A Clacker makes the sound of gamefish feeding on the surface. Fished ahead of a shrimp or a soft plastic, it calls fish in from a distance they would never have seen the bait from — and it suspends that bait at a set depth while you leave it alone.
Which clacker, and how to work it
Three shapes, three sounds
- Popper Clacker — the loudest. A concave face that throws water as well as clicking. For wind chop, dirty water, or covering a big flat quickly.
- Oval Clacker — the middle ground and the everyday choice. A full, round click that carries well without being obnoxious.
- Cigar Clacker — the slim profile casts best into wind and gives a sharper, tighter click. The one for calm water and pressured fish that have heard the loud version all week.
Working it
Cast it out, give one sharp pop, and then leave it completely alone. Count to five. Most strikes come on that pause, because that is when the bait behind it falls naturally. Popping continuously is the single most common mistake — the noise attracts the fish, the pause is what makes them eat.
What to rig behind it
Twelve to eighteen inches of fluorocarbon and a 3" Shrimp is the classic. A C.A.L. 3" Shad Tail on a light jig head also works well. Set the leader length to suspend the bait just above the grass tops — too long and it fouls, too short and it never reaches the fish.
Prefer it pre-rigged? See the Deadly Combos, which pair each clacker with a shrimp or swim bait ready to tie on.
