Drawing Power: Once I dialed in the proper cadence with the Nat Rat, I could see it moves a good amount of water and has a nice sloshy sound accompanied by a low to medium volume knock. That larger rear end really helps with both aspects of the Nat Rat's drawing power and those eyes on top of the head make it appear as if the bait is pleading with you to speed your retrieve and get it back to the boat ASAP and save it from impending doom. Naturally, there was little chance of such mercy.

Stout hardware
 

There's a recessed pocket for the tail

Vitality: Bigg Nasty builds the Nat Rat with some pretty stout hardware. The only area of concern I had was the method by which that soft plastic, worm like tail is attached. Instead of using a center-pin like screw at the back of the bait, the Nat Rat comes with a screw eye at the back. To secure the tail, simply push it onto the screw eye. That's how mine came assembled. I thought about adding a toothpick through the tail and screw eye for added security but figured I'd fish it stock first and see how it holds up. To my surprise, the tail survived through a couple of fish, so perhaps my concern is unwarranted.

Bait Detail : A feature and dimension breakdown of the Bigg Nasty Nat Rat as detailed by our Swimbait SkunkWerx division

Price & Availability: The Nat Rat by Bigg Nasty carries a very reasonable price tag of $65. News of drops and availability can be found by following their social media (i.e. Instagram) or by monitoring their website. In fact, at the time of this writing, there was availability right on the company's website, but as those who follow the big bait scene know, availability is very volatile with small, custom, garage based builders.

I fished V1 of this bait... V2 feels better.

Conclusion: The charm in the Nat Rat's appeal, to me is all in those narrow, muppet-character-like eyes. It looks like Gonzo taking on his latest stunt trying to walk on the water only to get destroyed by a hangry bass. Now who wouldn't want to see that happen? The Nat Rat makes a good sound for a resin based rat and it won't cost you a limb or two to acquire. Throw in the more important fact that it moves a good amount of water making it easy for that crazed bass to track down, follow, and hopefully strike, and you have yourself the makings of an excellent bait to begin your journey into the craze that is fishing topwater rats.