I have a more than a few in my possession, but need to narrow down what I bring this year. I only end up fishing / trolling with these lures about 10% of my fishing time, but still would like to maximize my chances. I'll get a picture posted later and perhaps receive some recommendations.

What sizes and colors do you like best of either or both types of lures?

Casted or trolled most often?

What species is prone to strike the lures you use (i.e. are some more suited for casting for smallies, while others are trolled for walleye / northern)?

Look forward to the input. Thanks!

I like to troll a size 12 gold HJ for walleyes. Purpledescent size 8 SR for trolling is a good lure as well for LT.

I'll use a HJ 10 for top water SMB. A DDHJ 10 is my go to trolling lure with or without snap weights. When the eyes are feeding on yellow perch I'll use a #7 perch shad rap.

AmarilloJim: "I'll use a HJ 10 for top water SMB. A DDHJ 10 is my go to trolling lure with or without snap weights. When the eyes are feeding on yellow perch I'll use a #7 perch shad rap."

On the topwater HJ and trolled DDHJ 10, do you have preferable colors, Amarillo Jim?

The most important thing is when are you going? It doesn't matter what lure you throw if they don't see it.

Bumstead: "

AmarilloJim: "I'll use a HJ 10 for top water SMB. A DDHJ 10 is my go to trolling lure with or without snap weights. When the eyes are feeding on yellow perch I'll use a #7 perch shad rap."

On the topwater HJ and trolled DDHJ 10, do you have preferable colors, Amarillo Jim?"

I don't think it really matters. I generally try to match the forage they are feeding on or go with neutral colors in clear water and bright colors in stained water.

I am not the right person to ask about crankbait colors for 'eyes or bass, as I don't usually fish for 'eyes and I use topwaters or plastics for bass...That being said, I always have silver/black, gold/black, and firetiger in the tackle box.

For trout, I use white, chrome, rainbow trout (I'm not sure if this color is offered in the Shad Rap or HJ), blue/silver, or purple. These colors catch lots of other fish, too.

You dont need less baits. You need a better and lighter storage system thats free.

That's +/- 25 baits. I have shadow raps and xraps mixed in that jar. rubber band the trebles and they roll right out. Just roll the jar until you find the one you want and shake it out.

Husky Jerk 14 gold is my go to crank bait. From bass to lake trout.

BnD: "You dont need less baits. You need a better and lighter storage system thats free.

That's +/- 25 baits. I have shadow raps and xraps mixed in that jar. rubber band the trebles and they roll right out. Just roll the jar until you find the one you want and shake it out."

I do use rubber bands from my kids braces. It works well to keep the lures apart. I remember seeing your picture from last year. That's quite a load inside a one peanut butter jar. LOL

carmike: "I am not the right person to ask about crankbait colors for 'eyes or bass, as I don't usually fish for 'eyes and I use topwaters or plastics for bass...That being said, I always have silver/black, gold/black, and firetiger in the tackle box.


For trout, I use white, chrome, rainbow trout (I'm not sure if this color is offered in the Shad Rap or HJ), blue/silver, or purple. These colors catch lots of other fish, too. "

Thanks for the input. A lot of those colors I have but a few I probably need to try out a bit

Frankie_Paull: "Husky Jerk 14 gold is my go to crank bait. From bass to lake trout. "

Large and gold, thanks for the tip.

Size 10 and 12 Husky Jerks and Down Deep Husky Jerks. Colors should be Firetiger, Silver Chrome/Black Back, Gold Chrome/Black Back, and Gold Chrome/Orange Back.

Size 7, 8, or 9 Shad Raps. Colors should be Firetiger, Purpledescent, Original Siver, Original Gold, Original Blue and Silver.

Size 7 Jointed Shad Rap. Color should be Firetiger.

thanks for response, tbl. I definitely see that purpledescent shad rap recommended a lot. I believe I'll take a Berkley Flicker Shad that I have that is similar.

As good as Husky Jerks and Shadraps are, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t bring a size 9 Rapala Tail Dancer (dives 12-15 feet) in Purpledescent...two in case you lose one. First crankbait I tie on almost every single time...then adjust from there.

thinblueline: "As good as Husky Jerks and Shadraps are, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t bring a size 9 Rapala Tail Dancer (dives 12-15 feet) in Purpledescent...two in case you lose one. First crankbait I tie on almost every single time...then adjust from there."

+1

thinblueline: "As good as Husky Jerks and Shadraps are, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t bring a size 9 Rapala Tail Dancer (dives 12-15 feet) in Purpledescent...two in case you lose one. First crankbait I tie on almost every single time...then adjust from there."

I look at crank baits as tools. They dive to differing depths and depending on how they are made they have different wobbles. Some wobble widely and some are tighter. They also react differently with speed. Some do better pulled slowly while others achieve their best results burned quickly. And then there is the noises they make. Every bait makes noise wether they have rattles or not..........even the hooks and split rings will make some noise. Rattles add substantially and depending on the mood of the fish that may turn them on or off.

The Purple Tail dancer has gotten quite a bit of buzz in angling circles. I own several but after having fished them hard I have settled on the Rainbow trout as the hands down best color IMO overall. But of course that can be a self fulfilling prophecy as it is the one I tend to use ;-) I use the largest size Taildancer BTW.

But as I have mentioned most recently in another thread my surprise bait of the last couple of years has been the Deep Six. I don't quite understand what the walleye find so appealing but if there is such a thing as a magic lure it comes pretty close. Not an especially big lure but it seems to get bit. I have not caught any large walleye on it............but I didn't catch any big walleye on those trips with anything else either so the jury is still out wether it is a big fish bait. It is easy to poo-poo the bait as it is very expensive and a box of Kleenex should be placed within easy reach should a pike take it away. I had great luck with the Sexy shad and its similar color pattern which has a very dark purple back (French Pearl).

Mega bass deep six

Basspro69: "

thinblueline: "As good as Husky Jerks and Shadraps are, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t bring a size 9 Rapala Tail Dancer (dives 12-15 feet) in Purpledescent...two in case you lose one. First crankbait I tie on almost every single time...then adjust from there."

+1"

I've been looking at the tail dancers within the last week. I probably will jump on one or two. Thanks tbl, BP69, and MT -> not sure I'll spring for the Deep Six as I don't troll all that often. Maybe I'd troll more if I had it though :-)

Bumstead: "

Basspro69: "

thinblueline: "As good as Husky Jerks and Shadraps are, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t bring a size 9 Rapala Tail Dancer (dives 12-15 feet) in Purpledescent...two in case you lose one. First crankbait I tie on almost every single time...then adjust from there."

+1"

I've been looking at the tail dancers within the last week. I probably will jump on one or two. Thanks tbl, BP69, and MT -> not sure I'll spring for the Deep Six as I don't troll all that often. Maybe I'd troll more if I had it though :-)"

I use it for trolling but if I had to guess I bet 90% of the guys using this bait probably throw it for bass. Steep dive angle and probably pulls hard, not so sure I would want to chuck this around on spinning gear.

It's awesome though. Just put it behind the boat while your paddling to your next spot to fish. I ALWAYS run something whenever I am actually fishing (as opposed to a travel day). You will be surprised at what you will pick up and learn........the deep six can be trolled very fast if you desire as the wobble is very tight.

All Rapalas are on sale now at Cabelas. 25% off. Not sure how long the sale will last. It's going on for a week or more. I ordered several Tail Dancers.

I could troll or cast a #9 shad-colored shad rap all day and do well on any BWCA species. If the water is stained, I like gold or brighter colors. For trout, I like rainbow trout, but the shad pattern works everywhere.

I usually cast husky jerks and work them quite aggressively with lots of pauses. Pike love that!

I also do well with a black and gold husky jerk...but I have had trips where I do even better with a blue and silver. In fact I always pack a few extra in case my fishing partners get a little cranky if it is catching a lot of fish and they don't have one.

Walleyes are the only fish blind enough to see firetiger and think it is food. If you are targeting them, firetiger won't hurt...

Almost everything in my box is purple, blue, black, natural fish pattern (i.e. bluegill) or silver. I usually use size 10 and smaller. Especially for SMB, a size 11 floating rapala is as big as I will go, but the size 10 HJ casts so much further... I have also had good luck with the #8 and #10 X-Raps, but I might be the only one.

Be careful leaving lures behind. It is a pretty sad feeling to know the perfect lure for this unforeseen circumstance is at home.

Gillcommander: "I also do well with a black and gold husky jerk...but I have had trips where I do even better with a blue and silver. In fact I always pack a few extra in case my fishing partners get a little cranky if it is catching a lot of fish and they don't have one. "

+1

Sometimes people don't want to fish if they aren't catching anything. A few lures to share can save the day.