.4oz
Depth	0' - 6"
Material	Resin
No. Pieces	Two
Joint Style	Flat (with rounded edges)
Bill Angle	85 degrees
Variants	Over 20 color variations
Hooks	#1/0 Front : #1 Rear
MSRP	$65

Introducing TrapBass's Trap Rat

Impressions & Craftsmanship: At first glance, TrapBass's Trap Rat is a somewhat simple design. The bait measures ten inches from tip of nose to tip of tail and comes in two pieces. Unlike most rat baits, however, the Trap Rat's front section is wider than the back. The bait's overall body is also a lot thicker and wider than one might expect for its mere five inch body length. The best way to describe the Trap Rat is it's a stocky bait with somewhat substantial profile.

The Trap Rat has a somewhat simple rounded design

But the recessed eye sockets and ears are good details

Yet within that stocky frame is an interesting head detail with realistic ears and recessed eye sockets. There is a solid ring attached to the line tie instead of a mere split ring hinting at the fact this bait has been very well thought out. A look at the bait's back end reveals an off center attachment point for the tail with a recessed, centerpin style screw at the top of the bait's would be butt. Most rat baits have this attachment point closer to the center. This design keeps the tail floating at the very top of the water while allowing the hooks to sit just that extra quarter or half inch lower in the water. This very subtle design feature feels like it lends itself well to good hook up ratios.

However, for me, the most telling sign of something special might be afoot was TrapBass's use of a solid ring at the line tie

Ready to Rumble: Leveraging that Southern California mojo, I matched the Trap Rat up with my iRod Kaimana SWC794C-H, a stick that's quickly becoming one of my favorites with which to throw rats and other wake-style baits. To complete this pairing, I retired my Justice League inspired, Shimano Core 7 Flash reel (painted by ZPI Japan back in 2008) in favor of the more recent Shimano Japan 2020 Exsence DC SS. This is a DC reel tuned for use in saltwater retailing for roughly $340. Not to be confused with the more premium 2017 Exsence DC that retails for over $600. The latter appears to be based off the Antares platform while the former feels very much like a JDM Curado DC with oversized knobs. The first thing I did when I received the Exsence DC SS was to swap out the knobs.

The bait's two pieces are joined by a very stout double screw eye connection

For fishing line, I went with what has become my 2021 fishing line standard setup consisting of 50lb Seaguar Threadlock Hollow Braid as my mainline and a topshot of 25lb Gold Label Fluorocarbon Leader material. In some cases, I'll move up to 30lb Gold label and as a nylon monofilament alternative, I'm really liking Sunline's Saltimate Shockleader in 30lb, but 25lb Gold Label feels good with baits under four ounces in weight. For an attachment to the lure, since the TrapBass comes with a solid ring instead of split at the nose, I tied direct.

The tail is located, at the very top of the bait's rear end, out of range for the rear hook, and conveniently at the water's surface when afloat

Next Section: Trap Style Dexterity and Drawing Power