Shad rap sizes?

[Ravox]

I’m looking to buy some Shad Raps to start using crank baits more and im not sure what size i should get to fish in Channels/ lakes / ponds in Florida I think #5 is too small im thinking about #7 or #9 what size should use for a baitcaster?

 

 

[RDB]

Out of curiosity, why a shad rap?  In Florida, I would assume mid 60’s water temp would be cold for you guys.  IMO, shad raps are great cold water cranks but I don’t think they would be my first choice in Florida. 

[KDW96]

#7 and # 9 are what i use. They will catch fish just i florida just fine. But do yourself a favor. And grab some Rapala Suspending Shadraps. Clown and shad have been my best producers. Also i switched out the hooks,to the KVD1X2X. 

[RDB]

1 hour ago, KDW96 said:

#7 and # 9 are what i use. They will catch fish just i florida just fine. But do yourself a favor. And grab some Rapala Suspending Shadraps. Clown and shad have been my best producers. Also i switched out the hooks,to the KVD1X2X. 

Sure they will catch fish anywhere, that wasn’t the point I was making.  Without a doubt, shad raps shine the most in colder water which is not common in Florida v. your water in Illinois.  IMO, there are better crankbait choices than shad raps for Florida waters, especially since water depth is typically pretty shallow and there is often vegetation.

 

My first choice for a crank would be a squarebill.  You can get them that run from 0 to over 10 feet.  Brand - lot’s of good choices in the 1.5 size.  I don’t mean to take anything away from shad raps…they are fine lures and have a place in my box.  As far as shad rap size, you may find it difficult to throw the smaller sizes on a baitcaster. 

[Ravox]

1 hour ago, RDB said:

Sure they will catch fish anywhere, that wasn’t the point I was making.  Without a doubt, shad raps shine the most in colder water which is not common in Florida v. your water in Illinois.  IMO, there are better crankbait choices than shad raps for Florida waters, especially since water depth is typically pretty shallow and there is often vegetation.

 

My first choice for a crank would be a squarebill.  You can get them that run from 0 to over 10 feet.  Brand - lot’s of good choices in the 1.5 size.  I don’t mean to take anything away from shad raps…they are fine lures and have a place in my box.  As far as shad rap size, you may find it difficult to throw the smaller sizes on a baitcaster. 

since im starting with cranks now can you give me a ideia of brands and models KVD 1.5 maybe ? Or anything from Rapala?

[RDB]

1 hour ago, Ravox said:

since im starting with cranks now can you give me a ideia of brands and models KVD 1.5 maybe ? Or anything from Rapala?

Lot’s of manufacturers make great 1.5 sized crankbaits.  The reason I suggested a squarebill is they have better deflection qualities than other bill styles (more forgiving).

Since you are just starting, I would personally go with KVD.  If you go to Tackle Warehouse and type in KVD silent and KVD Hard Knock, you can see the 2 basic versions they sell (obviously 1 silent and 1 not).  They are reasonably priced, offer lot’s of color choices and have depth ranges from 3 to I think 10 feet.  As far as Rapala, the only one’s I can speak to are the BX Brat which comes in a 1.0 & 1.5 size (they may have a 2.0…not sure) and the DT series, which I love, but are round bills.  I would choose the depth based on the conditions you are fishing.  In a perfect world, I prefer to deflect off of something (cover or the bottom) but in Florida, vegetation may be a problem for bottom contact.  If you need shallower, you can always go with a wakebait.  Lot’s of Florida folks on here so hopefully they will correct me if I’m leading you astray.  Hope that helps.

 

Also, lipless crankbaits work well in vegetation, so that is another option I would consider.  Again, lot’s of manufacturers sell lipless cranks.

[Bluebasser86]

The #5 is my favorite size Shad Rap. 

[fishballer06]

Shad Raps are difficult to cast on baitcasting gear because of the weight and balsa design. That being said, the #7 is the smallest I can throw, even with the proper setup for using baitcasters.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, fishballer06 said:

Shad Raps are difficult to cast on baitcasting gear because of the weight and balsa design. That being said, the #7 is the smallest I can throw, even with the proper setup for using baitcasters.

Yep - I toss the #5 on spinning gear, #7 on the casting gear.

[Spankey]

I'm a huge Rappy fan. Shad Raps possibly my favorite with DT's right there with it. They have a place. I've never fished in Florida but don't see why a Shad Rap would not work. Don't see why a DT would not work. Other cb's could be better suited for your environment. On the river I fish the heck out of the No. 5's, Lake fishing I prefer a 7, 8 or 9. bigger profile. Even they are not that big compared to some of the Gizzard Shad or Herring in the lake I fish.

[JS Patterson]

In SC the shad rap works from the low water temps I see of 47 up to the 90s during summer. SR7 is good size but the shallow SSR07 is great  in water that is not deep. 

[Mbirdsley]

#5 shad rap all you need.  I have some size 7’s 9’s, and a 10.  However, in all honesty I’ve only used the #5’s.  The 9’s and 10 can be thrown on a bait caster with some success 

[Bankc]

On 1/12/2022 at 8:05 AM, MN Fisher said:

Yep - I toss the #5 on spinning gear, #7 on the casting gear.

#5 is the most productive for me.  But they really work best on spinning gear, because they're just too light for normal BC gear.  #5 seems to catch the same size as the larger shad raps, but fewer numbers.  To me, the only reason to go up from #5 is to cast them on heavier gear.