I can thank rapala. (And the owner of the pond ) 

Last Rapala I bought that I am still happy with was a #5 Shad Rap in bluegill. They can keep all the rest of them. 

Original floating Rapala, and the Shad Rap.

I think I can safely say that a Rapala is tied on at all times for me. Particularly in small ponds,,an original floater in silver/black, perch, or brown trout finish, size 9 or 11 are deadly baits. Retrieve and twitch, absolutely irresistible

4 hours ago, edfitzvb said:

I think I can safely say that a Rapala is tied on at all times for me. Particularly in small ponds,,an original floater in silver/black, perch, or brown trout finish, size 9 or 11 are deadly baits. Retrieve and twitch, absolutely irresistible

I really counldnt agree more . 

Favorite #1 - for numbers, in stained to muddy water:  Crankin' Rap No. 3 or 5 in firetiger.  Without much exaggeration, in our stained Georgia ponds, this lure produces almost every time out over most of the year.  No idea why it appears the crankin rap series is being discontinued.  Am I the only one that likes them?

Favorite #2 - numbers, clear to stained: Jointed Shallow Shad Rap 08 in any of the "shad" colors.  Been an effective reaction bait for me, even in hot summer conditions.  Easy to work: crank and wind.  Pause if you feel like it.

Favorite #3 - for fun: Skitterwalk 08 shad translucent.  First walking bait I ever tried and caught on.  Still the best producing walker for me.  Love the shad translucent pattern.

Honestly, love all the rest: the controversial scatter raps (like the shads, the cranks, the crank shallows), DT-fat and DT-flat, rattlin' raps, flat raps, x-rap props, and of course original floating and countdown minnows.

 

I've been having really good luck on shadow raps lately

Original floater 7 or 9 gold/black back or silver/black back