ONTARIO, Calif. (July 7, 2025) — Anglers targeting giant predators near the water's surface are soon to have a new tool in their tackle box: the FishLab BBZ Wake Rat. This innovative lure, created in partnership with renowned fishing designer Bill Siemantel, aims to imitate the frantic movements of a distressed rodent, a trigger for explosive bites from the biggest fish available.
"Surface strikes are about instinct," said Bill Siemantel, BBZ lure developer at FishLab. "You need to trigger that primal response. The Wake Rat was built to create visual noise, audible panic, and lifelike movement all in one. That’s how you get big bites."
The BBZ Wake Rat boasts a hyper-realistic design, with features that mirror a rodent skimming over the water's surface. Its classic metal lip generates a deep, gurgling wake during a steady retrieve, while a twitching motion creates a compelling "walk-the-dog" action. This is enhanced by a loud internal rattle that offers fish various sounds and movement patterns with each cast.
Anglers can choose between two sizes of the BBZ Wake Rat to fit their fishing needs. The 2.5-inch model is ideal for finesse applications, particularly for targeting species like largemouth and smallmouth bass. The larger 3.5-inch two-piece version is designed to attract aggressive bites from trophy bass, pike, musky, and other big-game hunters.
"We wanted to create something that not only looks alive but feels alive to the fish as well," Siemantel explained. The bait's patented segmented tail is integral to its design, generating surface commotion to attract attention from both pressured and unpressured predators alike.
Constructed using premium components, the BBZ Wake Rat is outfitted with razor-sharp black nickel treble hooks and high-strength stainless steel split rings. It also features a replaceable tail design, allowing anglers to easily customize their presentation with different colors throughout the fishing season.
"Innovation in lure design is key to staying ahead in the competitive sport of fishing," added Siemantel. "The BBZ Wake Rat incorporates everything we’ve learned through years of experimentation and on-water research. I believe it will give anglers both an edge and a thrill when going after those big catches."
The highly anticipated BBZ Wake Rat will be available for purchase starting in 2025, solidifying FishLab's commitment to producing innovative and effective fishing solutions.
At FishLab, the philosophy revolves around learning through experience. "The water is our lab, and we love research!" the team notes. This commitment to understanding the nuances of angling ensures that each new product is backed by empirical evidence and creative ingenuity for the best possible fishing experience. From art to science, FishLab’s approach allows them to improve the odds in the quest for the next big catch.
As the fishing community eagerly awaits the release of the BBZ Wake Rat, excitement is building around its potential to change the landscape of topwater fishing for big fish. The lure's combination of realism, sound, and motion promises to make waves when it hits stores, giving anglers a new edge in their pursuit of their next trophy fish.
