The Scatter Rap has been out a few years now and I didn't find a lot of old posts mentioning their use (maybe that tells me all I need to know...) They need to be retrieved quickly to get proper action so I'm thinking that time of year is important. I'll be heading up in early June and I'm considering throwing a few in the box. Has anyone had success fishing them? Minnow or shad pattern?

I have tried them locally with decent success but ill be bringing a few up as well. The only thing i dont like about them is that they are made of balsa wood and very difficult to cast far unless using very light line. I think they will be great fir trolling though.

Agree with LukeB. I like trolling with them.

I have had good results using the fire tiger pattern. The casting distance wasn't an issue for me. I did have the diving lip come off of a somewhat newer one and sent it back to Rapala for a replacement and they replaced it without any proof of purchase. It will definitely make the trek up north with me this year. ~JOE~

OK.......what's the problem using light line in canoe country especially early in the year? Longer rods excel in loading and casting light line and balsa type lures. Can anything replicate the action of balsa? Not really........

I like plastic later in the year when the water clouds up a bit.......plastic cranks usually have more aggressive action and typically have rattles and I despise rattles early in the year when quiet is king.

I have landed plenty of 5lb bass on 4lb XT early in the year before the weeds grow in. Typically when anglers have issues using ultra light line there are a number of culprits in play. Often they depend on a drag system......that's the first mistake. Drags need to be tight at first on long casts to set the hook but then when the fish gets close a good run is made and the line parts. Much better to master back reeling.......crank the drag as tight as it will go and turn off your anti reverse. You will have ultimate control and no loss of concentration while your fumbling and bumbling adjusting a drag while a big fish makes fun of you. If the fish power dives at the boat, common with large pike, then just let go of the handle. Your handle will spin around 4 or 5 revolutions and often the fish stops running when the pressure is off.

The second issue is wrong equipment, especially the rod. Rods need length to absorb the punishing runs big fish can dish out. 8 ft is about right but. 7' 6" will also do well (be careful not to hook anyone behind you). Such a set up will fling light stuff like a balsa lure of or an 1/8 oz jig and 4" straight tail robo worm (deadly on smallies) a country mile.

And what about line? I fish trilene 4lb XT with great success but if I fish a copolymer line I will move up to 6lb. ( trilene XT breaks above its stated lb test).


And lastly lots of guys fail because their connection has poor physics. Small diameter line does not typically tie well to things larger in diameter. A few solutions......acquire a tie fast knot tying tool and learn to tie the gryp knot. A knot unlike any other it excels in tying to diameters larger than the line. Remember the lighter the line the more wraps on the tool....6lb gets 6 wraps and 50lb gets 3 wraps. Not keen on a knot tying tool (introduced to me by the best snapper fisherman I ever knew) the a "fas snap" is the way to go.........used a lot by fly fishermen the fas snap is a wonderful connection to cranks (I remove split rings on walleye cranks and use fas snaps exclusively). I know the fas snaps look flimsy but I have never had one fail........of course I am using them with light lines.....4,6 and 8 lb tests. They are superior to tying to the double wire of split rings with lighter lb tests.

MT

I've used scatter raps in Quetico with success, but only when the fish are shallow. when the water warms and the fish are deeper, I use deep diving crank baits and troll. The scatter raps will still work on summer evenings when the fish come up shallower to feed. They have great action. I think I use a perch pattern.

Terry.

I have not tried them. I usually provide my own random action by twitching the rod tip and throwing a little slack. Maybe I'm missing something?

I have a brand new shad scatter rap in my box for this year. The video of the action of this lure looks promising. I will work this one hard for smallmouth bass.

I haven't used them in the BWCA, but they caught fish in Quetico. But then again, what doesn't? :)

I've also had nights near home (central Minnesota) where Scatter Raps were the only thing the fish would bite. Same color, same size, in a Husky Jerk or a Shad Rap...nothing.