Favorite combos for Shad Raps

[Sir Shamsalot]

What are some favorite rigs for fishing lighter shad raps. I'm considering putting together a dedicated rig just for these lures. Interested in both spinning and casting set ups.

[S Hovanec]

I'm building myself a vintage 7' MLF SC4 Inshore spinning to throw them and weightless plastics.  I have a Daiwa Emeraldas to put on it.

[MN Fisher]

Currently, my lighter crankbaits are tossed on a spinning rig - President XT-30 mounted on an Okuma Stratus VI MH/MF. A Shad Rap 05 is about the bottom limit for the rod though, so looking at replacing the rod with an Okuma Reflections ML/MF (1/8-5/8 lure rating) for my lighter cranks.

[Deleted account]

I have an old Mitchell spinning rod that works really well for them. I have paired it with several reels. I think there is a Capricorn on it now, or maybe a Symettre. It bends down the blank and doesn't want to come straight in a nano second. I also have one of the original Shimano Aero rods that I throw them with braid/leader. 

[Dens228]

Daiwa Tatula Elite reel on a MegaBass Flatside Special.   I use the same setup for squarebills and smaller topwater treble baits.   I have the same reel on a MegaBass Swingfire but prefer the Flatside.

[Spankey]

My (2) favorite are a bit old school and I’ve had the for probably 14 years maybe a hair more. 12 years maybe but anyway. 
 

St. Croix Premier Series Crankbait Rods. 
(1) 6’6” Med. Moderate, (1) 7’ Med. Moderate, personally I feel they feel more like a Med. Lt., I’m fine with that. I have Shimano Curado Bantams on them. 8 lb. test. 
 

I realize a bit old school compared to now. But I have a lot of good memories fishing these, still do. 
 

I have other ways to fish Shad Raps also. 

[Fishes in trees]

 I use spinning gear for light balsa cranks.  I've tried numerous different combinations.   Last year I tried a close out 6'6" Fenwick HMG ML spinning rod with a smaller Pflueger spinning reel.   Tried the braid/leader combo and found it was just easier to tie directly to the 10 lb braid that I was using.  I think the braid I was using was the newest version of Power Pro.  When I'm throwing Shad Raps on this rig I have to pay close attention or wind knots happen.   They even happen when I am paying attention.   I just think that throwing lighter baits on whispy, thin lines, in the wind, wind knots happen from time to time.

[Finessegenics]

A M/F spinning rod does it for me. I only fish the sizes 04-07. I imagine the bigger sizes 08-09 could be good on a M/M casting setup. 

[JLBBass]

older model Falcon Bucoo "Cranker Spin" 7'0 / Daiwa Taula 3000LT

[mrpao]

As mentioned above - a good spinning rod with light line will work well. I usually use a 1000 or 2000 size spinning reel in a slower gear ratio.

I throw #4, #5, #6 shad raps on 6 lbs test mono.

I also mix in Berkley flicker shads and rapala shad dancers in similar sizes. Sometimes bass will prefer one bait over another.

Shad raps are a main staple of mine in the colder months into spring.

 

[kayaking_kev]

I have a Dobyns Champion XP 704cb Glass rod and a Custom Phenix Composite X-10 that work great with them, both are paired with SLX MGL 70's. The Champion is probably slightly better for lighter cranks, but not by much, but the Phenix weighs a lot less overall though.

[walleyecrazy]

I generally just throw them on one of my spinning setups that I use for finesse stuff, which currently happen to both be 7’6” ML rods. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 2/26/2021 at 8:03 AM, Sir Shamsalot said:

What are some favorite rigs for fishing lighter shad raps. I'm considering putting together a dedicated rig just for these lures. Interested in both spinning and casting set ups.

I think the most efficient way to fish the smaller sizes is on a ML XF.  I would rather use casting gear, but any kind of stiff wind complicates things. 

[new2BC4bass]

I learned to cast #5 Shad Raps on 3 combos.

 

An older HMG 7' MLF and TD-Z 105

OG Falcon Expert 6'9" LF and gold colored Carbonlite

Older Crankin' Stick 7' MLF and gold colored Carbonlite

 

Although the HMG is rated down to 1/8 oz. versus the 1/16 oz. of the other 2 rods, distance was just as good as far as I could tell.

 

Spinning I hardly ever use, but wouldn't mind trying on an older model Fuego 6’10” M-EF which has a very soft tip.

[Bluebasser86]

On 2/26/2021 at 11:19 AM, JLBBass said:

older model Falcon Bucoo "Cranker Spin" 7'0 / Daiwa Taula 3000LT

I use the new version of this rod, with a Daiwa 3000 Elimnator and 8lb AbrasX.

[Bankc]

I throw on a ML/F spinning setup for my shad raps.  It doubles as my finesse rig.  I find it hard to get much usable distance with a baitcaster on a lure that light.  

 

 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Spinning

Avid 8' ML/Mod rod 

4-8 pound Nanofil line

2000 size Daiwa RG-AB reel