original rapalas

Just curious what size rapala floaters most guys use when 3 waying them. also if your using 1 or 2 at a time?

From what little 3-waying that I have done I have mostly used number 7’s. I have used number 5’s and 9’s a fair amount of time also. I have also used #11’s on a few outings. If you are looking to stock up on some I would look into getting mostly #7’s and #9’s

If I could own only three artificials they would be original Rapalas in black/gold,blue silver,silver/black.A little smaller earlier in the year a little larger later in the year.

9’s are my favorite. 7’s and 11’s have there place to. So do Rougues and thunderstick jr’s.

Todd, I like running an oringinal Rapala in front of a rattling rogue or similar “noise making” shallow bait, or vice versa. Usually run the rattler first because having a trailer behind the rattler negates a lot of the vibration of the rattler.

Sizes I use mostly sevens and nines, with fives definetly having a place as well. Weather, flow, season, and area I’m fishing all impact sizes and/or combinations of sizes I will use. Couldn’t pick a favorite color, but the three that skunked listed are hard to beat in many situations. If the water is dirty, the orange, firetiger, and other bright colors, as well as very dark colors work well.

O.K. guy’s, I’ve heard of using repala’s on a three way but have never tried it, so I’ve got a couple of questions.

First: Since they are “floaters”, they tend to rise but, the lip would make them dive due to current/forward motion. (The amount of float or dive based on the lenght of the lead.) So, how far up from the wieght are you placing them?

Second: If you use more than one, are you putting them in line or at stagered depths?

Just curious. I figure it might be fun to try something new next time out. Thanks!!!

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O.K. guy’s, I’ve heard of using repala’s on a three way but have never tried it, so I’ve got a couple of questions.

First: Since they are “floaters”, they tend to rise but, the lip would make them dive due to current/forward motion. (The amount of float or dive based on the lenght of the lead.) So, how far up from the wieght are you placing them?

Second: If you use more than one, are you putting them in line or at stagered depths?

Just curious. I figure it might be fun to try something new next time out. Thanks!!!

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I will try to answer some of your questions here.

Depending on water clarity and activeness of fish I USALLY run about 2 feet from the sinker to the swivel.

I have not tried running them in-line, only because I am pretty sure they would tist together and create more of a mess than anything else. I have tried a few time putting a second swivel about another 2 feet up from the last and running a shorter lead to that bait.

It can be a very effective presentation at times

Thanks Eric! I’ve got some old floater Rapala’s that I don’t use very much, so I might just have to give them a try next time out.

Speed,
As a rule I use one bait about 12-14″ above the dropper weight to start with, generally about 3′ back. If you are snagging bottom, you can lengthen the leader or increase dropper length. I run as much as a 6′ leader when fishing wing dams, and maybe a 24″ dropper, depending on current, steepness of the dam face, and speed I am moving. Probably average 18″ dropper and 4′ leader for wing dams.
For pulling double raps, I use about a 3′ lead to the first crank, then tie to the back ring of the first crank, 2′ back to the second. They work suprisingly tange free unless there is a lot of grass, weeds, or floaters in the water! In my limited experience with double raps, I believe it is quite important to keep some foreward movement, or at least hold solidly agaisnt the current, or you will run into problems with tanging! I use 20# power pro line for my crank 3 waying rods, then use 10 or 15# flurocarbon for the crank leads, and 10# mono for the dropper weight. I like to tie up lots of leads and droppers and have them ready to go with snap swivels attached, so I can change lead length, drop length, and weight with the quick change of a snap. This is espically handy when the water and weather gets colder!
Good luck and let us know how ya do!

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Todd, I like running an oringinal Rapala in front of a rattling rogue or similar “noise making” shallow bait, or vice versa. Usually run the rattler first because having a trailer behind the rattler negates a lot of the vibration of the rattler.

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I got that backwards on my original post. I run the rattler in back most often, as the rattle works well still, and the other bait has a very subtle movement!

Thanks for the info guys.

A few years ago at Red Wing we were trolling three ways and floating raps without much luck- atleast not enough to keep at it. Well we anchored up at the dam on a current seam and doing good jigging eaters. I put the three way down on the bottom I think just because it was in the way, after about 5 minutes it got smacked so hard and bammo a nice 20″ sauger, well before you know it we are trolling those three ways up that current seam moving around the anchor boys and out fishing them in size and numbers. The next day it got even better. Anyways its a good story about trying different stuff and lucky success you get by just trying…..