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| Angler Outfitters |
Featured Product |
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Rapala X-Rap Slashbait
Dedicated to delivering memorable fishing experiences every time, Rapala has been making
fishing lures, fishing line, fishing rods, fishing reels, hooks, terminal tackle, knives and accessories
for many years. This shouldn't be news to many fishermen/women around the world, Rapala has been in our
tackle boxes since most of us can remember.
In July 2005, Rapala may have out-done itself with the X-Rap Series. In this product review we tested the
Xtreme Action Slashbait™ Saltwater baits. The 2006 X-Rap Series won "Best of Show" at the annual International
Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) in Las Vegas, NV.
Our team of anglers testing this bait included fishing guides from Port Arthur to Port Isabel as well as all
fishermen and women in between. Beginners, intermediate and experienced anglers all tested this bait for Angler Outfitters. We have
also received several reports from customers about how well this bait has been catching fish in both fresh and saltwater.
Here is the data cumulated from our team of 5 testers for this product.
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Color Selection
The colors and patterns for the Rapala X-Rap remind us of Yo-Zuri crank baits, but we think that's where the resemblence ends.
Our testing was done in saltwater so our color selection/preferences we're the colors that designed for Redfish, Tarpon,
and Trout.
Our team's favorite choice of colors include Olive Green(OG), Silver Blue(SB), and Clown(CLN).
As reported by a few customers the Freshwater choice of colors have been the Spotted Minnow(SPM), Blue Sardine(BSRD),
and the Silver Blue(SB).
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Bait Action
There are a few ways to fish the X-Rap. Starting with the casting, simply put, you won't have a problem casting this bait
in any condition - enough said. When retrieving the slashbait you can do a constant retrieve, snap or jerk retrieve. Depending on
the species and water conditions, all of these proved to be effective for catching Trout, Redfish, and Tarpon.
Fishing for trout in cooler months we found the traditional jerk/sweep retrieve produced great hits and catches of Speckled
Trout. Other crank baits might have produced similar results, but no one at the time cared to try anything else because of
the steady action.
A little further south along the coastline, our testing was fast and furious as was our retrieve because of the handful of
tarpon and spanish mackerel that we're slamming the new Rapala. At one point we had 2 spanish mackerel hooked up and a large
tarpon making the drag sing off a 12lb. rigged reel - we were not prepared for that big of a fish and nearly cried when a 6 foot tarpon
jumped and ran off with our new favorite bait.
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Durability and Pricing
The thing we hate about this lure is that we can't show off all the lost paint and teeth marks after a good day of fishing.
The colors and design is protected by a hard, durable, clear coating, so I guess that's good. The baits still look like
they haven't seen much action other than a fish or two.
Priced from $5.99 and up it is an extremely good price compared to other crank baits. At that price it won't break the bank
to add 2-3 to your tackle box.
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