Where and when to use them?

Any place you want, except where you might get hung up, like heavy weeds or reefs.

Anywhere, any time. Springtime is best though.

Throw it deep or shallow. the fish will find it. Not best for heavy cover though.

Rapala calls their X-Rap a "slash bait" not a jerkbait. I think several

other jerkbaits are generally a much better choice. The only size I

use is XR-8 and the only time I fish the lure is when fish are VERY

active.

My best outing ever with the X-Rap was fishing for German Brown

Trout at night on the White River. In less than two hours I had seven

bites and boated five browns over 5 lbs!

8-)

Use X-Raps anytime during the open water season (a little tough fishing it through the ice!). However, as a general guideline, consider long pauses in between each jerk during the cold/cool water periods; decreasing the time between pauses, as the water warms and vice versa during the cool down in the fall.

Curious RW, what are "better" jerkbaits? I don't think there's any differentiation between "slash" baits and "jerk" baits. I believe that's Rapala's marketing attempt at separating itself from the pack is all. I could be wong? I've tried Rogues, Husky Jerks, Bombers and a lot others. Not quite sure what you are referring to, unless you're talking about "soft" jerkbiatss - a whole other animal entirely.

well i live in FL and its hot as satin here so maybe ill try the deep xrap. to get down to those fish. how deep do the regualr xrap go ?

The X-Rap is designed to be fished fast with a "slashing" motion,

perhaps representing a frantic baitfish trying to escape. Jerkbaits,

in my mind at least, are baitfish at ease and unaware of danger.

Video attached: http://www.rapala.com/products/luresdetail.cfm?modelName=x-rap&freshorsalt=Fresh

The best suspending lure is the Pointer, but I fish the Husky Jerk, too.

Like everyone, I started with the Smithwick Rogue and have built a

fairly large collection over the years. However, I don't fish the Rogue

anymore.

Rapala calls their X-Rap a "slash bait" not a jerkbait. I think several

other jerkbaits are generally a much better choice. The only size I

use is XR-8 and the only time I fish the lure is when fish are VERY

active.

My best outing ever with the X-Rap was fishing for German Brown

Trout at night on the White River. In less than two hours I had seven

bites and boated five browns over 5 lbs!

8-)

X2 I'd take a pointer over an x-rap any day...

But to answer the question, I fish x-raps near the end of spring when water temperatures are beginning to warm and the fish are becoming more active. Like RW said they have more of an erratic action that appeal to active fish in warmer temps.

strange I have three pointers and none of them suspend very well compared to the x raps. this is the first year I have been into x raps and they have saved my day several times. I do fish them pretty aggresivly and I typically use the xr 10's I just bought an x rap shad going to try it out tonight.

I really don't believe in "rules" when it comes to fishing certain lures at certain times, but it maybe due to my location, S. Florida!  Nevertheless, I like X-Raps when fish are active (ie. Pre Spawn, Late Fall) . I have a plethora of jerkbaits and Xraps are just as good if not better than other higher priced jerkbaits, but its nice to have a variety and throw different brands to see what the fish are keying on.  They are my go to bait for Peacocks.

X raps seem to work best in the mid spring and in early to mid fall. Aggressive retrieves with some pauses work well with the X Rap, but sometimes long pauses are good. The #8 X - Rap runs about 3' deep, the #10 4 - 5 feet, and the #12 down to about 6 feet. I use X - raps over weedbeds that are deep enough to where I don't get weed monsters every cast, in shallow areas with cover, anytime the fish are shallow and feeding.

The Deep X - rap runs 8 - 10 feet but has a little bit more muted action than the shallow X - rap. Still a good lure though.

The husky jerk and the rogue are more subtle than the x - rap, with the pointer having an action somewhere in between, I carry all of them.

I use the X-Rap and I love it! Definitely a great lure. Good thing about this lure is that its not just for bass. You can use it for salt water too!