Rapalas?

flying scotsman · Aug-22-2007, 03:55 PM

Guys,
I'm thinking about switching to rapalas to troll for Yellowtail / Dorado etc instead of Dines. Any advice on type, trolling speed etc much appreciated.

Tight lines
TFS

Luhr'd Away · Aug-22-2007, 05:27 PM

Make sure you use a swivel so the line does not tangle. We have had good luck, but troll a multitude of rigs.

h3oboy · Aug-22-2007, 05:38 PM

CD14 and CD11 Mackeral, Sardine and Purple/Black also I run the new xrap bonito

Afry · Aug-22-2007, 05:58 PM

Size determines speed, the smaller ones need to be trolled slower so they don't skip on the surface.

I usually troll a cd14 around 4-5.5 knots unless it's in a spread with feathers or cedar plugs then I usually don't exceed 7 knots and use a flatline clip.

First you have to check the old school rapalas with the metal bills to make sure they track straight. I just hang em over the side at a slow speed and see if they run straight, if not you need to twist the metal bill (just a little) untill it tracks straight. You might have to recheck them after a hookup.

Keep an eye on the rod tip while trolling - it should vibrate. If not, then you need to reel it in and clean the kelp off it.

I like a small 30-40# Spro snap swivel for my Rapalas. I've read they screw up the swim motion but not with these small ones.

Blue/white mack pattern is the Yellowtail killer.

I've had good luck with naked cedar plugs and on bright surface feathers with cupped heads on dodo's. Rapalas...not so much.

iclypso · Aug-23-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afry

First you have to check the old school rapalas with the metal bills to make sure they track straight. I just hang em over the side at a slow speed and see if they run straight, if not you need to twist the metal bill (just a little) untill it tracks straight. You might have to recheck them after a hookup.

I don't think that you can beat the Rapala brand for swimming action but Yo-zuri Hydro-mags work great and you don't have to worry about tuning them.

tunanorth · Aug-24-2007, 06:20 PM

The new Rapala X-Raps do not need any tuning out of the box, even for higher speeds.
XR-30 will swim well on 60 or 80 pound line, the XR-20 is good on 50 or 60, and the XR-15 is really best on 30 pound or less.
Colors are more vibrant too.

Fishing Addict · Aug-25-2007, 11:26 PM

I like the Yo-Zuri Hydro mags better than the Rapalas. However, the Rapalas I own preform well too.

The best color I have found for Yellowtail. Is the Hydromag (7in) in green/gold mack. Simply a Yellowtail killer.

As for Rapalas... B/P, bluemack, greenmack, and sardine in CD14 are all great.

Trolling speeds are higher with the Yo-Zuri hydros. They label them as high speed trolling lures.

RON.JACOBSON · Jul-02-2009, 03:00 PM

(RAPALA KNOT) IT'S IN THE BOX PAMPHLET. #11 & 14'S GREEN OR BLUE TIGERS WORK WELL 6-9 KNOTS HELL THEY ALL WORK BUT USE THE REPALA KNOT SO IT CAN SWIM FREE.

tunanorth · Jul-11-2009, 11:15 AM

With the metal-lipped "magnum" Rapalas, you do need to know the "trick" on how to "tune" them for speeds in the 6-9 knot range.
However, the newer [plastic-lipped] "X-Rap" series is made to troll at higher speeds straight out of the box.
The X-Raps in either the green mackerel or blue mackerel are the best all around colors for yellowtail, the bonito color is usually best offshore for albacore and bluefin, and the spotted minnow color is very good inshore around the East Cape.
XR-30 size= bluefin and yellowtail
XR-20 size= inshore yellowtail and albacore
XR-15 size= inshore from Santa Barbara and all the way south, and also albacore when feeding on smaller baits.