Jerks work better when the pattern matches the hatch. Realistic might be a little far but closer the better. These types o lure also depend a lot on action.

Jerks work better when the pattern matches the hatch. Realistic might be a little far but closer the better. These types o lure also depend a lot on action.

If that's the case, why do I catch a lot of smallies on a "hot steel" Xrap?

Regarding slow cranks, Norman DBN's fished V E R Y slowly, with a lot of stops, work quite well on spring cold water smallmouths.  Not a great search tactic, but if you know the fish are there, try it.

If that's the case, why do I catch a lot of smallies on a "hot steel" Xrap?

I too have had luck with the same color. I see that color though as a walleye/carp imitator with the gold sides which my local lakes and river system have plenty of both so it is a great color.

 

With the shadow rap, I picked up 5 colors that I thought would cover most situations, purpledescent, olive, carbon, yellow perch, and I believe moss back shiner. What is crazy about the bait though is if you look at the thumbnail pics on the TW site a lot of the colors are really similar, surprised that they didn't come out with some more of their brighter patterns like the have in the x rap. 

I too have had luck with the same color. I see that color though as a walleye/carp imitator with the gold sides which my local lakes and river system have plenty of both so it is a great color.

 

With the shadow rap, I picked up 5 colors that I thought would cover most situations, purpledescent, olive, carbon, yellow perch, and I believe moss back shiner. What is crazy about the bait though is if you look at the thumbnail pics on the TW site a lot of the colors are really similar, surprised that they didn't come out with some more of their brighter patterns like the have in the x rap. 

 

IMO, if an angler pays too much attention to color, he runs a high risk of missing the 'real' reason for success or failure.

For example: Place the right lure, at the right depth, at the right speed, on the right retrieve line,

and there is no 'wrong' color. Take away any 1 of the above 4 criteria, and there is no 'right' color.

 

Roger

I feel like its safe to say that almost any bait we buy will usually appeal more to us than it does to the fish. 

Winner!