I have had a lot of success with the strike king KVD 2.5 square bill with a rattle, but now I can only find them in the silent version... has anyone seen a big difference in the amount of strikes between using a silent crank bait vs one with a rattle? I have personally seen a decline in the amount of bites I am getting, but I am not sure that is not due to lack of confidence in the silent one.

I don't like the silent ones either.

If you're fishing a squarebill correctly (smashing into/deflecting off of) cover, you don't need rattles. That bait moves enough water and causes enough commotion the fish will find it. It's a reaction strike, not a call them to the bait with rattles strike.

I like them both. Depends on the conditions.

+ 1,000%

If you aren't catching bass it has nothing to do with "rattles".

Somewhat correct. But that rattle can add an additional enticing reaction from the fish when that bait does deflect.

There's no doubt there are times where one may be better than the other. But for most situations, I want the rattle too. YMMV.

I always thought that rattles mattered the most but lately I've had more luck with the "non-rattling" versions of the SK lures. Maybe like mentioned above its cus I'm making a more concerted effort to "hit" the cover/structure but I kinda think the non-rattling version "sneaks up" on a fish more and they hit from reflex. I only say this as a few times I'll be quite a few feet past the tree and one hits.

Bass Pro carries the rattle version. It might be an exclusive. I have had success with the Academy H20 version with rattles. That is my primary squarebill. Their 2.5 version works well too.

I think that for the most part it is a confidence thing. I prefer the rattles and I find that I fish with more confidence. When I only have a silent one I am thinking that they aren't going to bite this the entire time I am fishing and know that it is effecting my presentation.

I fish both but I prefer silent most of the time. I think the majority of people fish with rattling baits so I do something different. I feel like silent really shines in clear water and lakes with heavy pressure, the rattles may be better in stained water. Just my observations...

In muddy or heavily stained water I prefer the rattle. Clearer water I usually toss with no rattle.

Heard a lot of people say they like the No Rattles version for heavy pressured lakes (Fork etc...) or fish that get tossed at a lot.

Yes I agree. Good answer.

I pick my rattle choice of water clarity, clear I will go straight silent

ya I feel like I get the same amount of strikes with either on most lakes as long as I'm working it right (deflecting off cover,etc.) however, I have fished some muddy lakes where I have noticed a difference, with having more strikes with a rattle. 95% of my bites on them are straight reaction from hitting cover so I dont think it matters on most lakes. I could see how clear lakes and/or heavy pressured lakes may favor no rattle though.