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Erik asked a question about X-Rap fishing, so rather then clutter up the other thread I'll post my thoughts here.
I normally use the XR8 or XR10 sizes. The ghost is actually my least favorite color. For some reason, even when the bite is hot, I can't get anything going on it. I have multiples of just about every color. To start with my two favorite are perch and clown. Normally what I do though is make 10-20 casts with one color and then switch. Often when I know fish are holding in an area I get a few fish on one color, they shut off, then I am able to get a few more when I switch colors. When the slashbait bite is hot, I will repeat this all day long. I will also mix it up with LuckyCraft Pointers, Rogues, and Husky Jerks. All those have a little different action, and sometimes work better then others on given days. Probably the toughest thing to learn is the slash action of the bait. X-Raps have so much more to offer then traditional stick baits. Creating slack and having a good snap action is the biggest key. You should be hearing a loud audible snap on each jerk. I will reel down on the snap to make the bait action as violent as possible. Most fish will hit it on the pause as I raise the rod tip back up. Braid is important because of no stretch factor. I would not try this technique with mono. Its even better then a walking the dog motion because the action created is so erratic and unpredictable. It is hell on the wrist though.
Here are some pics from the Spring of 2006 when I really fished these baits hard. All the fish have various colored Raps (except one LuckyCraft fish) sticking out of their mouths so you can see that color variety really is important. Its an expensive investment, especially when pike like to steal them. As you can see it is a good walleye bait too on the occasion that they are feeding shallow.
I normally use the XR8 or XR10 sizes. The ghost is actually my least favorite color. For some reason, even when the bite is hot, I can't get anything going on it. I have multiples of just about every color. To start with my two favorite are perch and clown. Normally what I do though is make 10-20 casts with one color and then switch. Often when I know fish are holding in an area I get a few fish on one color, they shut off, then I am able to get a few more when I switch colors. When the slashbait bite is hot, I will repeat this all day long. I will also mix it up with LuckyCraft Pointers, Rogues, and Husky Jerks. All those have a little different action, and sometimes work better then others on given days. Probably the toughest thing to learn is the slash action of the bait. X-Raps have so much more to offer then traditional stick baits. Creating slack and having a good snap action is the biggest key. You should be hearing a loud audible snap on each jerk. I will reel down on the snap to make the bait action as violent as possible. Most fish will hit it on the pause as I raise the rod tip back up. Braid is important because of no stretch factor. I would not try this technique with mono. Its even better then a walking the dog motion because the action created is so erratic and unpredictable. It is hell on the wrist though.
Here are some pics from the Spring of 2006 when I really fished these baits hard. All the fish have various colored Raps (except one LuckyCraft fish) sticking out of their mouths so you can see that color variety really is important. Its an expensive investment, especially when pike like to steal them. As you can see it is a good walleye bait too on the occasion that they are feeding shallow.







