Hot n Tot Posted May 12, 2012 Posted May 12, 2012 For those of you that fish them, what are your favorite Shad Raps? Personally I like the #7 shad pattern, but am also having good luck with the #5 shad. Only thing with the #5 is I always seem to catch lots of bluegill as well. The #7 also lands me lots of pike because I primarily fish them in the spring while the weeds are sparse. Also, what is your rod of choice for tossing them? I'm using a Loomis GL3 6'-6" medium (SJR-782). thanks Quote
Super User Marty Posted May 12, 2012 Super User Posted May 12, 2012 I use spinning gear, medium power. I've successfully used sizes 5, 7 and 8, both the Shallow and Deep Runners. Most colors have been silver, firetiger, bluegill and crawfish, but that's arbitrary and I'm positive other colors would be just as good. These are my highest confidence crankbaits. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted May 13, 2012 Global Moderator Posted May 13, 2012 The 5 in crawfish and bluegill colors are a couple of my favorite finesse cranks. My dad loves the 7 in crawfish color, they just seem to catch fish when they won't touch any other crankbaits, good multispecies crank too. I fish mine on either a 6' 8" ML or 6' 10" ML spinning rod with either 6 or 8 lb mono. Quote
Nodda4me Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 Rapala? Shallow Shad Rap color Shad is the only top water I really use right now. It gets quantity but the biggest we've caught would be around a 2.5lb on it. We have probably around 10 of these lures in the tacklebox, half still in the case. Quote
loodkop Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 In our Artlure club the 5 Shad rap in perch color is known as the " spring bokkie" after the South African national rugby team who plays in green and gold jerseys. For a country where rugby is almost a religion it is high praise indeed. To further demonstrate the regard artlure anglers have for this little bait it is also called the "one and only". Quote
Quillback Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 I like the SR 5, bluegill is a great color, as is the Shad color (not sure what the name is for it, white belly blending into a green back), I recommend upgrading the trebs. Quote
Super User Marty Posted May 13, 2012 Super User Posted May 13, 2012 Rapala? Shallow Shad Rap color Shad is the only top water I really use right now. Just curious why you're using a floating-diving crankbait as a topwater. Quote
Nodda4me Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 Just curious why you're using a floating-diving crankbait as a topwater. Because the bass here like to hit top water. I throw it, usually they will hit it instantly, if not, a few twitches and they will hit it.Some days when they aren't biting top water I will just cast and reel to get hits. It is my go-to bait, so I get a lot of hits by top water with it. Just because it's a crankbait doesn't mean fish won't slam it when it hits the water or get a few twitches in. Quote
Hot n Tot Posted May 14, 2012 Author Posted May 14, 2012 Because the bass here like to hit top water. I throw it, usually they will hit it instantly, if not, a few twitches and they will hit it. Some days when they aren't biting top water I will just cast and reel to get hits. It is my go-to bait, so I get a lot of hits by top water with it. Just because it's a crankbait doesn't mean fish won't slam it when it hits the water or get a few twitches in. For years my go to top water bait was an original Rapala floater/diver. I'd just twitch it on the surface and if I reeled in at all, it was very slowly so the it didn't really dive. Quote
Nodda4me Posted May 14, 2012 Posted May 14, 2012 For years my go to top water bait was an original Rapala floater/diver. I'd just twitch it on the surface and if I reeled in at all, it was very slowly so the it didn't really dive. I first was hooked on the Rapala Original Minnow, the brown speckle and purple speckle. My dad bought one of these Shallow Shad Raps and it worked way better and just haven't really used anything else. Quote
Al Wolbach Posted May 14, 2012 Posted May 14, 2012 The Shad Rap may be the best crankbait ever made, at least it gets my vote. I prefer the shad color for clearer water and perch for stained water. I can throw the SSR7 on baitcasting gear but the SR7 I need spinning gear to cast far enough. The size 7 is my favorite size but I ocasionally throw the 8 or 9. When all else fails this is usually my lure of choice..............................Al Quote
mikeeasttn Posted May 14, 2012 Posted May 14, 2012 I also feel that the Shap Rap is the best or one of the best crankbaits ever made. I use the Black and Silver and Shad the most. Have caught more fish on these two than any other crankbait I have. Quote
Super User iceintheveins Posted May 15, 2012 Super User Posted May 15, 2012 I throw #5 and #7 shad raps in the spring or when a subtle crank is needed. Yellow perch, gold, baby bass, and perch are my favorite colors. Both these sizes call for spinning gear IMO, though the #7 works okay on casting gear. I prefer a 7' glass or composite spinning rod and 6 pound test for the #5 and 8 pound for the #7 unless I want extra depth. Quote
Super User Marty Posted May 15, 2012 Super User Posted May 15, 2012 I can throw the SSR7 on baitcasting gear but the SR7 I need spinning gear to cast far enough. That's very interesting. Do you know why? According to the BPS site the SR7 weighs 5/16 and the SSR7 weighs 1/4. Quote
Vinny Chase Posted May 16, 2012 Posted May 16, 2012 My favorite spring time crank is an SR5 in perch. Quote
Al Wolbach Posted May 17, 2012 Posted May 17, 2012 That's very interesting. Do you know why? According to the BPS site the SR7 weighs 5/16 and the SSR7 weighs 1/4. Yes I can explain it Marty, I had my lures stated incorrectly. I should have written SSRS7 not SSR7. Good eye for catching my mistake, thanks. The SSRS7 is 7/16 oz........................Al Quote
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