I know it looks pretty ugly. That's because it is, but this thing has caught me more big smallmouth than any other bait. It's a Rebel F30s in gold/black. Big smallmouth to me where I live is 3 lbs +. I change out the saltwater hooks for some size two gammies and take off the split ring at the line tie. It floats and doesn't suspend, but I feel that's what gets it bit more than anything. Unlike newer floating jerkbaits, it floats up fast. So fast that with a standard jerk pause jerk jerk retrieve, you have to fish it on fluoro or it won't stay underwater. Its action is unlike other jerk baits which is a very wide wobble as opposed to a tight shimmy when just reeled straight in.

They quit making it for years until recently. So a few years back I had to hit my grandpa up who has crates, yes I said crates of them. I just want to know if they work as well in other waters or just my own. In my opinion you can't find a better bait for plus size smallies when fishing shallow in the warmer months.

Yes they work.

I use a Bagley Bang-O-Lure as well as the Smithwick Rattlin' Rogue during the summer, very few anglers use floating jerkbaits.  The reason I like the Bang-O-Lure is the exact reason you like the Rebel, it has a wide action and floats up fast and yes, it seems to draw strikes from larger fish on average.

I use a Bagley Bang-O-Lure as well as the Smithwick Rattlin' Rogue during the summer, very few anglers use floating jerkbaits.  The reason I like the Bang-O-Lure is the exact reason you like the Rebel, it has a wide action and floats up fast and yes, it seems to draw strikes from larger fish on average.

I'd say the reason most anglers don't use floating jerkbaits is because they are probably the hardest lure to cast . With no weight transfer system, its pretty hard to bomb without helicoptering. It takes a really soft rod and lots of practice.

Smaller version works on schooling LMB. Use a spinning rod.

I've been catching LM and smallies on Rebel Jointed minnows most of my life. I like the jointed because of the action if you twitch them. Great producer for me and my go-to crank bait in clear and slightly stained water for smallies in the conditions you described.

Several years ago, I had guides on Rainy Lake on the MN/Ontario border who recommended that exact bait for smallmouth. I still have a few.

Several years ago, I had guides on Rainy Lake on the MN/Ontario border who recommended that exact bait for smallmouth. I still have a few.

It's definitely an old school bait. I'm glad they started making them again.

Every time I use to throw one crappie would smash them before anything else got as chance to. That's cool that they brought them back.

Several years ago I made a trip into eastern Ontario..  Bass were in spawn/postspawn mode and at the end of the week, this bait was one of the main fish catchers for us..  We also used an F11 Original Floater by Rapala in Gold also..  Those smallmouth up there loved these baits..  

The floating baits are nice in shallow, snaggy bottom rivers. Throw that in a current seam and they'll often crush it with no added action at all. 

The floating baits are nice in shallow, snaggy bottom rivers. Throw that in a current seam and they'll often crush it with no added action at all.

That's where I usually throw it. I have had some good success around post spawn on Bull Shoals lake with it. I get some strange looks from passing floaters on the creeks though. Oh well, I guess.

I still remember when the Rebel was first introduced.

It was a big hit with the jetty jockeys along the Jersey seaboard

because the tough plastic fuselage wasn't destroyed by bluefish.

For freshwater fishing though, I still prefer the balsa wood plugs

like the original floating Rapala and Bagley BangOlure, but they don't cast as well.

 

Roger

I just bought a couple of the new rapala shadow raps.... can't wait to try them..

I just bought a couple of the new rapala shadow raps.... can't wait to try them..

Be interested in your results.