I have been looking at lures that are about 4-5" long and float, similar to the the rapalla original floating minnow but the heaviest I have been able to find are only 1/2 oz max.

 

I like the rapalla original floating minnow but cannot cast it as far as I'd like, even with V2 slick PP 10lb braid. I'd need to go heavier, but then the lure size starts to get much longer than I need and/or dives too deep. Worse yet most heavier lures are sinking and don't float. I fish for walleye near a lot of rock piles and dead line so I can't exceed 4' depth without risking a snag. With a floater I can keep it above the danger zone but also get far enough out where the fish are.

 

Anybody know of any lures that meet this criteria?

The Shimano World Minnow is 4.5" long and weighs 5/8 oz and has a weight transfer system to optimize weight bias during a cast and then adjusts in the water to a better swimming / jerkbait angle. Depth is listed at 4-6 feet.

Nishine erie 115 top water minnow is a 5/8oz 4.5" floater.  The suspending SD, same weight/length, is one of my favorites of all time, but I haven't personally tried the TW yet.  Pricey, but catches.

 

scott

CRYSTAL MINNOW｜Crystal Minnow｜YO-ZURI｜PRODUCTS｜YO-ZURI

 

R1125

FLOATING

5-1/4" (130mm)

5/8 oz. (19g)

3.5ft. (100cm)

 

Yo-Zuri Crystal 3D Floating Minnow | Bass Pro Shops

 

Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow Floating 130mm | Tackle Warehouse

These look perfect and very affordable. I actually tried a similar YoZuri 1/2 oz while fishing where I'm at and it worked really well for bass but I ran it too deep over a snag and lost it.

21 hours ago, softwateronly said:

Nishine erie 115 top water minnow is a 5/8oz 4.5" floater.  The suspending SD, same weight/length, is one of my favorites of all time, but I haven't personally tried the TW yet.  Pricey, but catches.

 

scott

 

Very elegant looking lures that remind me of walleye fingerlings lol. The price is high for sure but it looks worth it for the TW. Thank you, I will know what to ask for at Bass Pro.

On 4/12/2024 at 12:16 AM, Big Hands said:

The Shimano World Minnow is 4.5" long and weighs 5/8 oz and has a weight transfer system to optimize weight bias during a cast and then adjusts in the water to a better swimming / jerkbait angle. Depth is listed at 4-6 feet.

 

I've seen these and am considering getting one now. They are expensive but look great for fishing. I would definitely be anxious about losing one where I am fishing now but all around I could use these from the kayak or in other places. Shimano really does put out quality.

The Megabass Kanata is 6.33" long and weighs 1 ounce. Runs at 4' deep. You can send one a long ways and it has some awesome action.

 

Megabass also makes the SuWitch that weighs 1-1/8 oz, dives 0-4 feet, is 5.4" long. . . . and it floats!

 

The Duo Realis Fangbait is 5.5" long, weighs 1-3/8 ounces, dives 2-3 feet deep. . . . and it floats!

 

There is also a Lucky Craft Pointer 128 that weighs 1 oz., is 5" long, dives 4-5' and is listed as a 'suspending' bait.

 

I don't have a SuWitch, a Fangbait or a Pointer 128 (I have most other Pointer sizes, but not the 128), so I cannot verify the action, buoyancy, or depth.

Rapala Dt-6 weighs 1/2 oz I believe. Og slim 6s by Rapala are also quite heavy .Both balsa both float.

Most 1.5 squarebills are 1/2oz these days (up from 3/8).  Bagley b1 is 2" and 7/16oz.  

 

+Edit- I see you are looking for a minnow.  

First thing that comes to my mind is the classic Bomber Long A. 

The Cotton Cordell Ripplin Redfin is 7/16 oz for the floating model or the suspending model. 

 

Its not really small but its heavy and doesnt go very deep.

Strike King Hybrid Hunter 3 1/2 inches, weighs 1oz, goes 3-5 feet, not really a lure that comes to mind for walleyes but should work.

 

And it sounds like you are probably using spinning gear maybe?

Just a bit of knowledge, my casting M rod paired with a SLX MGL 70 with 30lb braid could probably cast those lighter floating Rapalas pretty far, so maybe think about upgrading to gear meant to cast light lures farther.

Edited April 15, 20242 yr by MediumMouthBass

On 4/15/2024 at 1:21 PM, MediumMouthBass said:

Its not really small but its heavy and doesnt go very deep.

Strike King Hybrid Hunter 3 1/2 inches, weighs 1oz, goes 3-5 feet, not really a lure that comes to mind for walleyes but should work.

 

And it sounds like you are probably using spinning gear maybe?

Just a bit of knowledge, my casting M rod paired with a SLX MGL 70 with 30lb braid could probably cast those lighter floating Rapalas pretty far, so maybe think about upgrading to gear meant to cast light lures farther.

 

Yeah I am pretty invested in the spinning gear. Using a Shimano Stella 4000 on a light action Shakespeare elite rod. Lure rating is 1/4 oz min so Casting the Rapalla 3/8 is decent but I want to go further out. I caught a 4lb saugeye last weekend using a 1/2 oz diving floater I painted myself by snagging dead line at about 6' deep and she bit it while I was trying to get it loose. Promptly lost the lure after a few more casts sadly... I actually do have a orange hybrid hunter and seen fish stalking it but no bites yet. I will try it out next time I go!

On 4/15/2024 at 1:17 PM, rgasr63 said:

The Cotton Cordell Ripplin Redfin is 7/16 oz for the floating model or the suspending model. 

 

 

I like this one. I will look into getting one next. I somehow snagged the floating minnow this past weekend and don't have it anymore haha

On 4/15/2024 at 12:05 PM, fishballer06 said:

First thing that comes to my mind is the classic Bomber Long A. 

Bomber Long A with the silver flash inserts. I've been using those things since they were first introduced. Big fish crushers . The three hooked one, dont know the model number. Cast easily on bait cast gear with 12 lb test.