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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Lures and colors deemed worthless in BWCA
 
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cyclones30
03/25/2014 02:40PM
  
It seems like the fishing is normally pretty good (knock on wood) in the b-dub so I won't say these lures have issues there. But, I do have issues with them in general.


In-line spinners not made by panther martin or mepps. (don't spin worth a darn)


Bass Pro branded cranks, never seem to track straight and get out of tune quickly.


Fat raps or shad raps. I can catch anything on originals, xraps, etc but never on these others. They never come out of the boxes now...
 
BobberRob
03/25/2014 10:03AM
  
Never had any luck with a buzz bait...but I still bring it every time I go fishing. More user error than anything else, I'm sure.
 
missmolly
03/25/2014 10:18AM
  
quote BobberRob: "Never had any luck with a buzz bait...but I still bring it every time I go fishing. More user error than anything else, I'm sure."


I caught five muskies in an hour and lost a sixth on a buzz bait. The wind was howling and aligned with a strait and the muskies were bunched there. Twice, I saw two Vs aimed at my buzz bait as two muskies raced to it.


For me, it's the Rattletrap. I've cast them, but never caught anything and it's hard to keep casting when your partner is catching fish on another bait.
 
Waxworm80
03/25/2014 10:57AM
  
Or how about a sonar? anyone?
 
Goby
03/25/2014 11:22AM
  
quote missmolly: "quote BobberRob: "Never had any luck with a buzz bait...but I still bring it every time I go fishing. More user error than anything else, I'm sure."



I caught five muskies in an hour and lost a sixth on a buzz bait. The wind was howling and aligned with a strait and the muskies were bunched there. Twice, I saw two Vs aimed at my buzz bait as two muskies raced to it.



For me, it's the Rattletrap. I've cast them, but never caught anything and it's hard to keep casting when your partner is catching fish on another bait."


+1 on everything you said. I've had some explosive pike fishing with buzz baits, but the conditions have to be right (in my case it was calm and the pike were in the shallows).


I too can't catch fish on a RatL Trap, but this is likely because I don't fish them much...because I've never caught anything on them (its a vicious circle).
 
Savage Voyageur
03/25/2014 09:41AM
  
No you can't use an umbrella rig here in Mn.
I have not found a color fish will not bite on. Some colors I think the fish hit just for something new.
 
Arlo Pankook
03/25/2014 11:57AM
  
quote BearBrown: "Purple Ghost colored X-Rap. (kind of looks like a husky jerk with feathered rear treble hook)



I think I brought it on 4 trips and never caught a fish with it despite trying. In fact, I don't think I have ever caught a fish on an X-Rap. The original rap is far superior and can be fished similarly. Had good luck with Husky Jerks too, so I would never buy one of these expensive lures again. "


+1 I have never caught anything on XRaps. Husky Jerks and Originals for me.
 
MeatGun
03/25/2014 12:01PM
  
I have given the Clackin' Rap much more effort than I would any non-rapala lure that didn't catch fish. Still, goose egg with it. Probably not making the cut this year.
 
Moonman
03/25/2014 11:59AM
  
quote Waxworm80: "Moonman, have you ever tried casting those suspending Smithwick's? I'm curious on how those would be in the cold water for trout. I'm guessing your more into trolling for trout, but I thought I'd ask anyway. I caught a few Pike last year on them, but I'm really looking for the trout bite this year.



As far as the buzz baits go, I fished Ramshead the Spring of 2012(warm year) and pike were hitting it like dolphins on a ball. I have a hard time getting hook sets with buzz baits though. I would rather use a Rage Tail Toad and run it like a buzz bait, or something similar. "


Yes I love rattling rogues for pike and walleyes. I remember when there were hardly any suspending baits. Guys used to doctor their minnow baits by drilling into them and adding water or lead till they suspended just right. The rogues were one of the first commercially available suspending baits. A couple years later a few more companies had them, and then rapala came out with the husky jerk. I pretty much used them over rogues for the most part after that. I still use the largest rogue (I always found it strange that the 'Super Rogue' was actually smaller than the largest size 'regular' rogue) for pike though and it works really well. The neutral bouyancynis the key that triggers strikes, but snap swivels and leaders will mess with it. If you get them suspending neutrally though, they are awesome.


For spring trout though, I've only used them a few times with so so results. Maybe I haven't given them an honest try long enough, but its hard when I know a rapala will do the job.


Moonman.
 
wolfpack21
03/25/2014 12:39PM
  
I had a two rapala xrap sub-walks in my box for a couple years and I thought would be great but I never caught anything on them. They didn't make the cut last year.
 
Moonman
03/25/2014 10:17AM
  
I was just going to start a thread llike this. My choice would be minnow type plugs that are not rapalas for spring trout fishing. Lures like ripplin redfins and bombers, which work great in summer, I find do not work as well in spring. For years I kept bringing them, and I would not get a hit until I changed over to a rapala. Then hit, hit, hit. Our whole crew has noticed this. So on spring trips, those lures no longer make the cut.


Moonman.
 
Waxworm80
03/25/2014 10:41AM
  
Moonman, have you ever tried casting those suspending Smithwick's? I'm curious on how those would be in the cold water for trout. I'm guessing your more into trolling for trout, but I thought I'd ask anyway. I caught a few Pike last year on them, but I'm really looking for the trout bite this year.


As far as the buzz baits go, I fished Ramshead the Spring of 2012(warm year) and pike were hitting it like dolphins on a ball. I have a hard time getting hook sets with buzz baits though. I would rather use a Rage Tail Toad and run it like a buzz bait, or something similar.
 
BearBrown
03/25/2014 11:44AM
  
Purple Ghost colored X-Rap. (kind of looks like a husky jerk with feathered rear treble hook)


I think I brought it on 4 trips and never caught a fish with it despite trying. In fact, I don't think I have ever caught a fish on an X-Rap. The original rap is far superior and can be fished similarly. Had good luck with Husky Jerks too, so I would never buy one of these expensive lures again.
 
Bdubguy
03/25/2014 02:00PM
  
My list would include sub walks and clakin raps. I love buzzbaits, awesome with the right conditions....
 
Doughboy12
03/25/2014 02:22PM
  
quote Waxworm80: "Or how about a sonar? anyone?"
I had a sonar when I was a kid...had teeth marks all over it. Lost it to a big pike eventually.
I am with missmolly on the rattletrap...wait, mine are Rattle Rapps???
 
Waxworm80
03/25/2014 09:32AM
  
Just for fun. Anyone have some lures they would never use again? Maybe some company's. I've never bought one, but watching my bro throw an umbrella rig was hilarious. One cast, one snag, one 20 spot. I don't think you could use them in MN, but that would be mine.
 
254Bow
03/25/2014 12:28PM
  
quote mr.barley: "I have a Johnson silver minnow that has got to be at least 30 years old that I have never caught a fish on. "


Well then, it's due.....
 
nladin
03/25/2014 01:10PM
  
Honestly I never have caught any fish on a crank bait other than a shad rap. It may seem odd but I just have never thrown them much. They don't make the box anymore.
 
starman
03/25/2014 05:59PM
  
I've caught fish on most of the lures people have listed, silver and blue rattle trap - my personal best pike, Johnson silver minnow (and gold)- walleye and pike, mepps spinner - great for smallies. As for the ones listed above as being good not so much. If you have a lure in your box that hasn't brought you much luck is it a bad lure or do you keep thinking its bad and therefore never actually try it?
 
mr.barley
03/25/2014 11:56AM
  
I have a Johnson silver minnow that has got to be at least 30 years old that I have never caught a fish on.
 
Bdubguy
03/25/2014 01:59PM
  
quote Arlo Pankook: "quote BearBrown: "Purple Ghost colored X-Rap. (kind of looks like a husky jerk with feathered rear treble hook)




I think I brought it on 4 trips and never caught a fish with it despite trying. In fact, I don't think I have ever caught a fish on an X-Rap. The original rap is far superior and can be fished similarly. Had good luck with Husky Jerks too, so I would never buy one of these expensive lures again. "



+1 I have never caught anything on XRaps. Husky Jerks and Originals for me. "


+2 yeah, and add shad raps and minnow raps to that list....
 
bassnut
03/25/2014 03:15PM
  
Wow, what a list! I think it is safe to say virtually all lures, under the right conditions, will catch fish. UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS!!!! But if you really look back, and examen what you have caught 95% of all of your fish, that list would be very small. Learn the right conditions for lures. Fishing is fun and very relaxing, and should also educational. Learn when fish feed, how, why. If you don't learn the attributes of a certain lure, you are just buying it because it is pretty. I am done with buying stuff to feed the Jimmy Houston machine!!
 
airmorse
03/25/2014 07:53PM
  
Remember the Bango minnow.
 
Savage Voyageur
03/25/2014 02:19PM
  
quote MeatGun: "I have given the Clackin' Rap much more effort than I would any non-rapala lure that didn't catch fish. Still, goose egg with it. Probably not making the cut this year. "


No idea what the deal is with these. I had great luck with these trolling with these last year. I'm bringing 7 of these this year. I got them on sale at the end of last fall. When I use these I say it's like ringing the dinner because they make a lot of noise.
 
GeoFisher
03/25/2014 09:41PM
  
quote Goby: "quote missmolly: "quote BobberRob: "Never had any luck with a buzz bait...but I still bring it every time I go fishing. More user error than anything else, I'm sure."

I caught five muskies in an hour and lost a sixth on a buzz bait. The wind was howling and aligned with a strait and the muskies were bunched there. Twice, I saw two Vs aimed at my buzz bait as two muskies raced to it.

For me, it's the Rattletrap. I've cast them, but never caught anything and it's hard to keep casting when your partner is catching fish on another bait."

+1 on everything you said. I've had some explosive pike fishing with buzz baits, but the conditions have to be right (in my case it was calm and the pike were in the shallows).

I too can't catch fish on a RatL Trap, but this is likely because I don't fish them much...because I've never caught anything on them (its a vicious circle)."

Man, there are times of the year that I don't put down the rattle trap. That time of year, is quickly approaching.

In all seriousness, I fish a red eye shad, or rattle trap early spring and mid/late fall when the bass are schooled up chasing baitfish on leadin banks, leading to spawning grounds.

There are days that I have to quit throwing it because it wears me out. When the bass are going NUTS, I've caught two fish on the same trap.......one fish on the back hook and a different fish on the front hook.

Fun, FUN.

Later,


Geo
 
analyzer
03/25/2014 11:32PM
  
I have to echo the rat'l trap sentiment. I have never caught a fish on one, and it's not from lack of trying. And I don't just put it on when nothing is biting either. In fact I've done just the opposite. There have been times when we are catching so many fish, I am darn near bored with it... the 100 fish type days... and I'll start experimenting with my non-typical lures in my box, just to see if any of them produce. nada.


I've been on upper red lake, when the walleyes were so hungry, I was catching them on a plain jig head (no minnow, no plastic). Each of us had boated 60-70 fish that day. I casted a rat'l trap for 25-30 minutes straight, and did not get a bite, while my trip-mates were catching walleyes on almost every cast.


I've done the same in the boundary waters. You'd think I'd at least catch a smallie, or a little hammer handle or something. Nope. May as well decorate the christmas tree with them as far as I'm concerned. Xraps aren't far behind.


And yeah, I have a johnson silver spoon that doesn't have a tooth mark on it either. Though I haven't given that as much time.


Original raps for me, thanks.
 
Moonman
03/26/2014 06:26AM
  
quote lundojam: "berkely frenzy crankbait=nothing.
I was in the rattle-baits-don't-work camp for a long time, but then a fishing partner started catching walleyes on a rattlin rap when nothing else would. Since then, it's in my regular rotation. Again, a confidence thing.
Oh, the Risto Rap. Beneath contempt."


My gosh yes, those risto's were awful! And so expensive as well!


Moonman.
 
Huntindave
03/26/2014 06:54AM
  
Any one wishing to rid themselves of those awful non fish catching rattle traps and/or Johnson silver minnows are certainly welcome to ship them to me asap.


I have purchased a few lures over the years that have never produced but some of those lures have been a "novelty item" purchase.


I've even bought a few leeches which never produced a fish. Should have returned those darn leeches. :>) :>)
 
Arlo Pankook
03/25/2014 05:16PM
  
Who's Jimmy Houston? :)
 
bassnut
03/25/2014 05:42PM
  
You know, Jimmy!!! The Al Lindner of the south. His face is on the $1,000 dollar bill.....silly question....
 
kanoes
03/25/2014 07:21PM
  
in general, im a firm believer that if you fish anything long enough youre going to catch fish. when you catch fish it gives you confidence in that lure. when you get confident with a lure you fish it more often, catching more fish.


its all about the amount of time a lure spends in the water. the more time, the more fish, the more often you turn to that lure...thats the circle.
 
Vapper
03/25/2014 11:36PM
  
I get the logic and believe it, but I feel like I have pulled enough ratl-traps through the water to catch at least one fish. Probably me and bad technique and based on the posts in this thread and your logic, I am going keep a place in the tackle box for one or two
 
missmolly
03/26/2014 07:34AM
  
quote bassnut: "Wow, what a list! I think it is safe to say virtually all lures, under the right conditions, will catch fish. UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS!!!! But if you really look back, and examen what you have caught 95% of all of your fish, that list would be very small. Learn the right conditions for lures. Fishing is fun and very relaxing, and should also educational. Learn when fish feed, how, why. If you don't learn the attributes of a certain lure, you are just buying it because it is pretty. I am done with buying stuff to feed the Jimmy Houston machine!!"


Reflecting on what bassnut just wrote, I was on Little Bay de Noc on the north shore of Lake Michigan trying to catch smallmouth as I had the year before, which was the TGO method. We couldn't catch anything, so, as a joke, my fishing bud snapped a Heddon Tiger floater (with stripes!) onto the line, cast it, and the water erupted. It wasn't the Tiger that was key, it was that they were looking up to feed.


Great advice about not feeding the Jimmy Houston machine!
 
lundojam
03/25/2014 10:58PM
  
berkely frenzy crankbait=nothing.
I was in the rattle-baits-don't-work camp for a long time, but then a fishing partner started catching walleyes on a rattlin rap when nothing else would. Since then, it's in my regular rotation. Again, a confidence thing.
Oh, the Risto Rap. Beneath contempt.
 
adludwig
03/25/2014 08:45PM
  
Those blasted Rapala Minnow Spoons! I bought a shiny Clown colored one the first year they came out and I believe I have totaled one hammer handle in all those years. I have grown to hate that lure!