Rapala Original Floating Minnow Customization - IMPORTANT

[bocraw]

In this month's Bassmaster Magazine , Bernie Shultz discusses a "cult like" following of people who modify the Rapala Original Floating Minnow.  The Floating Minnow has always been my favorite lure.  I would love to learn how to modify them so they suspend, slowly sink, and zig zag more erratically in the case of the f11 and f13.  Does anyone know anyone who is zealous about modifying these baits?  I need to find a mentor to teach me...

[.dsaavedra.]

i know if you tie a tight knot and slide it down to the bottom of the line tie the lure will have a more exaggerated wobble.

you can also use suspen-dots or strips to change the buoyancy.

[BIG M]

I cut the lips off and put a weight on the tail to make a cool jumpin minnow.   No way to really drill into that bait unless you go above the thru wire.   That would change the action because you would change the center of gravity.   I may have to give that one a try.

[bocraw]

BIG M- That is a great idea.  I know people who still fish the old boy howdys without the propellers.  What kind of weight to you put on the tail?

[BIG M]

I use lead tape for swing weighting golf clubs and also over sized hooks can help add some weight.    You want just enough weight to get the head of bait sitting at a slightly upward angle.

[RandySBreth]

I used to drill them out and add lead to make them suspend way back in the dark ages before factory made suspending jerkbaits were available. But not anymore. I know In-Fisherman's Doug Stange likes to bend the line tie of the original floater and Husky Jerk down a tiny bit with pliers to get more "wobble" out of the bait, but I just use something that already has more "wobble". Lots of lure choices out there these days...

[bilgerat]

I've got a couple of them with the lips broken off. I saved them to use kind of like skinny 'walk the dog' baits but have not got around to it yet. Has anyone else done this ?

[Paul Roberts]

I've made suspenders out of a number of plastic baits, and have wanted to do the floating Raps, but haven't attempted it -yet.

Balsa is so buoyant, I don't think external weighting would do the trick -in any elegant way. I'm guessing here. Haven't played with it.

The thru-wire is an issue for drilling. But it was done once upon a time, as RandySB says. You'll need to find the balance point and put some weight there. Then probably add external weight: heavier hooks, heavier split rings, stick on lead tape, solder/lead wire wrapped on the hooks.

Play with it and let us know.

[RandySBreth]

I would drill out a spot a little closer to the middle hook hanger between the front and middle hook hanger of the F11 or F13, then use either split shot or just trim chunks of lead I had on hand (I cast a lot of revolver bullets) until I could get it to slowly float up in very cold water in the sink, then epoxy the lead in place, and use spray paint to re-do the finish over the epoxy, then re-do the clear coat. I'd "tune" the lure as water conditions needed with lead wire or stick on weights to get a perfect "suspend". I still do that with suspending lures today, but I don't have to go through the pain in the ... process of making them in the first place. How I found the right spot to drill was simply by taking an F11 and F13 Rapala and cut them apart to find exactly where the wire ran through the body.

I'm glad we have out of the box ready to run lures today. ;D