Wow...really disappointed in the Rage Swimmer

[Smokinal]

 

I went out yesterday for the first time this year; stung some lips; great day on the jerbait. But I like to throw a swimbait as well and have been using the Keitech with good success. Naturally, as the Rage lover that I am, I couldn't wait to get my hands on some swimmers; which I did and I did throw yesterday too. I threw them on my usual VMC hook found here:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Ike_Approved_Heavy_Duty_Weighted_Swimbait_Hooks_4pk/descpage-VMCHWSB.html?gclid=CL3_5LmtvtMCFdtXDQodZmALjQ

 

I used the same hook I always do, same rod, line, reel and same boots I always wear in the spring and I couldn't get the tail to wag unless I was really burning it, which I didn't want to do. Now the water was only 42 which I thought may have hardened up the bait but I always throw a Keitech in the same water and it swims nice at any speed.

Am I doing something wrong? I hate to bash the line I love so much but I'm not one to flock with the sheep if I didn't see it that way.

 

 

[Big Swimbait]

I have not had that issue. One of the things that I really like about the Rage Swimmer is it's movement at slow retrieve speeds.

[ib_of_the_damned]

I have both the Keitechs and Rage Swimmers, I have found a difference in the action of the Rage as compared to the Keitechs. The tail doesn't want to move as much at slower speeds like the Keitech does (I throw them weightless or Chikubi Rigged). I also wanted to really like the Rage Swimmers but they pale in comparison to the Keitechs. I will gladly spend the extra on Keitech from here on out. I'm just glad I only bought one pack of Rage Swimmers... 

[jr231]

That rage bug tho 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

On 4/24/2017 at 5:52 PM, Smokinal said:

 

I went out yesterday for the first time this year; stung some lips; great day on the jerbait. But I like to throw a swimbait as well and have been using the Keitech with good success. Naturally, as the Rage lover that I am, I couldn't wait to get my hands on some swimmers; which I did and I did throw yesterday too. I threw them on my usual VMC hook found here:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Ike_Approved_Heavy_Duty_Weighted_Swimbait_Hooks_4pk/descpage-VMCHWSB.html?gclid=CL3_5LmtvtMCFdtXDQodZmALjQ

 

I used the same hook I always do, same rod, line, reel and same boots I always wear in the spring and I couldn't get the tail to wag unless I was really burning it, which I didn't want to do. Now the water was only 42 which I thought may have hardened up the bait but I always throw a Keitech in the same water and it swims nice at any speed.

Am I doing something wrong? I hate to bash the line I love so much but I'm not one to flock with the sheep if I didn't see it that way.

 

 

 

On 4/24/2017 at 6:48 PM, ib_of_the_damned said:

I have both the Keitechs and Rage Swimmers, I have found a difference in the action of the Rage as compared to the Keitechs. The tail doesn't want to move as much at slower speeds like the Keitech does (I throw them weightless or Chikubi Rigged). I also wanted to really like the Rage Swimmers but they pale in comparison to the Keitechs. I will gladly spend the extra on Keitech from here on out. I'm just glad I only bought one pack of Rage Swimmers... 

 

Ive noticed the same with 3.75 rage swimmer just doesnt have the wiggle of the Keitech at slow speed. I reel slowly even with a 5.8:1 23.6ipt SV105. I fish a very clear sandy bottom portion of lake and let the lure run along just skimming the bottom I can see the lack of tail movement and really notice less fish caught in comparision. On both I mostly use 1/4oz jighead and 16# snipet fc.

[Kidflex]

Have you tried the rage swimmer with different weights? Kinda like using swimbaits on swim jigs. Some sizes act differently on different weights. The keel weight might not be moving in harmony with the swimbaits tail.

 

Closest paddletail to keitechs ive found are the ecopro swing shad. Amazing movement. 

[Jar11591]

I was having the same issue when using them as a jig trailer. The tail wouldn't paddle unless reeled in fairly quickly. I've still caught some fish on them though. I prefer Kietechs or the YCB heart-tale swimbaits for jig trailers now. 

[Smokinal]

Glad to see I'm not the only one. I will definitely try them again and on a different rig to see if that changes anything. If not, I'll contact that cat in the swap/sell section who we all thought was crazy for wanting to trade 1 pack of keitechs for 2-3 packs of Swimmers...

 

[Megastink]

2 hours ago, Smokinal said:

Glad to see I'm not the only one. I will definitely try them again and on a different rig to see if that changes anything. If not, I'll contact that cat in the swap/sell section who we all thought was crazy for wanting to trade 1 pack of keitechs for 2-3 packs of Swimmers...

 

Hey, that's me you're talking about. My offer stands... maybe I know something you don't? ??

[George Edward Collins Jr.]

11 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

That rage bug tho 

Yes indeed! 

[jr231]

I've caught fish on the rage swimmers... I don't think they are junk... But not exactly the extreme movement we've all come to expect from the rage line... I see why some are frustrated.. 

[Fishin' Fool]

On 4/24/2017 at 5:52 PM, Smokinal said:

 

I went out yesterday for the first time this year; stung some lips; great day on the jerbait. But I like to throw a swimbait as well and have been using the Keitech with good success. Naturally, as the Rage lover that I am, I couldn't wait to get my hands on some swimmers; which I did and I did throw yesterday too. I threw them on my usual VMC hook found here:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Ike_Approved_Heavy_Duty_Weighted_Swimbait_Hooks_4pk/descpage-VMCHWSB.html?gclid=CL3_5LmtvtMCFdtXDQodZmALjQ

 

I used the same hook I always do, same rod, line, reel and same boots I always wear in the spring and I couldn't get the tail to wag unless I was really burning it, which I didn't want to do. Now the water was only 42 which I thought may have hardened up the bait but I always throw a Keitech in the same water and it swims nice at any speed.

Am I doing something wrong? I hate to bash the line I love so much but I'm not one to flock with the sheep if I didn't see it that way.

 

 

 

Are you doing something wrong? Yes. 42 degree water temps, tie on a Silver buddy or Heddon or similar blade bait. You're welcome

[roadwarrior]

Try a heavier weighted hook or Buckeye J-Will Swim Jig Head.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Buckeye-Lures-J-Will-Swimbait-Head/1364103.uts?productVariantId=3179267&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03466837&rid=20&gclid=CjwKEAjw5_vHBRCBtt2NqqCDjiESJABD5rCJ5pvog7h5uhIrc1c54CJyTIH9OHScP5-foBpYl6aUgxoCbnfw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

I had the opportunity to talk with and watch Big O testing the Rage Swimmer prototype.

The lures main attribute is having MORE action at slower retrieve speed.  I think you

have done something wrong with your rigging and my best guess is the the weight is too

light. Also, make sure the Swimmer is straight and the paddle tail is pointing down.

 

[Mike L]

2 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Try a heavier weighted hook or Buckeye J-Will Swim Jig Head.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Buckeye-Lures-J-Will-Swimbait-Head/1364103.uts?productVariantId=3179267&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03466837&rid=20&gclid=CjwKEAjw5_vHBRCBtt2NqqCDjiESJABD5rCJ5pvog7h5uhIrc1c54CJyTIH9OHScP5-foBpYl6aUgxoCbnfw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

I had the opportunity to talk with and watch Big O testing the Rage Swimmer prototype.

The lures main attribute is having MORE action at slower retrieve speed.  I think you

have done something wrong with your rigging and my best guess is the the weight is too

light. Also, make sure the Swimmer is straight and the paddle tail is pointing down.

 

 

This was my first thought also.

I throw Skinny Dipper's or Big EZ's more than any other swim bait and know for a fact that if I mess up and don't rig them perfectly straight,  or use a lighter weight (keel) they won't move much. 

 

The Swimmers and Keitech are much softer than either of them and should be shaking much more

 

 

 

Mike

[MassYak85]

17 hours ago, Kidflex said:

Have you tried the rage swimmer with different weights? Kinda like using swimbaits on swim jigs. Some sizes act differently on different weights. The keel weight might not be moving in harmony with the swimbaits tail.

 

Closest paddletail to keitechs ive found are the ecopro swing shad. Amazing movement. 

x2 

 

The eco pro's are the only other ones I've used that I would compare to the keitech's. 

[Smokinal]

I appreciate the tips but have to reiterate that I was using the same exact setup, rigged the same exact way as I always have, and the swim was different for me. I'll definitely try them again but my first impression isn't good. I will report back with how my 2nd attempt goes.

[Cgolf]

7 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Try a heavier weighted hook or Buckeye J-Will Swim Jig Head.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Buckeye-Lures-J-Will-Swimbait-Head/1364103.uts?productVariantId=3179267&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03466837&rid=20&gclid=CjwKEAjw5_vHBRCBtt2NqqCDjiESJABD5rCJ5pvog7h5uhIrc1c54CJyTIH9OHScP5-foBpYl6aUgxoCbnfw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

I had the opportunity to talk with and watch Big O testing the Rage Swimmer prototype.

The lures main attribute is having MORE action at slower retrieve speed.  I think you

have done something wrong with your rigging and my best guess is the the weight is too

light. Also, make sure the Swimmer is straight and the paddle tail is pointing down.

 

 

So if fishing waters where a light head is needed, than I assume that this would not be the bait of choice. Some of the waters I fish anything heavier than 1/8 of an ounce will not make it back to me, snagged up, and even lighter baits will be lost eventually as well.

[Stingray23]

The Rage swimmer has been killer for me so far. I've been crushing smallies with it.

[fishwizzard]

I actually find them to be pretty different lures. 

 

Yea, I do think the Kietechs have a more subtle wiggle when rigged weightless/retrieved slowly, the RS is more of a rolling action and it needs a bit of weight and speed to really move well.  But, the RS is wildly more durable then then FI, like I don't think I can think of more than one or two times I have had one become too ripped to use, even one with a torn nose can live again as a trailer.  The Kietechs are as fragile as a senko and it's not rare to burn through an entire pack in an afternoon.  

 

So I use them for different things, the Kietechs for when I want to something weighless to run in slow, clear, and shallow water.  If I need then deeper I will either add a few nailweights or a very lightly weighted hook.  The Rage Swimmers get the nod as trailers for jigs and chatterbaits, rigged with a weighted swimbait hook to run through weeds/pads and use a faster search bait.  They also work well t-tigged with a heavy weight and pitched into laydowns, they resist getting snagged very well and hold up pretty decently.  

 

 

[deaknh03]

On 4/24/2017 at 5:52 PM, Smokinal said:

 

I went out yesterday for the first time this year; stung some lips; great day on the jerbait. But I like to throw a swimbait as well and have been using the Keitech with good success. Naturally, as the Rage lover that I am, I couldn't wait to get my hands on some swimmers; which I did and I did throw yesterday too. I threw them on my usual VMC hook found here:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Ike_Approved_Heavy_Duty_Weighted_Swimbait_Hooks_4pk/descpage-VMCHWSB.html?gclid=CL3_5LmtvtMCFdtXDQodZmALjQ

 

I used the same hook I always do, same rod, line, reel and same boots I always wear in the spring and I couldn't get the tail to wag unless I was really burning it, which I didn't want to do. Now the water was only 42 which I thought may have hardened up the bait but I always throw a Keitech in the same water and it swims nice at any speed.

Am I doing something wrong? I hate to bash the line I love so much but I'm not one to flock with the sheep if I didn't see it that way.

 

 

Try changing your boots.

[Paul Roberts]

Boil the tails.

[Smokinal]

Went out again yesterday. The jerkbait was the ticket but I had to try the swimmer again. Water was at 52 this time and I rigged it texas style this time with same results. Rechecked my rigging twice as it just doesn't swim at slow rpm.

I'm done with those. Anyone wanna trade me some Keitechs for them?

[bowhunter63]

I went Monday on the river in high water,Waded at the dam and found some slacker water.The smallies were stacked in there.I caught them fishing the small swimmer on a 3/16 jig head really close to the bottom.The action was pretty good i was fishing them slow.But the action is a little less then you would expect.I get more out of them on a jig head the a swimbait hook.

[Megastink]

I'm surprised with all the negative experiences. I've had a great experience with these baits on jigheads and on 4/0 BEAST hooks. 

 

Ill take all all the ones you want to part with :-)

[fishwizzard]

44 minutes ago, Megastink said:

on jigheads and on 4/0 BEAST hooks. 

 

I think this is sort of explains it.  The Rage Swimmers seem to be made of a much tougher plastic than the Keitech and I have found that the light wire hooks and light tackle that I had been using were giving me endless missed hooksets when I first tried the Rage Swimmers.