What model, size and pattern  Rapalas do you consider to be your best producer?  I have numerous lures,

in a variety of shapes and sizes, but I've caught very few fish on Rapalas.  I know some people swear by them. Maybe I don't know how to fish them or I am fishing them in the wrong places.  When I go out,

plastics and spinners do the best for me, although I do give the Rapala a try, almost everytime. They just

don't seem to produce for me.  The array in the tackle shop is absolutely overwhelming.  Maybe I've purchased all the wrong ones but when I look at them I try to "think like a fish", ie, what baitfish is in the lake, what sizes, what would I like if I were a bass.  Do you guys have any favourites or top producers?

I usually use a perch or silver/black one. The size i use has 2 trebles and is about 3 inches long.

There 's no such thing as "most" effective, all Rapalas catch fish. My favorite is the Shad Rap in all it 's variants ( Shallow, RS, Glass, original SR ), but that doesn 't mean it 's the most effective, it simply means it 's my favorite and because I can have several functions within the same type of lure. Another favorite is the Shallow Fat Rap, discontinued many years ago and last but not least, the original floating minnow, with those I can catch fish anywhere.

The Shad Rap and DT series are outstanding,but I've caught more with an original floater in silver w/black back than any other hardbait.

The Shad Rap and DT series are outstanding,but I've caught more with an original floater in silver w/black back than any other hardbait.

I agree, although the shad rap isn't far behind.

Is there a specific technique or trick I might be missing?  I try to vary the retrieve, fast, slow, etc, jerk it left right, pause it. Some times I try reeling it straight back.  Anyone had any success with the X-raps?

gold x-rap 10 is my most productive of crank/jerk baits

I like a jerk jerk pause retrieve

Is there a specific technique or trick I might be missing?  I try to vary the retrieve, fast, slow, etc, jerk it left right, pause it. Some times I try reeling it straight back.  Anyone had any success with the X-raps?

Specific techniques -

Rapala Floater:  I don't think there is a bad way to fish this lure.  It has been a proven fish catcher for decades.  I have two "methods" that I use most of the time.  These are not in order of preference.  Number one is to fish it as a surface jerkbait.  Throw the bait out near cover, or over the top of vegetation, and let it sit for 15 - 30 seconds.  Give it a slight twitch.  Let it sit again for a few seconds.  Then retrieve it to the boat in a jerk, jerk, pause sequence.  None of this has to be exactly as I've described it.  For instance, try 3 jerks and a 5 second pause.  The patience at the beginning is crucial in my opinion.  You would be amazed how many bass will strike the lure after that first twitch.  Number two begins just like number one.  You let it sit and then give it a twitch, and then let it sit some more.  Then you retrieve it like a shallow crankbait with a moderate retrieve, giving it a jerk every few seconds or so.  Fishing it like a shallow crankbait seems to give me more numbers but smaller fish.  Fishing it slow like a jerkbait results in larger fish.  

Rapala Shad Rap:  I fish this similar to number two above for the floater.  Sometimes I do it fast with more jerks and sometimes I slow it down.  This lure works great when fished through breaks in weedy areas and over the tops of vegetation.  It isn't the best crankbait for banging into wood to entice a strike, due to the curvature of the lip, but it can be done with care.    

Fish the X-rap with a jerkbait retrieve as already stated in another post.  One way to fish it is with two or three snapping jerks followed by a pause.  Another way is to make the jerks more of a sweeping motion and then again, the pause.  And yes, it works in the right place at the right time also.  

i think that the most effective rapala is the rattlin rap. it seems i've had more fish on this bait than most other baits

Rapala produces many GREAT plugs, but each one is pretty much situation-intensive.

Though it's not possible to choose one best rapala, I do have a favorite rapala.

Over the years, the rapala that caught the most bass for me is the "Rapala Original Floater".

After splashdown, I try to wait until the ripples have almost disappeared,

then give it one faint twitch. If I do it right, the lure sort of twitches in place

without moving off spot. After the first twitch, I'll wait another 20 seconds

then maybe impart a double-twitch, but again a soft, gentle twitch

that barely advances the lure. After the second twitch my interest in that cast rapidly wanes,

and after about the third twitch, I've already picked out the next target,

so I'm thinking about burning the lure back to the boat for the next cast.

On average, the rapala original floater is at its best in low-light when the surface is mirror-flat.

Roger

I guess the Original is the one I've caught the most fish on.In general I think the Rapala line of baits for the money is outstanding.I use the DT series,Shadraps,Huskyjerks,Glassraps,pretty much all of them for different situations.

If I could just keep the darn pickerels away I'd say the perch colored shallow Shad Rap is my favorite. It seems in my area the bigger bass go more for 'em than the small pesky yearlings that hit other lures I like. The flat profile helps hook retention where fatter crankbaits my inhibit good hook penetration. The jointed Minnows work well here in Massachusetts for larger fish. I used to like the old wood Fat Raps but have lost my last. They were good for the big'uns! Floating- top water techniques used for all the floaters ie. cast wait twitch wait twitch then slow erratic retrieve. ( I fish weedy ponds almost exclusively in eastern Mass.)

G.

I agree with some of the other guys. The original floater catches fish anywhere!

Rapala produces many GREAT plugs, but each one is pretty much situation-intensive.

Though it's not possible to choose one best rapala, I do have a favorite rapala.

Over the years, the rapala that caught the most bass for me is the "Rapala Original Floater".

After splashdown, I try to wait until the ripples have almost disappeared,

then give it one faint twitch. If I do it right, the lure sort of twitches in place

without moving off spot. After the first twitch, I'll wait another 20 seconds

then maybe impart a double-twitch, but again a soft, gentle twitch

that barely advances the lure. After the second twitch my interest in that cast rapidly wanes,

and after about the third twitch, I've already picked out the next target,

so I'm thinking about burning the lure back to the boat for the next cast.

On average, the rapala original floater is at its best in low-light when the surface is mirror-flat.

Roger

This is exactly how i like to fish the original floater. The floaters are very versitile, the smallest one the make on ultra lite gear is a fun way to catch Rock bass. And then the medium sized ones are great for smallmouth, and the huge ones are great for Northern Pike.