Clackin Crazy

I just wanted to comment on my fishing buddies success as well as my own throwing some of the new clackin baits from rapala. When the clackin rap and clackin minnow hit the market I thought they would be pike magnets as well as more catered to smallmouth. Just like the x-rap has turned into a great post spawn bait, the clackin minnow now has a few trays in my tacklebox as well. We have been casting this bait to mid range flats in that 4-8 foot depth with some awesome success. It also seems to be turning some bigger fish as well, with some in that mid 20s range. Give this bass bait a try next time out, – QB

I couldn’t agree more, QB. I’ve not been fishing the Clackin Rap but I have been fishing the Rippin Rap in similar situations and everywhere I go the fish have been eating them. And as you mentioned, they do seem to have the ability to produce some of the best fish of the day. Do the pike eat them too? Oh course. Thankfully the fish don’t seem to get the bait all the way in their mouth so bite-offs haven’t been an issue. Yet.

Here’s a video we shot with Paul Delaney out on Sturgeon Bay mid-May that basically reinforces EXACTLY what QB is talking about. Loud baits get bit!

I have a belief that anything with rattles in it draws pike from across the lake. It seems the clackin minnow is getting T-boned in fish’s mouth lately making breakoffs non-existent.

They are a good tool in the tacklebox.

Nice post QB! I’m a fan of them for two primary applications.

Fishing them somewhat like a jig on shallower structure like you are has worked most of the places I go. Everywhere from Rainy to Winnie, the body profile, noise, and color really works well with aggressive shallow fish. Word is that there’s a great Mille Lacs weeds bite going on right now with that bait…can’t think of a better application!

The other method is for fishing wing-dams. While I’ve had a limited chance to try this, it’s worked well when I have. You can sweep the bait across the face of that dam and off the end pretty effectively, and my favorite colors for both lakes and rivers are currently firetiger and red craw.

While I’m using the larger sizes on the river, the smaller sizes have produced better in lakes.

Joel

I agree Joel and the main reason I like this bait is because you have so much control over where the bait goes. I like pitching this bait over rocks and sharp breaks, you can let the bait hit bottom and really carve out what type of structure your are dealing with. Plus with 832 8lb you can cast this bait a mile, thus making it a great search bait. – QB