Rapala X-Rap

[Brendan Duffy]

How do you guys like these? I have heard that they rise slowly when they suspend, should i spend the extra money for the lucky craft?

[hmongkidBee]

no don't spend money on lucky craft.  Those rapala x-raps are very good for the money.  I've always have to bring a couple with me in case.  About the lure going up when it suspends, I don't think so.  Never happens to me.  Anyways stick with these x-raps.  You won't be disappointed.

[bowfish12]

X-raps are good baits, I don't know about the rising part, never noticed it.

[Brendan Duffy]

Great, thanks guys, thats what i like to hear!

[Vinny Chase]

How do you guys like these? I have heard that they rise slowly when they suspend, should i spend the extra money for the lucky craft?

Personally i have never had much luck with them, but ill give them another shot this year

[phisher_d]

They are a good bait.  You probably won't get the same quality assurance that you will with lucky craft, but I haven't had any major problems with the 7-8 that I've bought.  If you get a defective one you should be able to return it for a replacement, just keep the packaging.

There have been days after the water warms up where I have found that they outproduce LCs...

[J Francho]

They're both proven catchers.

[Jake.]

Some days the Pointer is better, and some days the X-Rap is better. I seem to have more success with the Pointer, but that doesn't mean I will only carry Pointers. You're limiting yourself if you don't have both available.

[RyneB]

Get some, you wont be dissapointed. I fish a small river for smallies with X-Raps and they have never let me down. The XR-6 in clown color is my "go to" when all else fails.

[Paul Roberts]

Very good plug. I like the X-Rap for more aggressive darting retrieves. It is also the most weedless jerkbait I've used; a snap of the rod and it's clean! 8-)

The rising thing: They can vary from out of the box. I check all suspenders in a tub of cold water (I have a well), as buoyancy is affected by temp. If I get a riser I add weight: split rings, trebles, or stick on lead tape, depending on severity.

For sinkers there are fewer options. Lighter wire hooks and lighter split rings can help for slow sinkers, as well as marking it and fishing it on braid or mono. I did once return a Husky to Cabela's and they replaced it and paid the shipping too!

[Boogey Man]

I do well on Rapalas and Rogues (floating and suspending) but I've only caught a few fish on the X-Raps. Is there any trick to these vs. other jerkbaits? They look great and I know other people have good luck with them. I've tried similar colors as the other jerkbaits I use and have fished them in the same locations but no luck.

[Ineedanewscreenname20170204]

I fish the XRap fairly quickly so have never noticed if they truly suspend or not - it's certainly close.  Have caught many quality fish.  Haven't fished pointers yet although i picked up a couple for this year.

[Paul Roberts]

I do well on Rapalas and Rogues (floating and suspending) but I've only caught a few fish on the X-Raps. Is there any trick to these vs. other jerkbaits? They look great and I know other people have good luck with them. I've tried similar colors as the other jerkbaits I use and have fished them in the same locations but no luck.

I fish it really aggressively, with lots of short rips and tugs that cause it to accelerate, dart, and then pause. Two things seem to trigger bites with X-Raps for me: Short swims/rips, or a sharp tug and then give slack and the X-Rap will dart to one side with a great flash. This triggers really well.

The X-Rap isn't as effective as some others in really cold water, for me, (<50) when rolling flashes and long pauses work better.

[Hooligan]

Xrap is much more an aggressive bait than the LC.  I tend to really be ripping Xraps, almost constant motion, no deadsticking there.  In summer, Xraps are one of the first baits I'll throw.

[J Francho]

For both baits, its all about the pause....

[Paul Roberts]

For both baits, its all about the pause....

That's very true, and what makes jerks so special. They attract and trigger really well, yet the pause is what makes them commit. They know they can catch it.

[J Francho]

My friend Chad Hoover (google him, interesting guy) calls them "pause baits."

[SirSnookalot]

I get more strikes on the pause than any other time, soft jerkbaits too.

[Crestliner2008]

From the original question, it appears that you are having an "issue" with the suspending jerkbaits rising rather than remaining suspended. If this is correct - and I think it is - remember one thing. It all depends on the water temperature.

No suspending type jerkbait can suspend exactly the same way in all water temps. Just an impossible engineering task. The colder the water, the better a bait's chances of suspending - or sinking! As the water warms, these baits tend to rise. This, of course, is based on their initial design. Every brand is different.

This is why I carry a small spool of fine lead solder with me. I wrap a small amount around the belly hook if the lure rises too much. Can't do anything about sinking, unless you remove one of the hooks!

[bear7625]

I would never be on the water without them. You can change your retrieve depending on water temp. They are great early spring using slower retrieve and longer pause.

Yes, The guys are right, the pause is the killer!

[Paul Roberts]

My friend Chad Hoover (google him, interesting guy) calls them "pause baits."

Yup, Chad's a fisherman. Just recently perused his book. Lotsa neat bait modification tricks in it.

[RandySBreth]

From the original question, it appears that you are having an "issue" with the suspending jerkbaits rising rather than remaining suspended. If this is correct - and I think it is - remember one thing. It all depends on the water temperature.

No suspending type jerkbait can suspend exactly the same way in all water temps. Just an impossible engineering task. The colder the water, the better a bait's chances of suspending - or sinking! As the water warms, these baits tend to rise. This, of course, is based on their initial design. Every brand is different.

This is why I carry a small spool of fine lead solder with me. I wrap a small amount around the belly hook if the lure rises too much. Can't do anything about sinking, unless you remove one of the hooks!

This is the advice you are really looking for. ALL suspending baits require "tuning" if you want perfect suspension - even Lucky Craft.

Water density varies according to temperature, so a lure that suspends perfectly at 50 degrees may sink in 60 degree water, and float up if it's 40 degrees.

That's why God created lead. ;D

[Red Bear]

ive also noticed them rising, but its not at a rapid pace. i didnt use them till last year and from my experience the bass i caught on them really slammed the xrap, especially had good luck with the rainbow trout color. but what i have a problem with is that the eyes seem to easily fall out, though i still caught fish without the eyes, and the i had the lips break off a couple. pond fish seemed to really attack it aggressively and thats what i attribute the damages to. but still i cant see spending too much in a bait that seems to be easily destroyed to me. i should check into the lucky crafts

[Beastie Bass]

I fish the x-raps when the water is above 60 with a more rapid erratic retrieve. The LC's when the water is colder with longer pauses. I also throw the SK wild shiner and a few Rogues. The important thing to remember is do not limit yourself to just one of these. THEY WILL ALL CATCH FISH, just under different conditions.

[BassThumb]

I use X-Raps when I'm looking for the fastest, most aggressive, erratic jerkbait in my box.

FWIW, they make a great aggressive fall walleye jerkbait, too.  Caught by PB on a #8 Clown in 2' of water, ripping it hard off of riprap.