Rapala Jerkbait

[frostyttu]

What small hard jerkbaits do you like or have worked the best for you?  I fish in North Texas mainly and southern Oklahoma.  Any specific hard jerkbaits you like that get a lot of bites?

[gim]

I assume you're specifically referring to Rapala brand since your title indicates that.

 

I've used the shadow rap and rip stop.  They have both caught fish, but I prefer other brands instead that have produced better results.  I changed out the trebles on the rapala jerk baits as they seem to bend very easily.

[frostyttu]

4 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I assume you're specifically referring to Rapala brand since your title indicates that.

 

I've used the shadow rap and rip stop.  They have both caught fish, but I prefer other brands instead that have produced better results.  I changed out the trebles on the rapala jerk baits as they seem to bend very easily.

Which others?

[gim]

I like the megabass jerk baits myself.  But they can be pretty steep in cost.  You'd go broke pretty quick if you went out and bought a dozen at a time lol

 

I had some decent luck this past season with a Shimano World Minnow with Flashboost too.

[Dwight Hottle]

Pointer 100 series, Ima Flit 120 size & Rapala  X-Rap.

[FishTank]

Pointer 100, Megabass Vision 110 and especially the 110 Jr, Megabass X-Nanahan, OSP Durga 73sp, and the Shimano World Minnow. 

 

I haven't fished Rapala jerkbait since X-rap came out so maybe 15+ years ago.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

I made the swap to megabass 110 this past year and results were less than steller. They may work great elsewhere but for me I've made the swap back to my tried and true smithwick. 

Just something about those smithwick rogues bass in my local river can't get enough of! The megabass just flat didn't produce. I've tried LC, Rapala, and now megabass, and I'll throw my vote towards Smithwick all day! 

[Robin]

Never had much luck on Rapala jerkbaits. The Megabass 110 works good for me, but my real fish catchers are the Megabass Nahahan and the OSP Durga. These two are usually thrown on my BFS

set-ups and they really do produce. The Durga is somewhat "off the radar", but it is an excellent bait. Unfortunately, both of these are somewhat expensive, but bottom line is they definitely catch fish.

[Bass Rutten]

For me it’s hands down the husky jerk.

[Aaron_H]

6 hours ago, frostyttu said:

What small hard jerkbaits do you like or have worked the best for you?  I fish in North Texas mainly and southern Oklahoma.  Any specific hard jerkbaits you like that get a lot of bites?

 

From Rapala, the Shadow Rap Shad is my best producing, though the new Mavrik 110 looks very promising. The Shadow Rap and Husky Jerk are great, also, but I have yet to unlock any secrets with the RipStop.

 

From other brands, the Berkley Stunna is very solid, and if you have an Academy near you, the H2OX Ultimate Jerk Shad has far and away been my best producing jerkbait in the last two years.

[DogBone_384]

I've been on a Berkeley Stunna kick this year.  I bought some on sale and must say they're very comparable to Megabass' V110's.

 

I use Rapala Shadow Rap and Rip Stop during the winter and in shallow weedy ponds.  They run shallow enough not to get bogged down in most weeds.  I use mono instead of fluorocarbon too.

[einscodek]

Don't get hung up on the brand of jerkbait.  I used to catch them on Rapala jerks then I fell for the talk about how Megabass 110s were even better so I bought 2 and yea guess what I caught fish just like I did Rapalas.  I also found what I think is a Megabass knock off stuck on timber in low water and grabbed it and guess what caught fish on it and so on.  Now I have like close to 10 hard jerkbaits of varying sizes and colors and they all work some slightly better not on brand but depending on conditions varying mostly on size and color and its dizzying to have to choose between them when you just want to fish... a  ... jerkbait.

You don't want or need that complexity its not that complicated.

[Bankbeater]

I've probably caught more bass on a Smithwick Rogue than anything else.

[Chilidog]

The x rap has been a great bait for me when fishing smallmouth.  For largemouth I have used the husky jerk but I would not consider it a great bait.  It seems to be a better bait for walleye and pike.

[crypt]

Bomber Long-A......

[WRB]

Back in the day ripping a Rapala balsa minnow followed by Smithwick Suspending Rogue was the fore runner of jerk baits. Storm suspend dots were made for Rogues.

Then the Japanese invaded us with Daiwa TD minnow, lights out better then our domestic rip baits. Lucky Craft followed with the “Pointer” and the tried and true Rapala’s, Bomber Long A’s and Rogues were put away for lures that cost 3X more. The term “sticky hooks” became associated with Japanese Jerk baits.

Today you look on TW and 2 categories of jerk baits are listed, shallow and deep with dozens of choices.

The pre Japanese rip baits caught bass and still do, the newer lures have improved hooks but it’s still up to the angers to add action needed to catch bass and money doesn’t buy skill.

Tom

[craww]

The Smithwick Rogue has consistently got me more bites over the years than anything else. The original, non super rogue in particular will catch fish on those really tough days with cool temps and bluebird sky’s like nothing else- for me anyway. The super rogue has a massive following as well- it’s a different bait than the suspending rogue….But I haven’t committed to throwing it for whatever reason.

[waymont]

Husky Jerk 3.5” and X Rap . Both are great baits

I also catch lots of fish on the 3.5” Rebel Minnows, both the solid and broke back versions.

They are floaters, but are great fished like a jerkbait

[flyfisher]

I like the x-raps and the shadow rap series.  I carry lead tape with me so I can adjust characteristics while on the water.  I have found the tape is easier to use than the dots and besides that, I use it for tyingflies as well.

[Bdnoble84]

Depends on time of year and fish activity. Any time fish are active spring to fall (water +60f) i like a x-rap. Cooler conditions ive had more luch with a husky jerk. They dont suspend consistantly though so i have to tweak them with suspen-dots and playing with larger/ heavier split rings. Suspendots go right behind the first hook. larger hooks work also but i kinda feel like they can kill the action more. If i want to work the top couple feet i go with a good ole floating rap. I love the metallic silver. Its been a go to since i was a kid. Ive caught a top of crappie on it too running it on a slow straight retreive along shallow wood.

 

mind you im fishing northern rivers mostly for smallmouth.

[Darth-Baiter]

I can kill on a Vision110 if I remember to calm the heck down.  that JB needs a gentle hand.  I had an awakening when I fished it in crystal clear water.  it looks and acts way better if you tap it instead of jerk it.  

 

for a tiny one, I am killing on the X-Nanohan.  killing!!  I had one day where the trout were trying to beat the bass to my bait.  

 

I have had way less luck on the LC Pointer.  mine sinks too fast in my waters.  

 

we live and fish in a fun time.  there is no shortage of jerk bait options.  I am going to open my wallet to buy a few bigger ones for my spring Striper trip to Oklahoma.  

[Susky River Rat]

A lot of the reason I have rapala stuff is because I get it at Walmart. I like Shad raps. I did recently buy some berkley stunnas. I just fish an and really stick to the same things just because they work for me. Not because I like a bait over the other. 

[KP Duty]

X-rap.  Deadly in large and small sizes 👍

[MN Fisher]

48 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

X-rap.  Deadly in large and small sizes 👍

Ya - Crappie love an X-Rap 04

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Duo 85sp, Rozante 77 and 63