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Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 8th, 2017, 3:24 pm
by silverking
Rapala sent me a goodie box awhile back with some of the new saltwater X-Rap lures to try. All were rigged with the in-line single hooks instead of trebles.

Have caught some trout on a blue/yellow Subwalk. Sinks to a couple feet with slow twitching action. Haven't had a chance to try the Twitchin' Minnow yet (the mullet pattern).

Just discovered they've added a few more colors, including two of the bread-and-butter baits for our area: pinfish and mullet. Of course, had to buy a couple. Very realistic finishes. The pinfish is the Twitchin' Mullet series (also 1-2 foot dive) and they make a pilchard as well. The Minnow and Mullet both come with small BB rattles. MSRP is $9.99 apiece. The Minnow comes in two different lengths.

Will give some feedback after I've had a chance to try 'em out.
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Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 8th, 2017, 4:18 pm
by Apalachee Inshore
I like the look of the pinfish lure. Interesting.

Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 8th, 2017, 6:15 pm
by Salty Gator
They look good. I'm going to give in line hooks a try on skitteralks. I like the sub walk also, are they in stores yet?

Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 9th, 2017, 7:27 am
by silverking
Salty Gator wrote:They look good. I'm going to give in line hooks a try on skitteralks. I like the sub walk also, are they in stores yet?
Kevin's has them, so they should be out elsewhere. You can also order direct from Rapala.

Rocky and I have both converted Skitter Walks to the in-line hooks and tried them. Much lower hook-up ratios than with trebles. Like several aspects of the single/in-line like safety and less possible damage to the fish. But for the quick reactionary strikes of top water plugs, I'm going to stick with the trebles.

Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 9th, 2017, 9:41 am
by rockyg
Yeah the single hook deal was something I really tried to make work. ( I hate treble hooks for releasing fish and digging out of my palm) :smt010

But, it was only slightly better than no hook at all. :smt011

My current strategy is bent down barbs and only a double hook on the rear. Besides.....Skiterwalks don't work anyway.....you guys should use something else. :wink:

Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 9th, 2017, 10:44 am
by Steve Stinson
What do you guys think about the lures with BB's for rattles? I have not had much luck with them and prefer one-knocker type lures or even no rattle at all over the BB's.

Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 9th, 2017, 10:50 am
by silverking
The Skitter Walks have a single large ball bearing so it makes a lower thump. It also adds casting distance and rolls to the tail for a downward tilt, which the fish find hard to resist. The Subwalks have a single large bearing too.

My personal jury is still out on the BBs but they do increase weight for casting and add some noise. We'll see...

Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 9th, 2017, 12:45 pm
by Salty Gator
Steve Stinson wrote:What do you guys think about the lures with BB's for rattles? I have not had much luck with them and prefer one-knocker type lures or even no rattle at all over the BB's.
Gold floating rattle trap was the lure of choice when we used to fish cedar key. Caught a bunch of reds on them

Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 9th, 2017, 12:53 pm
by Capt Ron
BBs work....Rat-L-Traps have been one of my go to baits for 30-40 years. I particularly like them in stained water. The floating saltwater models are deadly on the flats. I like to burn them , then pause and let them back up. Trout can't stand it!

Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 9th, 2017, 1:57 pm
by rockyg
These fancy plastic lures are over-rated.

I'm going to learn to throw Croaker. https://www.microskiff.com/threads/the- ... ood.46469/


:-D

Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 9th, 2017, 3:15 pm
by Apalachee Inshore
rockyg wrote:These fancy plastic lures are over-rated.

I'm going to learn to throw Croaker. https://www.microskiff.com/threads/the- ... ood.46469/


:-D
I better quit using so much live bait and buy a bunch of chrome skitter walks, I don't want this to happen to me.

Re: Rapala Saltwater X-Rap Series

Posted: August 9th, 2017, 7:52 pm
by Pirate
Not to highjack here but I couldn't resist buying a Live target Mullet and tried it last week. It paid off with 2 twenty two inch and 1 twenty inch trout. Even better news was I didn't get a chance to use it much with all the rain and wind but for time fished it was a winner.