Rappin on Red (Outdoors Weekly Article)

[Spinach]

When we assess the world of crankbait fishing there are options galore. It can be at times one of the most versatile presentations to ever hit the water. Whether you are trolling or casting and retrieving, crankbait fishing, especially for walleyes, can make all the difference in the world. Sure there is a time and place for everything, but it?s almost time and do we have the place.

Upper Red Lake, that has been closed to walleye fishing for nearly a decade due to over harvest, is on the brink of re-opening to anglers. With a two walleye limit imposed and a protected slot of 17-26 inches, with one over 26 inches, the numbers of walleyes available are staggering. We are all chomping at the bit to cast, troll, and twitch Shad Raps, Husky Jerks, X-Raps. and Twitchin Raps in every nook and cranny of Upper Red Lake.
 Most of the present systems of crankbait fishing will apply to today?s technology, but case in point, there are styles, presentations, variations and colors that can be applied to the Upper Red Lake fishery that will almost guarantee success. With the vastness of the Upper Red Lake system it only makes sense, that at times, being mobile and finding hungry walleyes by casting or trolling will be the ticket.


When fishing stained water, which is found throughout Upper Red Lake, there are color patterns that will be predominant over others. We have learned throughout the years of fishing walleyes on similar bodies of water that not only color, size and sound can trigger walleyes into biting. Color of crankbaits can be deceptive and some of the old stand-bys will work, but some of the new color patterns introduced by Rapala the past two seasons are awesome. Shad Raps that can be trolled or cast come in a variety of fish catching colors. Some of my favorites in stained water are the Clown, Firetiger, Hot Steel, Purpledescent, and Silver Fluorescent Chartreuse. The Hot Steel and Purpledescent were particularly hot last season and at times outproduced other colors 3 to 1.


With the depths of Upper Red Lake averaging less than 10 feet, the need to require large deep diving baits is not necessary. Numbers 5, 7 and maybe an 8 at times, will be all the sizes that you will need. There are a lot of shallow rocky areas on Upper Red that the walleyes seem to favor and for that the #5 trolled tantalizing over these scattered rocks will drive walleyes crazy. The #7 likewise will be lethal on the outside edges in 7-9 feet, but will also be deadly cast from an anchored position or slowly moving your boat with the use of your bow mount trolling motor along the edges of the rocks and weeds and pitching and retrieving.


Glass Shad Raps are also equally important in stained water with its blend of color and added flash. A few of the colors that have worked well for us are the Citrus Shad, Purple Shad and the Purple Sunfire. Glass Shad Raps are extremely effective in stained water on sunny days, which further illuminates the bait.


Jointed Shad Raps can be most often trolled at slower speed, which is ideal for colder water situations, can add an additional weapon to your arsenal. I particularly like the Jointed Shad Raps trolled slowly over the tops of rocks and weeds, varying the speed and pushing the rod tip back a few feet to make the bait pause and lunge forward. This last presentation can be used with almost any Rapala when trolled at different speeds.


Rattlin? Suspending Shad Raps implement the mix of color and sound that can be devastating in stained water situations. Its suspending qualities can be a triggering aspect whether trolled or cast. I like to set up on shoreline structure and make long casts and start and stop the bait nearly all the way back to the boat. The color combinations that are especially effective are the Firetiger, Crawdad, Perch and Silver-Gold.


Taildancers have a special place in the mix and provide a slightly different swimming action. The number #5?s and #7?s are extremely effective in shallow water conditions. This has been a proven walleye catcher when trolled at varying speeds and given a chance I know it will find a place in your box. Good colors in stained water have been the Hot Chub and Perch.


Let?s not forget the shallow water phenomenons, the Husky Jerks and X-Raps. Both are effective baits trolled in shallow water, but their true effectiveness is cast and retrieved. Changing speeds, twitching, stop and start, or just straight retrieving can make these two baits the best of the best when properly fished in shallow water situations. With noise producing rattles carefully placed in the right areas of the bait, and knockout lifelike colors, it?s no wonder these are two of the best selling minnow type crankbaits for a wide variety of species. Make no mistake the last few years since their inception, Husky Jerks and X- Raps have brought many a walleye to the boat and will continue to do so.


As you can see there are a wide array of choices, but if you are a crankbait fanatic and love to provide constant action for yourself and anyone else that fishes with you, before you head to Upper Red Lake for the historical re-opening of a walleye fishery that will be like going on a Canadian Fly-out trip, arm your self with several of the mentioned baits and I know it will be a memorable experience.


Call Tom to talk fishing or to book a guided fishing trip in northern Minnesota. His number is 218-327-2312 or visit www.mnfishingpros.com

? 2006 Outdoors Weekly Corporation