rapala crankbaits ????

[icecold]

I always fish plastic baits,and never with crankbaits. ,but can anyone tell me what would be a good rapala to ,use for shallow water say 2-6 feet I fish only river systems for walleyes Im looking for a shallow style lure, to use in these conditions, What do I need to catch those eyes?? Thanks.

[DARK30]

I guess I'm kinda partial to the SR5 Shad Rap (or) Shallow Shad Rap but the original floater should do well also. There's a few newer styles out there that I haven't tried yet but they're in the box.

Fishing a shad rap in shallow water is a little tricky but keeping the rod tip in the right postion and using a slower retrieve has put a lot of fish on the line for me. I still use a lot of plastics but a few Rapalas are always nearby.

Hopefully the Minnesota River will be "fishing friendly" come mid May!

[Rainman]

I am also quite partial to the #5 shad rap. The old rapala fat raps work great as well as the walley divers! If I could only choose one it would be the #5 shad rap though. In firetiger of coarse, right Dark?

Rainman

[delmuts]

the original floating rap. should work for you for that depth range.if you bump something, stop and let it drft up slightly then continue cranking it in. try a steady retreive and a jerk and pause one also. try to pick a size and color that matches the forage for that area.

[kpj5br]

When it comes to rap's, the difference between 2 and 6 feet is substantial.

If that 2 to 6 feet is something like a gradual drop off, for example casting to shore (where it's two feet) and retrieving to boat (where it's 6 feet), then you have a lot of options. Agree with the SR5, but I also use an SR7 or even an SR8 in those cases, just start your retrieve slow and increase speed and the depth increases.

If you want to fish flats that are relatively steady in depth within that range, you'll want to have several baits handy. For the 2' depth, F7 is probably best, although you could go to F9 or F11 if you fish it properly.

For 4' depth, I prefer SSR7, you'll tap bottom a bit, but you want that.

For 6', back to the SR5, or stay with the SSR7 and fish longer line or use braided line.

Another thing to remember is that the type of line you use can also play a big role in running depth. Get the Rapala book, and it gives you guidelines for every lure they make, with line type and length and how you can predict the lure will run.

[PerchJerker]

I used Rapalas Glass Shad Raps last year casting in a shallow and rocky river. Great baits. I believe they have a rattle in them whereas the original shad raps and shallow shad raps do not. Bang these baits right into the rocks and the bottom, or raise your rod tip and slow your retrieve to keep them above bottom. One thing I noticed though is these baits are very touchy to tune to get to run the best.

[Cooter]

A husky jerk should be another option for you. Don't forget the rattling rap.

[CNY Tim]

What size is the largest 2 treble hook silver/black husky jerk is it a 7? It's my bread and butter for me in shallow 0 - 2' super slow crank. Eyes murder it in the late fall/early winter.

[Ed Carlson]

Bomber Long A's (Cost effective and produce well)

Bagley Minnows. A very good shallow water crank with high buoyancy. They also do well on a 3-way rig for deep river trolling applications.

Smithwick Rattling Roughs. (Suspending and non-suspending models) A very good walleye crank for many applications.

Salmo Sting. S6SP, S9SP, S12SP, S12F, S9F (Super trolling cranks at all speeds. Straight-line trolling, casting, and on leadcore.)

Salmo Whitefish. SW13JF, SW13F, SW18F, SW18SX (Big baits with a wide slow wobble for big fall walleye and pike)

Deep Diver Cranks

Salmo Hornet (HF-4, HF-5, and HF-6) Deadly on walleye!

Salmo Bullhead BD6SDR, BD4SDR, BD8SDR, BD6S, BD6F. Killer Walleye cranks on rivers and suspended fish.

Salmo Perch . PH12F, PH12S A super perch pattern deep trolling, casting, and long-line trolling. The GMO pattern is hot tickets on waters were "Gold" is king...like on LOTW.

Salmo Zipper. SZ7 A new deal in the Salmo line and a super new lip-less crank that falls slower and wobbles well on the fall as well as on the retrieve.

I could go on and on, as you see I am a crank bait junkie. I like to put them into play as much as I can. These are some of my top picks and have all done very well for me.

[LEECH21]

Oh yea, don't forget my personal favorite the jointed shad rap! The smaller sizes should do well in water less than six feet.

[cheektowaga]

I'm a huge fan of the jointed shads, love the action and versatility.

Countdown series may also work well for you that way you are the one that controls the depth, and can vary it on any given cast. I've heard good things from these being fished in rivers.

[kslipsinker]

The new X-Raps have a very nice action that could be very effective in shallow water. It really darts and suspends.