Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe Mini & Bone Voyage Rod Review: A Late Afternoon Fishing Session

This fishing report details a late afternoon angling session focused on targeting panfish using lightweight lures. The primary lure employed was the Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe Mini, a 3/16-ounce lipless crankbait, paired with a Bone Voyage rod and a Daiwa Alphas SV TW 800S reel. Despite windy conditions, the compact lure proved highly effective in attracting a variety of species, including bluegills, perch (white and yellow), and crappies. The session also served as a comparative study, with a later switch to the Euro Tackle Z Viber (1/8 ounce) with single hooks, offering a contrast in hook styles and their impact on hook-up rates.The report explores the advantages and disadvantages of both treble and single hooks, highlighting the challenges presented by the delicate mouths of crappies and the increased snag resistance of single hooks. The overall effectiveness of small lipless crankbaits for panfishing is underscored, along with an assessment of the tackle used, including the reel's line capacity and the rod's sensitivity and backbone. The results offer valuable insights into lure selection, tackle suitability, and effective techniques for late-afternoon panfishing in challenging weather conditions.

Pros And Cons

Read more: 5 Killer Spinnerbait Fishing Lures You Need

Tackle Setup: Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe Mini & Bone Voyage Rod

This fishing session focused on using the Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe Mini, a 3/16 ounce lipless crankbait. Its compact size makes it perfect for targeting smaller fish. The lure was paired with a Bone Voyage rod, providing a nice balance of backbone and sensitivity.

The rod's flexible tip helps to prevent hook pulls during the fight. This is especially beneficial with smaller lures that have treble hooks. This combo proved to be quite effective in reeling in several catches.

Reel Selection: Daiwa Alphas SV TW 800S

The Daiwa Alphas SV TW 800S reel, with its heavy spool, was chosen for its ability to handle thicker line. This setup is typically used for swimbaits but performed well with this particular lure and application.

While the heavier line (20lb test) might be slightly overkill for this lure, it provided excellent control and casting distance. In the future, a lighter 15lb braid might be preferable for increased sensitivity.

Target Species and Fishing Conditions

Fishing took place late in the afternoon, during a windy period. The primary target species were panfish like bluegills, perch (including white perch and yellow perch), and crappies. Bass were present but less active in the deeper, weedier areas.

The windy conditions made for challenging fishing but also concentrated the fish in certain locations. This made for some exciting action despite the late hour.

Fishing Results and Observations

The fishing session yielded a variety of species, with a large number of white perch being particularly noteworthy. Several nice-sized crappies were also caught, showing the versatility of the Rattl'n Vibe Mini.

The angler experienced some challenges with the delicate mouths of the crappies, highlighting the need for a net to ensure successful landing. Some fish were lost due to the paper-thin mouths of the crappies.

Euro Tackle Z Viber: A Comparison

Later in the session, the angler switched to the Euro Tackle Z Viber (1/8 ounce), with single hooks. While effective in catching more white perch, the single hooks proved less prone to snagging. This allowed for a higher hook-up ratio.

The comparison between the two lures demonstrates the advantage of single hooks in preventing snags while maintaining an impressive catch rate. The choice of lure ultimately depends on personal preference and target species.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Both the Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe Mini and the Euro Tackle Z Viber proved highly effective in this late afternoon fishing session. The Bone Voyage rod and Daiwa Alphas reel provided excellent performance.

The choice between treble hooks (Rattl'n Vibe) and single hooks (Z Viber) depends on the angler's preference and the specific fishing conditions. Overall, this session highlighted the effectiveness of small lipless crankbaits for targeting a variety of panfish.