July 22, 2009

Tales Of Desperation On The Lake

Fishing on the wrong day

Lately, it never seems to fail that each time I plan a day that I am going fishing, about 90% of the time, a front seems to move through 24 hours beforehand. My usual scenario is that I need to be on the water at first light...yes it's exhausting, but it's like religion. You just have to.

Whether it be on a Saturday or Sunday morning, there are always thunderstorms that roll through the night before. Without fail. Even if its not even in the forecast. And as we all know, the result is always this:


The infamous "bluebird sky", where the fish are spooky and can see you coming from a mile away...even if the water is as stained as a baby's diaper. And not even a single breeze to break the mirror reflection on the water.

Granted, most of the times later in the day the wind does pick up, but the fishing usually doesn't. I have never considered myself a good fisherman, just someone that loves fishing. To the point where you will try everything you have for 8 hours straight in hopes of catching a measly bluegill.


Now I have done my share of reading of some general fishing tips and techniques for these types of situtations... "downsize your baits"...."natural colors"...blah blah blah. I guess my problem is that I usually ignore it. Since I usually like to target the hungry fish, instead of working the edge of a lilypad for 20 minutes to try to figure out if the fish that is nibbling on your 4" downsized wussy worm is a sunny, or a lunker largemouth.


My other problem is I just have so many Rapala lures...and dammit, I just flat out want to use them, and more importantly, catch fish with them. Each day starts out with assembling a pile of Rapalas that I know i want to use, usually because they've worked before. Of course the first lure you always grab has 9 other lures attached to it.



Typically when it comes to fishing, I am pretty patient...actually stubborn is probably more like it. But when it comes to lure patterns and when nothing is working...that's when desperation starts to slowly creep in, and the bottom of your boat is littered with baits you've already used, and the next batch of baits you're going to use.






These are usually the days you wish you invested in a 'Color-C-Lector', so you wouldnt be flying around blind, deciding to use a Bleeding Olive pattern one minute, a Hot Tiger the next, and good 'ole Gold the next. I guess it wouldnt matter anyway, since I would probably ignore any said advice, and keep rummaging through my 8 Plano boxes of Rapalas looking for the next gem.

Shallow Shad Rap or SR-5? Original Floater in F-11 or F-13? Countdown in CD-7 or CD-9? SureSet or non Sure-Set model? Jointed Shad Rap or Jointed Floater? Husky 13 off that point? Husky Jerk by the rip-rap? Throw a Japan Special next to that stump? (maybe some other time)


By the end of the day, it usually takes me about 30 minutes or longer to put back all of my baits back into their respective boxes. The bottom of my canoe is littered with failed casts.

Having too many Rapalas will do that. But at least I know I have the right bait in there....somewhere. That's what makes it all fun.


July 21, 2009

Rapala Resorts To Thuggery

Now this is something that has certainly come out of left field.

After all of my previous posts all dealt with the 2010 offerings dealing with 'Trolls-To' this and 'Flat' that, I was very surprised to find something new when I went to check Rapala.com today.

Little did I know that I would stumble across something that I hadn't seen before...again. The new Dives-To Thug, or "DT-THUG", equipped with SureSet hooks and a dizzying array of a total of 16 color patterns, including two new ones: Helsinki Shad and Regal Shad.

Looks like I'm going to need a larger tackle box.



July 9, 2009

2010 Rapala Lures... Part 3!

It's Official....

Just happened to be on Rapala.com today (surprise, surprise), and lo and behold, the lures I'd been talking about have finally made their 'debut'!

For me, I don't believe which colors the USA is getting until I see the colors listed on Rapala.com...and there is a LOT of them!

Each new line is getting the same 12 patterns, and each lure is being offered in two different sizes. So with that. these are the official patterns we can expect to see (soon, I hope...I love those Flat Raps!)


Photobucket

Photobucket


Photobucket
Photobucket


If anyone sees these is stores anytime soon, be sure to drop me a line and let me know where!

July 7, 2009

2010 Rapala Lures....Part 2!

Well after my last post, a friend of mine was able to supply me with additional pictures & some more info on the newer stuff coming from Rapala, at least in the European market.

Trolls-To Minnow
Photobucket

And in these pics below are up close and personal looks at the Trolls-To in patterns Clown, Silver Blue, and FireTiger -

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket



Flat Rap

Also, here is the catalog photo of the patterns the new Flat Rap will be available in:
Photobucket


And a close up look at a Flat Rap in an old favorite, Perch:

Photobucket




Old Faces, New Faces...New Colors!

With the advent of 2010, comes some new patterns on some old lures, as well as new ones on newer models -

"GALB" - Gold Albernus,
as show on a Shad Rap -
Photobucket


And a closer look -

Photobucket



"ALB", or Bleak,
previously only seen on Shad Raps, now on Countdowns -
Photobucket



"RUCW", or Rusty Crawdad,
shown on the X-Rap...
Photobucket


"RDP", Red Perch, X-Rap SubWalk
Photobucket


"GSH", Green Shiner, Glidin' Rap
Photobucket



I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into the near future.
Special thanks to my friend Andy from Denmark, one of our many great members over at RapalaNation - I could not have presented this without his help!

July 3, 2009

Sneak Peek! New 2010 Rapala Lures!

First off, if it's one thing I learned in very short time, it is that Europe and the rest of the world gets all the best models and colors.

That being said, they are also already privy to the selection of new colors and lure models for 2010. Thankfully, my site members span the globe, and they are usually the first to report such news of new releases. I can't take credit for digging this up, I'm merely reposting what they posted.

Actually, this first part was taken from a recent In-Fisherman magazine, so I guess not all of what I had just said is true. The following are the new models coming out for 2010, that I know of.

Flat Rap

Photobucket


The Flat Rap is a flat-sided lure
with a triangle lip, designed for long- casts, distinctive action, and easy defltection off stumps and rocks. They will be available in 3 1/8 and 4" model, with 12 total colors.







Trolls-To Minnow & Trolls-To Shad

Photobucket


These lures can reach depths of 15' to 20', using 100 feet of 10lb mono. These lures also feature flat sides and large lips, These will also be available in 12 color patterns as well.








Below is a picture of some of these new lures that my friend from Europe was able to acquire already; you can see in this photo pics of the Trolls-To Minnow in 15 & 20, as well as a Perch Flat Rap.


I also have some photos below that were taken from the 2010 Rapala Master Catalog in Europe. Also new for 2010 is the 'Max Rap', which to me looks like a much larger version of a Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow.


New for 2010, the 'MaxRap'
Photobucket


Below is the write up as it displays in the catalog:





"Tip to tail everything about the MaxRap is premium. Designed for maximum casting distance, the MaxRap features an aerodynamic shape that combines with its patented internal MaxCast mechanism to deliver unbelievable distance in every cast. Complimented with every imaginable maximum feature like laser engraved scales, VMC Spark Point hooks, and superior quality components. Rip it for darting, wild searching action or straight retreive for hard flashing 'wounded minnow' Rapala wobble. "



Internal MaxCast mechanism / Balanced with tungsten balls for MaxCasting distance and accuracy / Aerodynamic body shape /
Internal laser engraved scales / Premium Spark Point nickel VMC hooks /
Suspending / Oval line tie / Deep 3D holographic eyes /
Hand tuned & tank tested / Running depth = 0.3-0.6 meters
MXR13 / 13cm / 3 No.6 hooks / 8 color patterns:
FAYU - Flake Ayu
FG - Flake Green
FHC - Flake Hot Chartreuse
FRH - Flake RedHead
FB - Flake Blue
FPGH - Flake Purple Ghost
FS - Flake Silver
FHS - Flake Hot Steel





And lastly, below are some new color patterns available in the Team Esko,the Mini Fat Rap, which is also alive and well in other parts of the world, and new patterns available on the Sliver.



New Team Esko colors

Photobucket



New BTR 'Brook Trout' Mini Fat Rap

Photobucket



New Sliver colors


Photobucket



I hope you enjoyed this little sneak peak into what is coming in the near future for Rapala, I will supply more information as I can get it. For more info on Rapalas like these and other cool stuff, before sure to drop by RapalaNation!