Strike King Rage Tails are the STUFF!

[hmongkidBee]

Hey guys I just wanna say that it was a great investment in buying these new rage tail lures. At first I thought it was a gimmick but on the few outings that I have used these lures I have never had so many bites. Right now the anaconda and the smokin' rooster are what the bass want. Some of the hits are bone jarring, and some are the usual thump, thump, thump. Anyways I still can't get any bass to commit to the eeliminator. What can I do? I'm fishing it on top and I'm using the white color. Give me some tips on how to increase my confidence in this lure because I truly believe in the fish catching ability of the anaconda and the rooster. Anyways these baits are horrible when it comes to durability. My anaconda keeps losing the tail somehow. What can I do to fix that?

[Big-O]

Hey guys I just wanna say that it was a great investment in buying these new rage tail lures. At first I thought it was a gimmick but on the few outings that I have used these lures I have never had so many bites. Right now the anaconda and the smokin' rooster are what the bass want. Some of the hits are bone jarring, and some are the usual thump, thump, thump. Anyways I still can't get any bass to commit to the eeliminator. What can I do? I'm fishing it on top and I'm using the white color. Give me some tips on how to increase my confidence in this lure because I truly believe in the fish catching ability of the anaconda and the rooster. Anyways these baits are horrible when it comes to durability. My anaconda keeps losing the tail somehow. What can I do to fix that?

The Eeliminator is a C rig MacDaddy  Tip the Tail with Chartreuse Jj's....Darker colors like Watermelon/red or Green Pumpkin and Black/Blue are best for this. When you run the lighter colors as a top water and the slow wobble isn't getting the strikes, move it med-quick retrieve similar to the Rage Toad, if the fish strikes and misses it, just slow to a crawl or kill it completely and let'em come back and load up on it.

If the Annie loses the tip of it's tail, keep fishin it...it still catches'em like that. If it is ripping at the base of the hook, be careful not to whip the end of the rod on your cast as that's why the majority of the tears in that area are caused. The big Tail section is heavier than other worms to create the action and additional vibration.

Glad you're enjoying them and Rage-On with your Bad Self 

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I find rage tail baits to be a little more durable than a lot of the other big named plastics.  I've never had the tail get torn off of an Anaconda.  Like Big O said, you probably need to not whip it on the cast as much.  I use a fairly loose reel so thats probably why I don't tear mine.  I do tear rage shads right at the tail though.  I know that is from whipping it out though.

You may want to try using some JJ's or some Megastrike to help with confidence with them though.  Personally I find that I catch many more fish when I slather them up in attractants.

[DRhodes]

That's it, I'm going to purchase a few bags this weekend as I have heard nothing but greatness out of these. I personally HATE strike king, so thats the reason I havent purchased thus far, but Big-O is just always so helpful and kind, and I found out that the Rage plastics are made in the USA (that's important to me as I only buy American when I can) so I'm ditching the Zoom baits this weekend and giving the Rage a try ^^. Glad you had luck with them, it seems everyone is

[SoFlaBassAddict]

You'll be happy, DRhodes.  Just remember though, they aren't a magic catchall bait.  They've got a ton of action.  Sometimes, that may not always be the best thing though.

[hmongkidBee]

I don't whip the lures out there. I fish from shore and so I only pitch them.  I always check my lure before every cast.  Anyways I lose the tail on the hookset.  The bass hits it bump bump bump and I set the hook.  I miss the fish and after reeling it in the tail section is gone.  How can I repair this?  As for the eeliminator I will try to use a carolina rig, but I'm not a big fan of it.  I slowly reel it on top to get the full action of the tail and body.  I reel it fast sometimes as well to get that loud kind of buzz bait noise and it shocks me how loud this is.  Anyways is it the color that I'm using or what?  My favorite color at this moment is the bama craw.  It works better than green pumpkin or anyother color.  I've caught bass in both ultra ultra clear water and dirty water.

[Captain Obvious]

The Rage Tail Gods will be appeased after the last Rage tail post  ;D

[EastTexasBassin]

The eeliminator has been one of my top producers this year.  I prefer it weightless, with a VERY slow subsurface retrieve.  It's great for fishing around heavy vegitation because you can crawl it over the mats and then slow wobble it through the pockets.  I've done best with the pearl and blue glimmer for this presenation.  Fishing it fast, like a buzzbait, has been good around the outside edges of the grass.

When the fish don't want it up top, I like to fish it on a light weight c-rig.  I use a 1/8 to 1/4oz weight about 18 inches above the line.  A lift and pause retrieve will work, but I've had better success with a very slow and steady retrieve.  Make it swim the same way it does at the surface, just deeper. For this presentation, I've done best with the black/blue color and watermelon w/ red flake.

As far as losing the tail of the annie on the hookset, I've had that happen a bit and the only way to reduce it is to wait longer before setting the hook.  With its bulky size, its easy for bass to grab the tail of the annie and swim a bit before taking down the whole thing.  Use a good scent like JJ's or Megastrike and give 'em a few seconds before you stick 'em.  It will still happen here and there, but I think it will happen less often.

[Shane J]

Sounds like you got yourself some of my personal favorite baits! I do find it a little odd that you're having such an issue with the tails on the Anaconda, though. Usually they hold up just fine, so I can't help but wonder if it might be another species biting the tail off. I have seen that happen (especially pickerel and bluegill). As far as the Eeliminator goes, it is a lot of fun to use as a top water bait, and that works great, especially for smallies for me, but definitely try it on a Carolina rig. Use the 4/0 or 5/0 EWG hooks, and when you move it, sweep your rod sideways, and work it slow, and this thing is killer! My most productive colors have been black/blue flake, and watermelon red, in both the Rooster and Eeliminator, but all the colors have worked in a lot of different conditions, so stick with whatever you like.

[roadwarrior]

Lots of Rage Tail fans around here to answer

your questions, including the designer! However,

the Rage Tail website has everything in written

detail, illustrations, instructions and video. Spend

some time over there, it's very helpful.

8-) 

[tyrius.]

Anyways I lose the tail on the hookset. The bass hits it bump bump bump and I set the hook. I miss the fish and after reeling it in the tail section is gone.

You're setting the hook while the fish only has the tail of the worm in its mouth.  So, you're basically playing tug of war with the fish and the weakest link in that chain is the plastic bait.

If they're only hitting the tail end then you should try and change color/size/speed until they completely commit to eating the bait.

[bassinsergeant]

My personal favorite way to fish the Eel is also the C-Rig and as stated above, you can either work it like a normal c-rig or just a slow retrieve. I have had alot of success both ways. I have also caught fish using a keel weighted hook and just swimming it along. You also need to make sure that you are hooking it right. That can make a big difference in how it runs. Check out ragetail.com and it will show you exactly how to rig all of the baits.

[catchnm]

Full size Craws and Baby Craws, Rage Lizards, Annies, Toads, these are some of my favs. I do best on the craws rigged tex-posed with a 1/8 oz. unpegged bullet weight. In the grass the unpegged weight helps it to preform somewhat like a carolina rig. Shaky head in the sandy/dirt or rock bottoms, any way you rig 'em the craws are awesome. I've even caught fish on the craws buzzing them over submerged vegetation. Lizards are the only baits I have a durability problem with and most of that is due to the bluegills loving those undulating appendages so. But I usually go through 4-6 lizards on a regular day of fishing. This is not true with any of the other Rage Tail baits I've tried, they're good for 8-10 fish apiece usually. I use Eagle Claw razor sharp EWG hooks and don't oversize the hook to the bait. 3/0 for craws, Annies, and lizzies, 1/0 for the Baby Craws, and I use Owner Twist-Lok 4/0 and 5/0 for the toads. I really, really want some Eeliminators, Smokin' Roosters, and Rage Hawgs but I'll have to order online I guess. Academy hasn't gotten them in yet and I don't live close to a Bass Pro Shop. BTW, I forgot to mention that I have Space Monkeys also but haven't had any success on them at all yet. I don't fish them as much as the others though, confidence isn't as high for the Monkeys I guess. Like others have said, find your preference, Rage Tail baits are certainly offered in enough styles to satisfy everyone's own fishing preference.

[hmongkidBee]

yes about the anaconda I do wait for the fish to take it.  Usually after that first 3 bumps and you don't set the hook then the fish is gone, but I guess I'll just have to toy with that.  Can I use like Mend-It to glue the anaconda back together?  As for the eeliminator i guess I'll have to carolina rig it.  I've tried all types of topwater retrieves, slow to a fast burn up top, but no such luck.  I've even swam it subsurface and still no hits.  I guess I'll carolina rig it and see what happens.  Oh by the way I almost caught a carp on the anaconda in bama craw.  The water was very clear and I saw the carp come up and looked at my bait and then smacked it.  I didn't want to set the hook as a carp is not what I'm after, but it boosted my confidence in the rage tail baits.

[shortbasser]

Mend-it works fine for repairing Rage Tail baits. It is the only glue I use. It will NOT glue the bait to your fingers like the super glue products. I have even saved the legs on some crawfish. It stays soft and pliable too. Well worth the cost.

Shortbasser

[Blue Streak]

Wouldn't it be neat if Rage Tail had it's own forum on here like Shimano used too. There are so many posts about these great baits that they deserve their own place.

[iceintheveins]

All I can say is the rage shad outfishes my buzzbaits, and I catch lots of nice bass on buzzbaits.

[Dan:]

Wouldn't it be neat if Rage Tail had it's own forum on here like Shimano used too. There are so many posts about these great baits that they deserve their own place.

or even....an entire forum of their own!

[BriBass]

Hey guys I just wanna say that it was a great investment in buying these new rage tail lures. At first I thought it was a gimmick but on the few outings that I have used these lures I have never had so many bites. Right now the anaconda and the smokin' rooster are what the bass want. Some of the hits are bone jarring, and some are the usual thump, thump, thump. Anyways I still can't get any bass to commit to the eeliminator. What can I do? I'm fishing it on top and I'm using the white color. Give me some tips on how to increase my confidence in this lure because I truly believe in the fish catching ability of the anaconda and the rooster. Anyways these baits are horrible when it comes to durability. My anaconda keeps losing the tail somehow. What can I do to fix that?

Make sure your not setting the hook on nibblin bluegills and panfish... ive found if you really figure outthe difference between a panfish nibbling on the tails (feel like a machine gun "thump thump thump thump thump thump" ) and a bass bite (normally more destinct "thump" or "thump thump" ) then you will learn not to set the hook on panfish that are just holding the end of the tail... which setting the hook on those, tends to tear the bait very easily bc they are holding onto its weakest point 

hope that helps  8-)

[hmongkidBee]

thanks BriBass I don't know what it is but thanks for the info though.