V K S B . A s I i T le S nt
Sonar” Burghoff
M
iles “Sonar” Burghoff is the co-host
of Sweetwater TV fishing show. He
resides in California, but travels the
country in search of bass everywhere. I questioned Miles about crankbaits, more
specifically rattling versus silent crankbaits.
As someone who was very successful in the
collegiate ranks while attending Central Florida, co-
hosts a TV show and competes in various circuits
here on the West Coast, Burghoff has encountered
many situations where he has had to make a choice
between a silent or rattling crankbait. He was happy to
share his knowledge on the topic with WesternBass
readers.
SOUNDS VARY
even different types of rattles – multi-BB that rattle around an open chamber and a “one knocker” which is a single large BB that makes a distinct sound when it moves about the chamber.
BBs are made from a variety of materials such as steel, lead, tungsten and sometimes brass which all make a sound distinct to each metal. Miles said, “Experimenting with these different style rattles can help you set your presentations apart from the rest.”
Each metal makes a different sound; lead makes a more dull sound, while tungsten and steel make a much more defined and louder noise. Miles advised, “As a crankbait gets older and is used more, the BBs banging inside the bait will create a plastic dust (if the bait is plastic) which will subdue the sound, making each individual bait unique.”
Miles informed us how, “until recently, most crankbaits only came in either a rattling or silent version, but not both.”
Nowadays, most every hard bait company makes both versions for the same crankbait. There are
CHOOSING SOUND
There are just a couple factors Miles considers when deciding between a rattling or silent crankbait, water clarity being the main one. “Water clarity for me
SPRING 2016
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