mixel Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 Looking at the Rapala lures and there are a dizzying amount to choose from. Trying to decide which to order. BX DT Ripping Rap Scatter Rap Shad Rap Shadow Rap X-Rap Preferences and/or suggestions? I wish to add some lures for different parts of the water column from 2' to deep. Quote
gripnrip Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 The DT series are excellent baits. I'm not a huge Rapala guy but I do throw the Shad Raps in the spring. I have little experience with the scatter rap line although I know they catch fish. I just can't let go of my SK 1.5 square bills to allow the scatter rap in my arsenal. So a long story short, I'd go with the DT series and Shad raps. Just my 2 cents. 3 Quote
TheRodFather Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 I was wondering this myself, how are the Rapalas broken down, by size, technique, running depth? Is the shad rap a crankbait, is the shadow rap a jerkbait, what the heck is the countdown? It seems very unorganized how the product line is organized. The SK baits follow a much easier naming and sizing convention In my opinion. TRF Quote
gripnrip Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 7 minutes ago, TheRodFather said: I was wondering this myself, how are the Rapalas broken down, by size, technique, running depth? Is the shad rap a crankbait, is the shadow rap a jerkbait, what the heck is the countdown? It seems very unorganized how the product line is organized. The SK baits follow a much easier naming and sizing convention In my opinion. TRF Whole numbers are the sizes. TW should have a per inch and a better description. 1 Quote
mixel Posted January 5, 2017 Author Posted January 5, 2017 4 minutes ago, TheRodFather said: I was wondering this myself, how are the Rapalas broken down, by size, technique, running depth? Is the shad rap a crankbait, is the shadow rap a jerkbait, what the heck is the countdown? It seems very unorganized how the product line is organized. The SK baits follow a much easier naming and sizing convention In my opinion. TRF It is quite confusing to remember which lure does what and I found myself having to jot notes on some paper as I clicked between the lure types as I couldn't remember which descriptions fit which lures after reading about 4 or 5. Then throw in the fact that there are five different types of DT, nine different X-raps, etc. and then throw in all the other lure companies they seem to have bought out, some of which also offer their own line of cranks, jerks, etc. It's lure overload. Quote
TheRodFather Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 4 minutes ago, gripnrip said: Whole numbers are the sizes. TW should have a per inch and a better description. That's kind of the point though isn't it......it takes a third party to organize Rapalas product into a format that makes sense. Lets say you aren't familiar with there product line but are open to buying their products (like me). You go into the tackle store and see racks and racks of little boxes of rapala baits, but there are so many names for things that you don't know if your looking at a slashbait, jerkbait, or do I go for a DT or DT thug, or shad dancer or scatter rap or glass shad rap. I guess I shouldn't complain, as variety is the spice of life, and kudos to Rapala for offering such diverse product, but darn, they sure could have made it easier to make heads or tails of it. Quote
j bab Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 @TheRodFather @mixel Have you been on Rapalas website? Lots of info, sizing charts, and videos on every lure 3 Quote
TheRodFather Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 13 minutes ago, j bab said: @TheRodFather @mixel Have you been on Rapalas website? Lots of info, sizing charts, and videos on every lure Sure, but Rapalas website doesn't help me much when I'm browsing the tackle shop as a noob. They are all pretty confusing for the novice truth be told. Quote
j bab Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 6 minutes ago, TheRodFather said: Sure, but Rapalas website doesn't help me much when I'm browsing the tackle shop as a noob. They are all pretty confusing for the novice truth be told. The box tells you diving depth, besides that just ask the guy in the tackle shop for more info. They can't attach a book to each box explaining their whole line of baits! 3 Quote
TheRodFather Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 18 minutes ago, j bab said: The box tells you diving depth, besides that just ask the guy in the tackle shop for more info. They can't attach a book to each box explaining their whole line of baits! I know, I'm picking nits Quote
Super User Cgolf Posted January 5, 2017 Super User Posted January 5, 2017 The Rippin rap in 1/2 ounce has done well for me as an alternative to the RES. The standard scatter crank (not the shallow or deep) has been a good producer for me as well. The shadow rap has gotten me a lot of bites in the short time I have used it. Like others the DT 10 and DT 16 have been good to me. Quote
Super User scaleface Posted January 5, 2017 Super User Posted January 5, 2017 Fat Raps and Crankin Raps are staples in my tackle box . The only reason Shad Raps are not is I dont like the way they cast . 2 Quote
Super User Cgolf Posted January 5, 2017 Super User Posted January 5, 2017 1 hour ago, scaleface said: Fat Raps and Crankin Raps are staples in my tackle box . The only reason Shad Raps are not is I dont like the way they cast . They cast alright on spinning gear with 10 lb fireline and it forces you to fish them slower which is a good thing. Granted you won't lob them out there a mile, but it's not too bad. 1 Quote
jr231 Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 Countdown is a version of the "original floating minnow". Typically it sinks 1 foot per second and will vary between sizes. The SK 1.5 is a squarebill. And the scatter rap is just a type of lip that can come on a shad rap, crank, original minnow and a few others.. even the tail dancer. So there are plenty of places to use it , and still fish the 1.5. I personally like the scatter rap shad. I caught 2 bass 4-5 lbs on it just this past season. But if the scatter rap disappeared I wouldn't be bothered. Because I've been using them long before and to me it is not really a game changer. They do work though. I've had much success with rapala and it is my favorite company by far . I have more than 150 of their lures. Not ones I bought in bulk for cheap either. Rather ones I hand selected throughout the years. My favorite all time (rapala) lures that I wouldn't ever leave the dock without are 1) shad rap and JOINTED shad rap. (Also get the shallow version of this) 2) fat rap and DT series. Don't slap the DTs on the water to clear the moss.. use your darn hand.. 3) xrap shad ( shallow version of this as well ) gettin hard to find but I have plenty. 4) original floater . Slow retrieve , dead sticked , rip and pause , small twitches . This thing catches fish. Don't be afraid to get the big ones too. I'll talk about these all day. If you want to hear what else I have to say about them. You can PM me. I might even have one or two for you to try out. 2 Quote
Super User soflabasser Posted January 5, 2017 Super User Posted January 5, 2017 Been using Rapalas for well over 2 decades now and they are among my favorite lures to use.Here's a couple Rapalas that are very effective for me; Skitter Walk Original Minnow Jointed Minnow Shad Rap X-Rap 1 Quote
collards Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 I have always caught fish with the minnow. The silver & black one. I have many other rapalas, but the minnow has worked best for me. The scatter rap just doesn't cast right for me. Quote
chattooga_ basser Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 The DT series, shad raps, and countdown series are great. I don't fish a lot of treble hook lures, but I take two of those three in my tackle bag everywhere. I don't know how many posts I've read on here about the shad rap and it's ability to catch fish in cold water . Quote
gripnrip Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 10 hours ago, TheRodFather said: That's kind of the point though isn't it......it takes a third party to organize Rapalas product into a format that makes sense. Lets say you aren't familiar with there product line but are open to buying their products (like me). You go into the tackle store and see racks and racks of little boxes of rapala baits, but there are so many names for things that you don't know if your looking at a slashbait, jerkbait, or do I go for a DT or DT thug, or shad dancer or scatter rap or glass shad rap. I guess I shouldn't complain, as variety is the spice of life, and kudos to Rapala for offering such diverse product, but darn, they sure could have made it easier to make heads or tails of it. I agree. But I was in your shoes once. Young kid. No internet LOL. So I combed through Bass Pro catalogs every chance I got. Read descriptions and talked with friends at school. Read Bassmaster. It became an obsession. One I love dearly. I am a crank fanatic and can tell most of the brands by pic alone. At least from 90's to now anyways and some older models. 2 Quote
edfitzvb Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 I NEVER go fishing without a couple of original floater Rapalas in my box. I like silver/black back, perch, and brown trout finishes the best and size 9 and 11 are best for numbers. They can be twitched on top or retrieved slowly with small twitches to make the lure dance. My number one confidence hard bait in warm weather 1 Quote
gripnrip Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 2 minutes ago, edfitzvb said: I NEVER go fishing without a couple of original floater Rapalas in my box. I like silver/black back, perch, and brown trout finishes the best and size 9 and 11 are best for numbers. They can be twitched on top or retrieved slowly with small twitches to make the lure dance. My number one confidence hard bait in warm weather Crazy good on lakes around me doing this twitching around docks. Quote
primetime Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 Rapala has certain lures that have been in production for decades because they flat out catch fish and they have a few designs that have not been replicated imo. The Rapala lures that I feel are Mandatory, and stand out from the other brands are the following. Original Balsa Rapala Minnow-Floating & Husky Jerk is the suspending version but not balsa. The BX series looks nicer, casts further, but I have not done as well with the BX swimmers, Wakes as I have with the standard Minnow and Flat Rap Minnow. Gold/Black & Silver/Black. Shad rap #7 is a lure that everyone should have, they work all year round, flat sided balsa crank that is not expensive & will always catch something. The Shallow Shad Rap is a great lure when the "Wake Bait" bite is on, people do not fish this lure enough but you can fish it as a topwater or wake, or squarebill and it catches fish when the bite is tough. I only have the shad color which is all I need. I add some chart instead of buying a sexy shad version but either way. The DT series is good, however I feel you can find better crankbaits from other companies but it is all preference, I do use the DT-6 and the DT-10 at times. Only other lure that stands out for me would be the Skitter Pop, makes a bluegill sound better than any popper, add some dressing to the rear treble, fish it on lighter line, but it is a fantastic lure. Skitter Walk Vs. XRAP Walk only means the Xrap has better colors, different hooks, comes with dressed treble but if on sale they are a good walking bait, just not much different imo than all the others. The X-Rap Suspending Jerkbait is a good shallow jerkbait that cuts aggressive & can work really well. You don't need much. Check out this site. BEST PRICES FOR RAPALA & Other top brands. Their bulk soft plastics are all BPS Brand. $4 Rapala's, .99 Bags of Culprits....They always have stuff coming in super cheap from every company at one time or another. http://www.fishingtackleoutlet.net/ I should not be giving out my favorite site...but I just ordered $150 of culprit Incredicraws, Lucky Craft lures, & reel. 2 Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted January 5, 2017 Super User Posted January 5, 2017 12 hours ago, TheRodFather said: I was wondering this myself, how are the Rapalas broken down, by size, technique, running depth? It seems very unorganized how the product line is organized. The SK baits follow a much easier naming and sizing convention In my opinion. TRF Seems pretty simple to me. DT - Dives to crankbait Skitter Pop - Topwater popper Husky Jerk - Jerkbait X-Rap - Slash bait Countdown - Sinking crankbait that sinks 1 foot per second, hence "countdown" Rattlin Rap - A rattle trap style crankbait Quote
jr231 Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 Every bait has a short recommendation on the back of the box on how to fish it. And on top of the box has legnth, weight, and running depth.. I don't think it gets much more simple than that bud. 3 Quote
TheRodFather Posted January 5, 2017 Posted January 5, 2017 Ok, must just be me then From Rapalas website: BX Series (5) Clackin' Series (4) CountDown Lures (4) DT Series (10) Giant Lures (2) Husky Jerk Series (5) Ike's Custom Ink Colors (13) Jigging Series (4) Magnum Lures (4) Original Floating (1) Rippin' Rap Series (2) Scatter Rap Series (10) Shad Rap Series (8) Shadow Rap Series (4) Skitter Series (6) Tail Dancer Series (4) Ultra Light Series (5) X-Rap Series (9) X-Rap Saltwater Series (7) All Other Lures (10) All the numbers beside the lure name are categories within the categories. 10 different types of scatter raps: Scatter rap: Shad Crank Husky jerk tail dancer crank deep countdown shallow minnow shad deep jointed And thats just the "scatter rap series....................dizzying is the perfect description 1 Quote
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