Rapalas

[Utahbill]

I'm seeing a lot of recent posts with pictures where trout have rapalas hanging out of their mouths. I have hardly ever used rapalas but it looks like I better start. I could use some advice.
What's your favorite rapala and how do you fish it?

Thanks,

Utahbill
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[fishley]

what would you target ? that would help, were would you use them? that would help. rap's are awsome for all fish but there are so many different type's that picing one is tuff.Fish
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[Gorgefanatic]

rapalas are one of the best lures out there. I personaly use the trout colors the most. I have used them for everything from tigermuskys to lake trout with decent results. You can cast them or troll them and they work great.
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[HookJaw_Brimhall]

That F7 rapala that you saw hanging out of the Ogden river browns is the best rapala in my opinion. It has landed tons of fish, not just trout but all kinds of fish. Brown trout are really agressive and it's not uncommon to catch a 10 inch brown on a 4 inch rapala. Last year on the green river I watched a 20 inch brown try to eat a 12 inch rainbow. When river fishing for trout, the fish only have a split second to decide if they want to eat what's floating by them. A minnow is a huge meal and most the time a big brown wont pass it up if it looks right. Check out the "Ogden river chunkers" and the "Weber river chunkers" posts as well as some of the posts I have written on the green river. Most of the fish caught on these posts are on that same rapala. Good luck
Hookjaw
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[CROSSINEYES]

THEY ARE GREAT. FOR BROWNS IN RIVERS CAST UP STREAM AND LET THEM DRIFT DOWN PICKING UP THE SLACK LINE. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TWITCH THE ROD TIP. BITES ARE AGRESSIVE.
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[lunkerhunter2]

I have always avoided rapalas for trout and up until yesterday i was not going to even try anymore. I caught 30 trout yesterday on a 2 3/4" brown trout on an unnamed river. They were hitting it like freight trains. Never in all my fishing trips have i caught trout like i did yesterday on a rapala.[cool]
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[Utahbill]

I plan on targeting trout at the various lakes and reservoirs around the state as the ice comes off and on into the spring. Right now I am boatless [unsure] So I will be casting from the shore.

Utahbill
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[cadresults]

Many years ago I replaced most of my spinner fishing with rapala fishing. I always fish the sinking countdowns on rivers. For large rivers like the snake I use the 3-4" sizes. For smaller rivers I use
the 2 1/2". My favorite colors are the black and gold, rainbow, and
the brown trout. Perch and silver and black also work good.

I think the gold and black does a good job of matching many common baitfish; or closely matching them.

The key to the rapala is the slow action retrieve. When retrieved slowly, it resembles a wounded bait fish. Better than all if not most, other crankbaits.

Having said that, I tried a Lucky lure last year. The action on these lures are amazing and I had great luck with them. However, If you but one, be prepared to pay. The run between $12-15 a piece. LH2, is the only one I know who can consistently afford them!!!!
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[Troll]

I went out and counted, 43 Rapalas.
Origionals, Jointeds, Countdowns, Shad Raps, Super Shad Raps, and Huskey jerks.
Patterns are Silver, Gold, Perch, Firetiger, Blue, Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Shad of a few colors, Bluegill, Clown, and Red & White.
I've Caught every thing from Tuna, Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Jacks, Catfish, Bass, Bluegil, Crappie, Stripers, Musky, Pike, Lake trout, Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Brook trout and the list could go on.
I watch for them on sale, last years or discontinued models, they all catch fish.
I would get a few that are targeted specificaly at the "species of the trip" each time you go on a trip. Then use those same lures on your home waters as well. You;ll like the results.
So as for advice, ask each time your going for a species and we can help.
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[mactuna]

Fairly new to Utah fishing. We moved here two years ago and were learning the area. In Calif. we use rapalas for ever thing in any size, in the ocean they work great for all species. I don't really see any difference in Utahs fish not wanting them, they sure immitate a bait fiah better than most if not all cranbaits. Worm kings work good for all species too. Do you know what worm kings are ?
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[Flycasting]

Do tell... []
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[mactuna]

Rubber or soft plastic fish that you use with lead heads. Similiar to mega baits but not as fat. Work great on all species, fresh and salt water. Used them on a 20 day trip in the ocean. caught yellow tails,dorado,albacore,yellowfin and various bottom dwellers, all on the same lure. They come in almost every color imaginable. Don't know if the sell them here in Utah, usually buy them in Calif. tackle stores
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[lunkerhunter2]

I have never bought one and at this point don't intend to.[]
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[CROSSINEYES]

IVE HAD 100,S OF 30 FISH RIVER DAYS WITH CD#5,S. CHUCK SHOWED IT TO ME WHEN I WAS A FLY FISHERMAN. THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I FLY FISHED. IM NO IDIOT AND WHEN HE HAD ABOUT 15 TO MY 2 I THREW THE FLY POLE IN THE TRUCK AND BUMMED ONE OF HIS RAPAL,S THE REST WAS HISTORY. ENDED THAT DAY WITH ABOUT 30. ON THE UPPER PROVO THEY ROCK THE BIG BROWNS.ON THE MADISON THEY ROCK AS WELL. BERRY ICE OF THEY KILL REALED QUICKLEY IN THE SHALLOW WATER. LOOK AT THE BASIN BROWN UTWALLEYE HAS ON HIS PICK,S. THATS WHY WE FISH EM.
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[WaveWolf]

[#005028]Do you guys take the belly hooks off the Raps before you use them on the streams?......I've had $50 dollar days where I've left that many raps on the bottom of the stream.....Even with the belly hooks off I've had some bad hang-ups.[/#005028]
[#005028]Someone should invent a mono or clear plastic split ring or loop, that has a lb. test break point for Raps so if they get hung up it would disengage the hooks.....Any inventors out there?[/#005028]
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[CROSSINEYES]

we keep it up off the bottom in rivers and streams. but yes i loose lures. its just gona happen. but 50 buck days??? 10 lures? man i dont loose many to streams they are shallow. but rivers in spring are the lure eaters. its to deep to cross and get em back.
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[Hunt4BigBucks]

Cabelas sells some split rings that release under steady pressure, they look like they would work unless you hook inot a big fish.... I hope this works, but here they are! I have so many rapalas and othe jerkbaits that it would cost me a fortune to put these rings on all my lures[]
Ultimate SmartLink Luresaver System Split Rings






Additional Info [url "javascript:openWindowVideo('/cabelas/en/content/community/product_features/photos/pages/1_fishing/pf_smartlink_int.html', 'remote');"][/url] Never worry again when casting into the heaviest cover. The Ultimate Luresaver retrieves lures instantly from the thickest tangles without spooking fish. When matched properly to your line weight, these innovative titanium split rings won't let loose when catching fish. Yet they release the hook under long, steady pressure so you can save your expensive tackle. Per 6.
Available: [li]Small for 6, 8, or 10-lb. test. (Generally for use on small lures, spinnerbait blades and directly-tied hooks/weights.) [li]Large for 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20 or 30-lb. test. (Generally for use on 2" or larger lures.) [/li]
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[flyanddrive]

Now that is not a bad looking product. I might just have to invest in a few of those to see how well they work.
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[jacksonlaker]

I like using husky jerks for stream trout (made by Rapala). similar action to to floaters, better finishes on the lur, they have a rattle, and when you stop them on a retrieve they sit right there at whatever depth they were at. I rarely loose them to snags like I do with countdowns. 5s and 7s in black/gold or black/silver. I use them here in WY on the Snake, the Green and the south fork. I ALWAYS outfish my flyfishing buddies !!
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[KoldFeet]

I'm gonna try some of those awesome split rings! looks like a great idea, until some hog pulls it off!
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