As you already know there are plenty of unconventional ways to work a RattleTrap. I've seen some actually jigging them in the winter time on the deep end of a dock or over cover. My preferred method is a more shallow approach but is still designed to elicit that same reaction strike from the bass.
Think of slow rolling a spinnerbait but apply this technique using a 1/2 ounce RattleTrap. The first thing you think is that you'd get the thing hung up - constantly. Once you get the rhythm of working the lure in this fashion it will be quite the opposite. The shape of the lure and the position of the line tie actually help you roll over a rock, log or stump. The key is to place slowly increasing pressure on the lure to help it rise up and over the obstruction. If you react and quickly set the hook you'll just bury the lure into the obstruction.
Setting the picture, it is a cool winter or early spring day and you want to try for a larger than average bass. Pick a nice point or shelf and start throwing the RattleTrap right where the water meets the bank. Move the boat around and probe the entire area around the structure. As the water warms the fish will get up into the shallows to take advantage of the warmer water and to find forage fish. Some days the best side is near the deeper side of the point or rip-rap vertical transition.
Some days, later in the year with warmer water, they'll stack on the shallow side or up in the pocket (horizontal transition). This will usually occur closer to the annual staging cycle.
I've used this on at least half of the Georgia reservoirs with great success. This is a tactic that will work in the winter from the time when the lake or reservoir reaches its lowest water temperature of the year and will run up until the spawn. This method will work for seasoned anglers as well as newcomers to the sport. I've used it in tourneys and have also had success taking co-workers out and letting them try their hand at it. Anyone can chunk a RattleTrap without too much instruction. What I'm describing is more of a fine tuning in the way one presents the lure to the quarry. Hope this helps.
