Another Lure I.D.

[BSG]

Had these lures for quite some time, I am pretty sure I got them while I was part of the Rapala fishing club. I know their a rapala, but not quite sure of the name. Searched as much as I could online, and to no avail. They have the original floating minnow body, with the shallow shad rap lip. Any Ideas on the name, or possible whereabouts of more?

Thanks,

Brad

[tunrevir]

That looks like a countdown body rather then a floater but once you get into the shorter baits it gets tougher to tell the difference between the two. I have some older jointed raps with the bent bill that are all countdowns but I haven't seen that bill style on a straight rap stickbait other then the shallow shad raps. Could it have been a prototype shallow running countdown? Sounds odd to have a sinking bait with a shallow bill though. Does the bait float or sink? There was a short run of signature series baits named after the Rapala boys, maybe it is one of those sig/series baits.

Tunrevir~

[MN Mike]

That's a Rapala Team Esko floater, deadly behind a downrigger ball on Lake of the Woods. No longer made anymore but Scheels makes a special order every year, thats the only place I know where you can still get them new besides the big auction site where they usually run 2 or 3 times the price.

I'm not sure what your color scheme is called though.

Mike

[Ed Carlson]

ESCO's are mainly in European distribution networks, not easy to find in the USA. Scheels has bought direct but the supply runs out quickly, very limited supplies are produced yearly.

This lip design is also used in the SSR Shad Raps.

The SSR style lip is the key to this lure class, and it's action.

Salmo also has a SSR lipped lure called the "Executor"... very deadly.

The Salmo "Frisky" in the shallow model also is a jointed SSR model.

They are very good behind riggers, 3-way rigs, and bottom bouncers.

[MN Mike]

Before I found out a couple years ago that Scheels orders them in once a year, I had to get my last 4 ( Hot Tiger color ) from a bait shop in Wales, couldn't find them anywhere in the U.S. Luckily, a family friend was living there at the time so it wasn't too much trouble to get them.

One of the guys at Scheels said that these do indeed go quick, a few clients will come in and pickup 30 - 50 at a time

I'll have to try some of those Salmo's one day, I did pick up some SSR's just in case I have to come up with a plan B for the Esko's.

Mike

[BSG]

MN MIKE!!!! Thanks man, I had it on the end of my tongue, and couldn't remember. That's it. I've been trolling these babies in 3-6ft of water over the weeds catching eyes. The SSRs work also, but it seems they dive that extra 8-14 inches. If you come in shallow, hold the rod up, and go out deep hold the rod down type deal, and it works great. Well, sad to say The other lure that worked this weekend was that Frisky, and I only have a few of those, so I'll be on my way to spend some more cash.

Thanks Again Guys. Much appreciated.