Fishing Rapala Crankbaits
Fishing Rapala Crankbaits
weeds and crankbaits?
I don’t normally use crankbaits but decided it would help if i started using more of them more often. Plus i always buy them but never end up using them…anyway today i was fishing a rapala dt-4 on a pond by my house but on most casts i would come up with algae, weeds, and other crap on the treble hooks. I was wondering how i could avoid this. I know the keeping the rod tip higher will keep the bait higher but are there any other options. because i plan on starting to use them more ofter on lakes if i can just keep stuff off the treble hooks.
What pound line are you using?
If you are using a DT4 on 8# line it will run deeper than 4ft.
One thing you can do is go to a heavier line, say if you are using 12#(which would be ideal for DT baits) switch it 14 or 15# line.
Smaller dia. line has less resistance and will allow a crank bait to run deeper than it will on heavier line that has more resistance and does not allow the crank bait to run as deep.
At times when I know fish are hitting crank baits I may have 3 or 4 rods on the deck of my boat all with the exact same bait on.
With each rod/reel combo having a different weight line on it.
This will give me a wide variety of depths I can cover without changing baits.
Another thing you can do is what is known as a stop and go retrieve. To do this you make your cast and give the reel a couple of cranks to get the bait down to its running depth, then pause. This will allow your bait to float up a little (depending on how long your pause is) then you start your retrieve again. This is very helpful if you know where a log, brush pile, or grass is. By pausing for a second or two your bait will rise above the obstruction.
Could go on with more details, but there have been whole books written on the use of crank baits.
Go to this link and and click on the “How to fish” Might find something that will help you fish the DT series better.
http://www.rapala.com/products/luresdetail.cfm?modelName=dives-to_series&freshorsalt=Fresh
Good Luck
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LOT OF 2 FISHING LURES CRANKBAIT RRRR RAPALA ETC. $4.25 |
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7 Rapala Crankbait Fishing Lures/ With Box! $7.99 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure DEEP DIVE DT-6 Crankbait TIGER DT6 $6.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait GOLD XR-8 $6.95 |
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RAPALA SHADRAP Shad Rap Fishing Lure SR-5 Crankbait $6.95 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure F-3 Floating Crankbait SILVER Bait $5.95 |
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Rapala Crankbait Fishing Lure Blue Jointed with rattler $2.53 |
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NEW Rapala TDD-9 20 ft Deep Crankbait Bass Fishing $0.99 |
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NEW Rapala Risto Rap Crankbait RR-8 TSD Bass Fishing $0.99 |
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NEW Rapala Risto Rap Crankbait RR-7 TSD Bass Fishing $0.99 |
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RAPALA RISTO RAP FISHING LURES – LOT OF 2 CRANKBAITS $6.99 |
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RAPALA DT-16 Deep Diving Crankbait Shad Fishing Lure $0.99 |
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RAPALA DT BAITS CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE LOT OF 3 NIB !! $3.24 |
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RAPALA DT BAITS CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE LOT OF 2 NIB !! $0.99 |
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RAPALA X-RAP SLASH BAIT CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE LOT 2 $1.04 |
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RAPALA CLACKIN’ RAP CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE LOT OF 2 NIB $7.50 |
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RAPALA CLACKIN’ RAP CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE CRANK BAIT $0.99 |
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Rapala Rattling Fishing Tackle Crankbait Lures Lot $2.98 |
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RAPALA CLACKIN’ RAP CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE CRANK BAIT $0.99 |
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Huge Giant rapala lure crankbait big fishing lure $35.00 |
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Rapala Shad Rap SR-7 Crankbait fishing Lure $2.99 |
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RAPALA GLASS FAT RAP BAITS CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE NEW $0.99 |
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RAPALA CLACKIN’ RAP CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE CRANK BAIT $0.99 |
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Set of 2 ~ RAPALA~ FISHING Lures Crankbaits $0.99 |
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Crankbait Fishing Lure, Rapala Rattlin’ Shad, Clean $3.99 |
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Rapala Fat Rap Crawfish Fishing Lure crankbait bass $0.99 |
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Walleye Fishing Crankbaits Rapala Wally Diver Trolling $0.99 |
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Lot of 7 crankbait fishing lures. Rapala tail dancer $0.99 |
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8 Norman dd22 crankbaits, fishing lures, rapala $3.26 |
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3 New In Box Rapala DT-6 Crankbait Fishing Lures Lot $11.99 |
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Custom Painted Rapala Dt-6 crankbait fishing lure BCB $1.04 |
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Custom Painted Rapala Dt-6 crankbait fishing lure BCB $0.99 |
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Custom Painted Rapala Dt-10 crankbait fishing lure BCB $0.99 |
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CRANK BAIT VINTAGE SWIM BAIT RAPALA REBLE LURES FISHING $10.52 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure 5-G Floating Crankbait GOLD Bait $5.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP SHAD Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait BLUE $6.95 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure DEEP DIVE DT-4 Crankbait BLUE SHAD $6.95 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure DEEP DIVE DT-4 Crankbait SILVER $6.95 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure DEEP DIVE DT6 Crankbait HOT MUSTARD $8.95 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure F-9 Floating Crankbait F9 SILVER $6.95 |
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2-NEW IN BOX RAPALA SHADRAP SR5 CRANKBAIT FISHING LURES $9.99 |
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RAPALA X-RAP Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait CLOWN XR-8 $6.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP SHAD Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait SILVER $7.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP SHAD Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait GOLD $7.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait SILVER XR-6 $6.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP Extreme Fishing Crankbait HOT STEEL XR-6 $6.95 |
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Fishing Lure, Rapala Minnow Crankbait, Rattles, Clean $3.99 |
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1/4OZ RAPALA X RAP CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE SILVER $6.89 |
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5/16OZ RAPALA X RAP CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE CLOWN $6.99 |
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RAPALA Jointed Fishing Lure J-9 Floating Crankbait SILV $6.95 |
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RAPALA Jointed Fishing Lure J11 Floating Crankbait SILV $6.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait SILVER XR10 $7.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait GOLD XR-6 $6.95 |
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RAPALA Jointed Fishing Lure J-7 Floating Crankbait SILV $6.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait SILVER XR-8 $6.95 |
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RAPALA HUSKY JERK HJ08 Silver Blue Fishing Crankbait $6.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait Olive XR-6 $6.95 |
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RAPALA HUSKY JERK HJ08 Silver Lure Fishing Crankbait $6.95 |
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RAPALA HUSKY JERK HJ08 FIRETIGER Lure Fishing Crankbait $6.95 |
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RAPALA Jointed Fishing Lure J-5 Floating Crankbait GOLD $6.95 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure F-7 Floating Crankbait SILVER F7 $5.95 |
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Rapala Husky Jerk HJ06 Gold Fishing Lure Crankbait $5.75 |
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RAPALA X-RAP SHAD Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait CLOWN $7.95 |
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RAPALA X-RAP SHAD Extreme Fishing Lure Crankbait Olive $6.95 |
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RAPALA HUSKY JERK HJ06 Tenn Shad Fishing Crankbait Lure $6.50 |
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RAPALA DEEP TAIL DANCER CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE PURPLE $8.99 |
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RAPALA DEEP TAIL DANCER CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE PURPLE $9.99 |
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RAPALA Fishing Floating Crankbait Lure COVER THE WATER $5.95 |
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RAPALA TAIL DANCER CRANKBAIT FISHING LURE SILVER/ BLUE $8.99 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure F-7 Floating Crankbait HOT STEEL $5.95 |
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RAPALA Fishing F-7 Floating Crankbait F7 BLEEDING PEARL $6.95 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure DEEP DIVE DT-4 Crankbait BLUEGILL $6.95 |
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14 Lot Crankbait Fishing Lures Rapala Storm Rebel Dance $49.99 |
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RAPALA Fishing Lure F-9 Floating Crankbait HOT STEEL F9 $5.95 |
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RAPALA Jointed Fishing Lure J-5 Floating Crankbait SILV $6.95 |
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RAPALA Fishing F-3 Floating Crankbait PURPLEDESCENT $5.95 |
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RAPALA Fishing F-5 Floating Crankbait F5 HOT STEEL Lure $5.95 |
What is a “twitch” bait?
First off, what is a “twitch” bait? I first heard this term from my Brother-In-Law when he saw me catching fish on one and mumbled, “I never could catch anything on those twitch baits.” A twitch bait is really nothing more than a floating crankbait with a very small lip.The bait runs a few inches under the surface with a steady retrieve and returns to the surface when the retrieve is stopped. Some examples would be the original Rapala(tm), or some of the floating Yo-Zuri(tm) lures but there are many models and brands, so pick your favorite.
How do you fish it?
Now onto the important part, how to fish the bait as a “twitch” bait. This is a real simple method but it requires some imagination. The whole idea is to imitate a dying fish on the surface. You’ve all seen them, those fish that make a few ripples on the surface and then swim a foot or so before returning to the surface again due to exhaustion. This is no different. I fish it in different areas depending on the time of day and weather. One thing though, if its real windy out skip the small twitch bait and move to something that runs underwater or makes a bigger surface disturbance. Basically you will want to cast the bait and let it sit until the rippes settle. Be ready for a strike though, because I have had fish hit the lure when it first lands on the water. Give it a quick jerk to make it dive forward and then let it surface. Twitch it a couple of times on the surface to make it ripple but not move. Repeat and mix up this process. Sometimes I will give it two or three jerks to make it jump forward underwater. Other times I will twitch it just enough to move it forward over real shallow weeds to the next open hole. Here are the areas I concentrate on depending on the time of day.
Night to Early Morning Locations
When fishing one of these baits early in the morning I will fish shallow weed edges or flats with some kind of cover. Usually you will be seeing the tail-end of the night feeding crowd that has been out on the prowl. As the light gets brighter they will move closer to structure for ambush possibilities.
Mid-Day Locations
Here is where you get to test your casting skills. Move up towards the thick weeds that have open pockets. Start casting to the close pockets and work your way out. Move the boat quietly to avoid pushing the fish to other cover. If you don’t cover all of a pocket on the first cast then throw back again, the fish might not move far from cover to get their meal.
Evening to Night Locations
Start moving towards the weed edges and flats again. The edges near the cover that you fished in mid-day seems to usually produce. I have fished these baits with success at night but usually move on to Jitterbugs for surface work and Texas-Rig worms for fishing structure. I will write an article soon on my experiences with night Bass fishing.
Conclusion
Hopefully I haven given you some ideas of what to do with those lures. It works for me and is my fallback method when all else fails. The idea is simple, you just have to work at until you get the technique. Feel free to email me with questions or comments about this article, or post your questions in the forums.
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Rapala Crankbaits
