Rapala Shad Rap

[roadwarrior]

Adding this lure to the collection and looking for

your recommended size.  SR08, SR09 or is there

a reason you use both?

Thanks.

-Kent

8-)

[mrbassky]

#7 is a good finesse crankbait

#8 is the best all around

#9 is for the deeper stuff

Thats how it works for me anyways

[Thad]

I like a #7. I drill two holes between the front hook hanger and the bill and put two small split shot weights in them. It suspends perfectly and makes it a lot easier to throw on baitcasting gear.

I like them in all sizes though.

[.ghoti.]

I've probably caught more fish on Shad Raps than all other cranks combined. Strong statement, I know, but I'll stand behind it.

I have mostly 8's and 9's, with a few 5's and 7's.

Don't overlook the Shallow Shad Rap. It's great bait, in any size.

Do overlook the plastic version. It just doesn't have it, in my experience. Plus the plastic version has rattles.

The original balsa Shad Rap is one of the ultimate stealth cranks, and excels in clearer water.

[SDoolittle]

I've probably caught more fish on Shad Raps than all other cranks combined.

Ditto. My favorite is the SR7.

[njbasser]

My dad and I use the size 7 shallow model in the shad pattern and do pretty well. It's one of my dad's favorite baits.

[Raul]

Adding this lure to the collection and looking for

your recommended size. SR08, SR09 or is there

a reason you use both?

Thanks.

-Kent

8-)

The depth Kent, the 9 size dives a couple of feet deeper than the size 8.

Some tips on Shad Raps:

Wooden ( Shad Rap & Shallow Shad Rap ) and plastic ( Shad Rap RS, Glass Shad Rap & Jointed Shad Rap ) are not the same, the wobble is different ( wider wobble on the plastic baits ) and plastic baits suspend, balsa baits are floaters.

If you want a balsa bait to suspend you can do it by adding weight, one method could be the one described by Thad, the other method is by changing the hooks for the next larger size.

Balsa baits prefer lighter line ( 8-10  lbs test ), some of the action is killed when using larger line, plastic baits don 't care what line you use.

[burleytog]

5 and 7

[iceintheveins]

I use the #5 and #7 and bass love them. Those sizes are best for spinning tackle though.

[florida strain]

I, have the 5  and 7 balsa ones, in the black silver foil,perch,and shad colors i have done the best with the 5 in perch color for l.m... but the ones i catch are on the small side.

[David Rangel]

I prefer the 9, for the reason that you can cast a little bit longer and is easy to control the deep with the retrieving speed!!!.......Shad color is best for me !

Good Luck

[RandySBreth]

I liked the #7 the best until the new XRap Shad came out. It's plastic, but casts further and works fantastic.

I like that "Purpledescent" color a lot for clear water.

[burleytog]

I like liked the #7 the best until the new XRap Shad came out. It's plastic, but casts further and works fantastic.

I like that "Purpledescent" color a lot for clear water.

The only problem with that one is that they don't make it in the one color I use.   >

[Hook Set]

Dont' forget to add a couple jointed shad raps also.

[Sam]

I use the #5's and #7's Shad Raps.

I have two glass Shad Raps in my collection.

I plan to have every color of Shad Rap in the very near future.

Good baits and I have done well with them. 

[mrbassky]

Ditto on the jointed shad raps. Great cold water and murky water bait you get strong vibration at slow speeds with the joined ones.

[Primus]

I use the #5 and #7 and bass love them. Those sizes are best for spinning tackle though.

Same for me, I use them as a finnesse crank. Great Bait.

[247bassin]

Ok...I am highjacking another thread with another stupid question...

Here goes...I bought several of these when they were 20% off at Dicks.  I don't know the numbers, but I know that most are suspending baits.  I do have a couple of the glass raps that appear to be crankbaits.  My question is this, I thought that the Shad Wrap was a jerkbait/slashbait?  Can you use Shad Rap as a crankbait?  What I mean is, can you use it with success by casting it out, reeling it in with a few jerks of the rod or speeding or slowering the retrieve? 

Thanks.  I am fishing a tournament this weekend and my boater said that we would be throwing a lot of crankbaits and I was wondering if the Shad Rap would qualify.  Thanks...and sorry for highjacking the thread...

[BassThumb]

Do overlook the plastic version. It just doesn't have it, in my experience. Plus the plastic version has rattles.

Very disappointed with these plastic ones. The balsa #9 Shad Rap is still my favorite crank for cooler water.

[cwb60]

This is probably a dumb question, but how do you tell when it is still in the package, if it is a balsa or plastic one?

[Gangley]

if it says "SR-(Any Number)" then it is the balsa.  The plastics have SRRS for Rattling & Suspending or SRSH for SHallow.  It may have changed recently, but I believe if it is anything other than simply SR, then it is plastic.  Somebody correct me if I am wrong