Bassmaster® Classic Win Results in Reproduction of Original Smithwick RB1200 Rattlin' Rogue
The 35th annual CITGO Bassmaster Classic turned out to be the toughest in history. An absence of quality keepers had bass anglers looking for an edge -- the fishing lure that would provide just a few extra ounces -- to give them the title of Classic champion. One fishing lure, the Smithwick original RB1200 Rattlin' Rogue, proved to be the bait that changed the course of the tournament and reinforced that its winning reputation hasn't changed -- it's the same as it ever was.
A field of 47 bass anglers tried desperately to find the key to the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. The search to find a keeper fish had many anglers scrambling. Many ditched their go-to techniques when they failed to produce.
Michigan angler Kevin VanDam claimed his second Bassmaster Classic title fishing main river structures with current -- seawalls, bridges and points -- anything with a current break. VanDam chose a chrome-colored original RB1200 Rattlin' Rogue because he noticed that when water levels fluctuated, the fish stayed close to cover and ambushed balls of shad.
VanDam said he was looking for a bait that was super buoyant, with a shallow lip to stay in the top of the water column and one that would move erratically when fished -- imitating injured baitfish -- and the original RB1200 Rattlin' Rogue fit the bill. The Rogue helped VanDam post one of only two limits on the final day -- and a final weight of 12 pounds, 15 ounces.
The original RB1200 Rattlin' Rogue is a shallow-lipped, floating Rogue. The old-style bait features a Butyrate paddle, which is more flexible than other plastic and gives the bait more action. The bait also features lead weights, which produce a duller sound, setting it apart from brass, steel and other rattles which most lures on the market use today. The bait measures 4 1/2 inches, weighs 1/3 ounce and features three #6 treble hooks.
The RB1200 Rattlin' Rogue has not been available in its original design for more than 10 years, but Smithwick is proud to announce the reproduction of the original RB1200 Rattlin' Rogue. These reproductions will allow all bass anglers to experience the characteristics of the original RB1200 Rattlin' Rogue. The reproductions of the original RB1200 Rattlin' Rogue will be on the market at top fishing retailers in October 2005.
The bait will be available in six proven Rogue colors: 31 (chrome/black), 32 (chrome/blue), 31OB (chrome/black/orange belly), 32OB (chrome/blue back/orange belly), 35 (clown), and 69 (gold).
"The erratic motion of the Rattlin' Rogue really gets a reaction out of lethargic fish," said fellow Classic angler Brian Snowden. "That erratic motion is what I look for. It's easy to cast and produces better quality fish. I have to fish it.
"I throw a Rogue a lot," Snowden said. "I need to eliminate a lot of tackle and just keep the stuff that wins and I was thinking I need to get a bunch of those Rogues that Kevin was using. It's won back-to-back B.A.S.S. tournaments -- the Wisconsin B.A.S.S. E50 and now the Classic -- so there must be something to that bait."
With subtle rattles and wounded minnow-action, the original RB1200 Rattlin' Rogue was the perfect bait to help VanDam attain a come-from-behind victory.
VanDam fished the Rogue for the majority of the tournament, jerking the lure violently to produce an even more explosive and erratic action.
"After fishing this thing like I have for the past few days, I can say my forearms have definitely gotten a workout," VanDam said.
"As long as there are anglers fishing there will be lures that are better suited for certain bodies of water," said Illinois tournament angler Curt Samo. "And the Rogue has proved that it is one of those baits that is versatile enough to be effective in many situations."
And the Smithwick original ARB1200 Rattlin' Rogue ensured its fish-catching legend is the same as it ever was -- with a Bassmaster Classic title.
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