More on the Rattsler VLL...

The 65 VLL can wiggle its tail through submerged tree tops and deep brush beds that would snag bulkier lures with bigger hooks. When it does get hung in wood or brush, you can't really rip it out like in grass. However, the 65 VLL is a fast-riser so it may float up quickly when you pause it, often rising free of whatever had been impeding its forward progress.

In the above kinds of situations, the small 65 VLL is quite capable of landing big fish when used with medium strength line and rods necessary to handle big fish in thick grass or other kinds of cover.

The 65 VLL is also suited for light tackle in open water. It is ideal for trolling or casting on small waters, for smaller gamefish, for spooky fish that refuse larger lures or when faced with sparkling clear water conditions, the 65 VLL is superb.

The larger 85VLL gets down even deeper. The 85VLL will bog down in weeds, so it's harder to rip it out. It is a comparatively slow-riser. So it won't float up out of wood or brush as easily. Nevertheless there are days when fish want that 85 VLL cranked right along deep grass edges or coming past deep flooded brush, so you need to "snake" or "worm" the 85 VLL through cover to make it work. You may see now that although the 85 VLL and 65 VLL look similar (except for size), there are key differences in how best to use them.

The fact it is a slow-riser when paused, that it tends to stay down at the level it's at, makes the 85VLL a stellar crank for bottom-bouncing relatively open water structure like ledges, humps, points, ridges, drop-offs, etc. There are days when many strikes happen during little lingering pauses or hesitations you make in the action after the 85 VLL stutters or skitters across high spots on deep structure.

Whenever you detect that the 85 VLL has hit a high spot, a rock or raised obstruction on bottom, get ready for action! The 85VLL reacts by canting over on its flat side as its long bill tap-tap-taps its way sideways, skittering toward the side edge of the obstruction. Many times it may never make it off the edge, however. The instant before it does, a greedy predator may decide it's the perfect time and place to pummel it!