Dizzying amount of Rapala lures

[jr231]

Idk why we would complain about the amount of baits a company has to offer ? I think it's awesome. And like I said.. if you pick up a box (in person ) it will have all the info you need on it. 

[Jeff H]

I like that I can dig through their vast product list to find just what I want.  Gets expensive but just love their stuff!

[WIGuide]

1 hour ago, TheRodFather said:

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

Scatter rap series is large because it's design incorporates a special bill that makes the bait hunt more it's like a big U instead of flat. They have adapted this design for almost their entire line so there are more models marketed under that. X-raps are slash baits, they have a few different profiles and each profile has multiple diving depths. Skitter series are all topwater baits. The DT series is their crankbait line DT stands for Dives To so a DT6 will dive to about 6 feet. They make a bait for pretty much every category of baits out there. With a little understanding of baits in general you'll be able to figure out what you want.

To answer the OP about which Rapala baits are my favorite, I'd have to go with the Shadow Rap series, and the DT series. Shad Raps are legendary for cold water though so it's hard to say no to them. 

[WRB]

Besides the original Rapala minnow series and CD series the balsa Fat Raps FR-5 & FR-7 are my choice for deep divers. Shad raps are good but don't like the way they cast in the wind. Not a fan of the newer brighter color Rapalas.

Tom

 

 

[Fishes in trees]

My advice would be to do your research and then buy the ones you think might work for you.  I know this sounds simplistic, but what do you want?   Do you want someone else to tell you what to buy?   At least in that situation you have someone to blame outside of yourself if the bait doesn't work for you.

 

I would advise you to take reponsibility for your hard bait purchase decisions.

 

Me - I don't use Rapala baits very often because while I do own numerous models, shapes & sizes I find the majority of them a challenge to cast, using bait casting gear.   I think that they make decent lipless cranks, but I think that there are brands out there that work better for me.  (Cordell Spot and Berkley Frenzy, to name a couple)

[Spankey]

I'm a pretty big Rapala fan. For many years.  I throw many. 

 

Its easier for me to tell you what I'm not a fan of with their product lines. * I'm still out to lunch on the Scatter Rap line of baits. * The Live Look that they put to their baits means nothing to me. Their original patters and patterns that are not photo process or whatever you want to call it out fish the Live Look hands down. I can give examples if you need. 

[Scarborough817]

personally i like the shad rap and the clackin' rap but the dt series are always good too 

i also forgot about the x-rap subwalk

[deaknh03]

Out of curiosity I just went on their site...couldnt be easier or more descriptive. Click on a bait, it gives you the length, weight and a description of its action and characteristics. If you are overwhelmed at the store, go onto the site, make a list of the lures that you want, and bring it to the store. Good luck.

[soflabasser]

On 1/4/2017 at 9:36 PM, 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!

 

The Rapala website gives excellent, easy to follow instructions on how to use these lures, but nothing compares to putting in your time on the water with these lures.

[CTBassin860]

Shadow rap,DT fat,husky jerk

[Raul]

23 hours ago, mixel said:

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.

 

 

I have caught more fish with Shad Raps than with all my other cranks put together, thousands of fish since that day in 1985 when I purchased my first SR, btw, my PB ( 6.6 kg ) was caught with a SR that I still carry around.

[TheRodFather]

Oh boy, there are some Rapala fan boys out there.........somehow the discussion went to taking personal responsibility for hard bait purchases, lol.

 

All I'm sayin guys, is that for the novices out there trying to start a collection of baits that cover the different techniques and parts of the water column, Rapala has a vast (some might say dizzying) array of choices.  So it is hard(er) for the novice to narrow down the field and just get a few "jerkbaits", or a couple "squarebills".

 

I love buying tackle, but I have learned (from BR) that less baits a lot of times equals more, so I try to K.I.S.S.  Heck, the OCD in me is ticked that I can't get the same exact colors in lipless cranks as I have in squarebills from SK.  If ever there was a reason for the phrase:  "Some lures are for catching fish, others for catching fishermen", Rapalas lineup comes to mind.  

Of course that's not to say some of their lures wont catch fish, but one starts to wonder just how many different types of black shoes a woman really needs to own.......

 

[IndianaFinesse]

This thread went down hill fast.

[Airman4754]

On 1/4/2017 at 6:17 PM, mixel said:

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.

 

 

I went to Finland this year for a few weeks and I was really excited because I thought they would have a bunch of crank baits that we don't have here in the states and the packaging would be in Finnish, etc.

 

Nope, same d**n lures we have in the states, same packaging, and about 40% more expensive. I was really bumbed out, but I got some cool Abu Garcia lures.

[Cgolf]

22 minutes ago, TheRodFather said:

Oh boy, there are some Rapala fan boys out there.........somehow the discussion went to taking personal responsibility for hard bait purchases, lol.

 

All I'm sayin guys, is that for the novices out there trying to start a collection of baits that cover the different techniques and parts of the water column, Rapala has a vast (some might say dizzying) array of choices.  So it is hard(er) for the novice to narrow down the field and just get a few "jerkbaits", or a couple "squarebills".

 

I love buying tackle, but I have learned (from BR) that less baits a lot of times equals more, so I try to K.I.S.S.  Heck, the OCD in me is ticked that I can't get the same exact colors in lipless cranks as I have in squarebills from SK.  If ever there was a reason for the phrase:  "Some lures are for catching fish, others for catching fishermen", Rapalas lineup comes to mind.  

Of course that's not to say some of their lures wont catch fish, but one starts to wonder just how many different types of black shoes a woman really needs to own.......

 

 

I do remember a time when lure companies put info on the back that showed you how to fish the bait. Back when I didn't have a clue that was useful info. Don't know of any baits that do that now. 

[TheRodFather]

My apologies if I'm being argumentative, not intending to stir up trouble.  I haven't had a fish on in over a month, so I think I'm getting irritable  

[Cgolf]

4 minutes ago, Mosster47 said:

 

I went to Finland this year for a few weeks and I was really excited because I thought they would have a bunch of crank baits that we don't have here in the states and the packaging would be in Finnish, etc.

 

Nope, same d**n lures we have in the states, same packaging, and about 40% more expensive. I was really bumbed out, but I got some cool Abu Garcia lures.

 

Did they have that weedless shad thing? Still can't  figure out if I would buy that thing or not if they brought it over here. Don't like the idea of having a non changeable hook on a crank. 

[IndianaFinesse]

3 minutes ago, cgolf said:

 

I do remember a time when lure companies put info on the back that showed you how to fish the bait. Back when I didn't have a clue that was useful info. Don't know of any baits that do that now. 

A lot of my Johnson stuff and some of my rapalas still list a basic retrieve or two.

 Aside from the shad rap, x rap, sub walk, original floating minnow, and the jigging rap I don't use much for rapala's.  Most of the new stuff they're putting out now are all gimmicks or just don't have anything special about them.  I bet they're still going to have "new deadly action coming to rapala" in a month or so for the classic.  Rapala has way over hyped new releases in recent years.

[Airman4754]

10 minutes ago, cgolf said:

 

Did they have that weedless shad thing? Still can't  figure out if I would buy that thing or not if they brought it over here. Don't like the idea of having a non changeable hook on a crank. 

 

I got four crank like baits that have a top hook and a single wire hook guard like on a Johnson spoon. It just seemed like too good of an idea not to try. I can't remember if they were Rapala or not.

[Raul]

42 minutes ago, TheRodFather said:

Oh boy, there are some Rapala fan boys out there.........somehow the discussion went to taking personal responsibility for hard bait purchases, lol.

 

All I'm sayin guys, is that for the novices out there trying to start a collection of baits that cover the different techniques and parts of the water column, Rapala has a vast (some might say dizzying) array of choices.  So it is hard(er) for the novice to narrow down the field and just get a few "jerkbaits", or a couple "squarebills".

 

I love buying tackle, but I have learned (from BR) that less baits a lot of times equals more, so I try to K.I.S.S.  Heck, the OCD in me is ticked that I can't get the same exact colors in lipless cranks as I have in squarebills from SK.  If ever there was a reason for the phrase:  "Some lures are for catching fish, others for catching fishermen", Rapalas lineup comes to mind.  

Of course that's not to say some of their lures wont catch fish, but one starts to wonder just how many different types of black shoes a woman really needs to own.......

 

 

KISS, can't be more simple than ......... SHAD RAP, there you go.

[Airman4754]

8 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

A lot of my Johnson stuff and some of my rapalas still list a basic retrieve or two.

 Aside from the shad rap, x rap, sub walk, original floating minnow, and the jigging rap I don't use much for rapala's.  Most of the new stuff they're putting out now are all gimmicks or just don't have anything special about them.  I bet they're still going to have "new deadly action coming to rapala" in a month or so for the classic.  Rapala has way over hyped new releases in recent years.

 

I thought it was interesting that between all the local fisherman, the two bait shop owners, and the guide we went out with all recommended plug style baits and not one was ever a Rapala. Judging by the packaging Rapala is solely made to hook Americans.

[IndianaFinesse]

10 minutes ago, Mosster47 said:

 

I thought it was interesting that between all the local fisherman, the two bait shop owners, and the guide we went out with all recommended plug style baits and not one was ever a Rapala. Judging by the packaging Rapala is solely made to hook Americans.

Yep, aside from the shad rap (and none of that scatter rap junk either) I don't use any of their crankbaits.  Tried a few others in rapala's line up, but other brands always have worked better for me.

[Airman4754]

4 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

Yep, aside from the shad rap (and none of that scatter rap junk either) I don't use any of their crankbaits.  Tried a few others in rapala's line up, but other brands always have worked better for me.

 

Agreed. I have an army of Shad Raps. I have ones my dad and grandpa left me that are as old as I can remember. If its summer or winter and you don't have a Shad Rap on the deck you're wrong as far as I'm concerned. 

 

Rip fishing one is super effective pre and post spawn by my goodness will it wear you out.

[Cgolf]

50 minutes ago, Mosster47 said:

 

I got four crank like baits that have a top hook and a single wire hook guard like on a Johnson spoon. It just seemed like too good of an idea not to try. I can't remember if they were Rapala or not.

 

Yup that is the one, it has a boot tail as well? Really curious on how it works for you. 

1 hour ago, IndianaFinesse said:

A lot of my Johnson stuff and some of my rapalas still list a basic retrieve or two.

 Aside from the shad rap, x rap, sub walk, original floating minnow, and the jigging rap I don't use much for rapala's.  Most of the new stuff they're putting out now are all gimmicks or just don't have anything special about them.  I bet they're still going to have "new deadly action coming to rapala" in a month or so for the classic.  Rapala has way over hyped new releases in recent years.

 

Over hyped or not, the shadow raps got me fish and big musky bites, they bit me off, but were close enough to see it happen. Scatter raps have been really good to me, River and lake. Rippin rap is a good bait, but need to work with it some more to figure out the optimal triggering retrieve, RES got me more fish the week I fished both. Oddly I do better with their new stuff than there old stuff. 

[mixel]

1 hour ago, Mosster47 said:

 

I went to Finland this year for a few weeks and I was really excited because I thought they would have a bunch of crank baits that we don't have here in the states and the packaging would be in Finnish, etc.

 

Nope, same d**n lures we have in the states, same packaging, and about 40% more expensive. I was really bumbed out, but I got some cool Abu Garcia lures.

 

LOL that's classic.