Cold front coming, X RAP help

[Matt Fly]

Today was windy, morning low of 54, southwinds 15-20 mph, 80 for the high, morning surface temp 57.2,  noon 59.8,  3pm 60.8.   The X Rap was the money bait today.  Noon, the orange bellied brown back X Rap (I called it a burnt orange) bite was on.   These fish came from the deep water, 10-20  around noon up on flats in 2-5ft.  I found the wind blown break lines associated with smaller flats to hold 2.5 -4.5 lb fish.   3 typical spots that had the same features produced a limit of 5 at 14.32, 9 keepers, culled 3 times, had 7 unders in 3hrs.  9th place.  18.08 took first at the Media Bass on Cedar Creek, 49 teams.  Back on CC next Sat. for another tourney.

With this cold front coming in tommorow and hanging around all week,  Will the X Rap produce in colder water?  This will be the first major cold spell to stay awhile.   Is there a temp that would deem this bait to be ineffective?

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I don't think you'll get an actual number for an answer, too many other variables that colud also be part of the turn-off.

If it's workin', keep chuckin' till it isn't would be my advice.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I think that jerkbaits in general are one of those all conditions baits.  The only thing you have to find it the right "jerk, jerk, pause" combo.  There are days when all you do is "jerk" and others where it's more like "pause.....................pause..........................pause...................pause....................jerk".  Jerkbaits are one of the first baits I grabas soon as the ice melts up here.

[basspro48]

Instead of jerking it try twitching it with long pauses in between.

Hope this helps.

[Guest avid]

jerk baits definityly work better for me when the water is cold.  I am not too patient with the pauses but that where most of the strikes come.  I could probably do better if I could let the bait sit longer, but I get antsy.  :-/

[The_Natural]

Tie that x-rap on your spinning rod with some 8lb fluorocarbon...it will run deeper and have better action.  There definitely isn't a temp that jerbaits become ineffective.  They are tailor made for cold water, even though they can produce year round.  The colder and nastier it gets, the longer I generally wait in between jerks.  You will just have to experiment.

[BassinSoldier]

   I used an X-RAP for the first time about a month ago on Kentucky lake with cold weather conditions and was pleasantly surprised.  Find a bank around midday that has warmed up and is holding baitfish (shad) and throw your X-RAP.  You'll put a hurtin' on 'em!  I love this new Rapala!!!  Good luck!

[FALCON]

I WAS AT BASS PRO SHOP LAST WEEKEND AND I NOTICED THEY HAVE A SMALLER VERSION OF THE X-RAP (31/4 INCH 1/4 OZ). MAYBE THE SMALLER/SLOWER THEORY WILL WORK.

CHECK OUT THE RAPALA WEB SITE, THEY HAVE A WHOLE NEW LINE OF X-RAPS.

[Chris]

If the water is clear enough I would say a jerkbait is #1 producer until the water freezes. #2 jig in stained #3crankbait. You might need to slow it down and pause it more and longer. Snap it to get it to spook then almost lay your rod down and wait. Then when you can't stand it anymore snap it again then wait. You will pick it up one time and he is just there. It will feel like you hooked a wet sock if its cold enough.

[Matt Fly]

North winds all week, lows in 20's hi in the 40's for the week.  Water temp will drop this week for sure.

Thanks for the info,   I wasn't for sure if this bait would be a good post-cold front bait.  Sounds like the colder the better.

[Shad_Master]

An old crusty guy in these parts that has more experience than I've got soft plastics told me the secret to catching fish on a jerk bait  - he said, "Son, you cast it out a far as you can - lay your rod down and pour a cup of coffee - give it a jerk - drink the coffee - give it another jerk - light up a cigarette - give it a jerk - smoke the cigarette - give it another jerk -- get the picture?".  Have never really put much time into them since then, but with KVD and the Classic and all, have been thinking about pulling them out again when the water turns liquid.

[Hookhead]

Great info!  Thanks all.  I'll try out my new X RAP this weekend at Folsom.  I've only used it 1 other time, last summer, at Folsom.  I got a lot of bass bumping it but no takers.  I'll have to give it a try.  

[Chris]

"Son, you cast it out a far as you can - lay your rod down and pour a cup of coffee - give it a jerk - drink the coffee - give it another jerk - light up a cigarette - give it a jerk - smoke the cigarette - give it another jerk -- get the picture?".  

This works for jigs also this time of year.