Rapala's X-Rap #'s XR-8 and XR-6 and a swimbait. Will this work for smallies?

[jerebro]

I just got the following Rapalla's and wonder how to use them and when to use them. I am unsure the proper way to retrieve them. Fast, slow, medium, what really seems to work best with these things. I have never had a whole lot of luck off of them but a few different friends have strongly suggested I equip my arsnal with a few of them and these are the ones I picked out. They swear they are great producer's. Any advice you have on the matter would be great. I will be using them on a large creek, but first will be using them on a small lake. I like smallmouth the best but i am not picky.

Thanks for the advice

Rapala                 X-Rap                       XR-8     Dark to light minnow with red tail

Rapala                 X-Rap                       XR-6     Clear, orange chin, white tail

Rapala                 Jointed Shad Rap      JSR-5     silver minnow color

Cotton Cordell      Super Spot               Red/Brown Craw Color

[Scorpio]

The x-raps are excellent lures for smallmouths.  I crank it down to depth required, followed by 2-3 jerks with pauses in between.  The fish will let you know the best length of pause (I have had luck from 1-10 second pauses).  As Rapala says, the x-Rap is a slash bait, so it is not designed for swimming, per se.  The best time to use the x-rap is in the Fall when the bait fish are larger and the Smallies are gorging for the winter.

Where I fish, the best color is the gold one with the orange belly.  It is a sure killer.

[jerebro]

Thanks a bunch, I have never given rapala's a fair shot to see what they can do, but I am going to now. I just about bought the one with the colors you were talking about, and will probably get it soon because those are the colors that produce most for me on the creek anyway. Thanks! What size fish do you catch with those?

[Scorpio]

I use the 8s and 10s.  I have had days where I caught several 16-19" fish with the x-rap.  This year has been kind of tough.  Last year we kiled them with the x-rap.  The only complaint I have is that the hooks break pretty easily.  Good luck.