Opening weekend here on Rainy Lake delivers in a big way for our customers. I had the pleasure of fishing with Bob and Martin both Saturday and Sunday who stayed at the Thunderbird Lodge. We met at 7 am for breakfast and talked strategy while I did my best to highlight precisely our game plan and philosophy behind our fishing presentations. Neither Bob or Martin had experience fishing Rapalas and frankly were a bit hesitant to spend the opening weekend Hucking baits verus soaking them. I can’t say I blame them for wondering how this might play out versus the 95% of anglers who will be fishing a slow pattern due to cool water. Lindy rigs, Spinner rigs and small jigs and minnows were certainly the highly popular choices in attempts to turn early May fish. Still as we knocked down our “Flapjacks” and thoroughly enjoyed our morning coffee overlooking Rainy Lake as I discussed working the “Max Raps” for the bigger fish.
A week ago I mentioned in the coming days I believe areas of Rainy Lake may experience a “Gamechanging” bug hatch due to warming surface temps. That couldn’t have been more “SPOT ON” as water warmed and the bugs hatched. We effectively dialed in a pattern in which bugs were emerging out of the mud and the perch were in there targeting the hatch. The big “Gamefish” of Rainy Lake had effficiently located the pods of food and were found to be devouring not only those perch, but also the bugs. That hatch was found in many areas of the lake, and we were able to duplicate our success by matching conditions with water temperatures and bottom content in several areas we fished over the weekend. Water temps reaching 55 degrees and higher in 4-7 f.o.w. with scattered boulders, emerging weeds and a Mud/sand bottom content were GOLDEN!! Now add a favorable wind and our Rapala line up took a serious beating!!
I felt very confident that we’d do well considering the stage of our fishery concerning water temperatures alone. Our water levels have been climbing in which I also LOVE. The lake played nice with us and delivered a strong wind funneling the fish in pockets which we were able to locate in a search and destroy method. Strong winds my hinder the fisherman, but the fish LOVE IT. We employed the “Max Raps” and covered HUGE amounts of structure very efficiently while dialing in our opening weekend pattern. Once we found the structure that held the good fish we simply murdered them. Frankly I wouldn’t be suprised if CSI might open and investigationg at the Rapala HQ for the role they played in this “MAX MURDER”. We motored up and drifted through the “sweetspot” and frankly NEVER had a single dry run. Doubles were commonplace and our walleyes averaged 21-22 inches. Big Smallmouth, Big Pike and Big Walleyes…….Equalled BIG SMILES for two straight days of fishing.
As our trip came to an end Bob, Martin and myself sat down at the Thunderbird supper club and shared with each other how much fun the trip was. Both of them said and I qoute “I WILL NEVER LOOK AT THE RAPALA AISLE THE SAME AGAIN CHRIS!!”. That made me feel pretty good. As a fishing guide catching fish is satisfying, happy customers is rewarding, but teaching fisherman to become better anglers is the paradigm of my chosen career. Those two boys went from barely understanding how to work the stickbaits and receiving a lot of coaching and correcting to simply mastering a new presentation in just 2 days of fishing. Day 2 of the trip found these guys fishing the “Max Rap” with not only precision, but with CONFIDENCE. Confidence in your chosen presentation is the critical ingrediant to overall success. These guys crushed the Walleyes, Pike and Smallmouth in a way they never would have fished prior to this weekend. Now I can assure you they will approach their local fisheries quite differently and likely pass on opening weekend “dinks on the breaks” and target the “Pigs with no pressure”.
For those of you who would like a detailed look at how and why James and I work stickbaits early in the season I’d encourage you to watch this clip we made. We do our best to further detail how and why we work the “Max Rap” in cool water. /wp-content/uploads/bbu_images/fishing/showflat.php/Number/1129437/video-hooked-up-tips-for-fishing-stickbaits
I have many pics to add to this report in which I promise I will do. Right now……I’ve got customers waiting for a crack at the monster. So long fellas and I hope opening weekend was not only enjoyable but successful for you all!!
Nice fish
Great report and pictures Chris!
Chris:
Looking forward to seeing you in a few short weeks for the IDO Spring Trip up there, and I’ll need every moment to both contemplate and take delivery on some stickbaits of choice.
Last year we fished #13 Floating Raps and even smaller Husky Jerks in popular colors with success. I’ll be adding some Max Raps to the order, in the colors you’ve discussed, but I’ve got some questions.
What size? 11, 13, both? What other colors look good to you? – Max Rap Colors
Also, in your opinion, why has this bait been so good to you this spring in addition to the standbys?
Joel
Hi Joe.
Look forward to seeing you again on this springs trip!!
To start we’ve been using the MXR13 (5 1/4 Inch).
We’re using the Flake Green, Flake Olive Green, Flake Silver and Flake Purple Ghost.
And as important as what we’re throwing it helps to have an idea of how to fish them. Holst and I put together this “how to fish stickbaits” video last week. I might not know everything about fishing stickbaits but what I do know I share in this video!
Here is my philosophy on the dramatic success. First off……This bait has simply outproduced other longtime confidence stickbaits in my guide boat.
The Max Raps feature an internal casting mechanism that must simply have an internal weight transfer allowing anglers to simply “BOMB” it. So in simple terms I will cover more area on a given cast with the “Max Rap” than most other floating variety stickbaits. If you and I fish together….If I wanted to I’d beat you to every spot unless you also had the casting advantage.
Rapala produced this bait as a PREMIUM suspending bait. THIS IS NOT a cheapy and clearly hasn’t been designed to be. The Max rap simply looks alive. Stealing some information off the product description; The Max Rap features Laser etched Scales (VERY REALISTIC LOOKING). They also come standard with VMC spark point hooks. I often refer to them as “Sticky” hooks meaning they stick and hold fish from the hookset to the landing net.
When fishing a stickbait either floating or suspending the fish really get a good luck at your presentation. It simply makes sense that the more realistic it moves and looks the more likely that fish will be fooled.
It’s quickly become my #1 stickbait and officially my “GO TO” shallow water suspending presentation. I’m confident it will be yours as well. Cast…Twitch…Swim….Pause…….HOLD ON!!
Martin laced his first Walleye up on the day castinga a “Flat Rap”. This bait really intrigued me. Frankly I’ve never used one. He asked me if I thought it would work with how we were fishing since I had both boy grab “Max Raps”. I asked to take a cast with it to see the action. I worked it like we were working the “Max Raps” and it looked fantastic. I replied “There is not doubt it will work!!” 5 minutes later 15 minutes into day 1 Martin laced up his first of MANY big walleyes!! Nice Eye Martin.
This beautiful 24.5 inch walleye CRUSHED the Max Rap MXR13 in the Flake Green color scheme!!
Beauty Bob!!
The Big smallies were mixed right in with the Walleyes. We landed (2) Big bronzebacks measuring 19 3/4 and VERY HEAVY!! There is little doubt the Smallies are building nests. This was one of the average, but beautiful 17’s victim to the same “Flat Rap” prior to Martin switching to the “MAX”.
Truly a wonderful opener when 37 inch pike like this one are “MISTAKE ENCOUNTERS” Awesome fish Martin!!
While I often found myself quite busy trying to stay out of the way of these anglers even seemingly dead zones were holding some nice quality fish. This was one of our 19 3/4 inch Smallies!! Have to love those big Smallmouth Bass!
I spent most of the day casting the Flake Silver Max Rap. (MXR13 Flake Silver)
Another “RAP ATTACK”
Not to be outdone by Martin; Bob laced up his own 37 inch pike on the Flake Green Max Rap!! Atta Boy Bob!!
As our Walleyes were nearly all 20 inches plus I decided to try downsize baits hoping we might mix in a few more “Shorelunchers”. My first fish was a 16.5 inch fish!! NICE!! My next fish……Aaaaaah this seems bigger than the shorelunch variety men!!
39 inch pike like White Xraps!!
Fitting for the trip we decided on one more cast…….BINGO as Martin lands yet another 22 inch Walleye!! Such a fun group of men and such a wonderful opening to the 2012 open water season!!
Prior to jumping into “Sho-Time” and tipping my hat to the opening day weekend I couldn’t help but think of the IDO boys heading NORTH in a couple weeks. Trust me fellas……..if you need to call in sick or QUIT WORK….This years houseboat excursion like last…….is going to be during the heart of a tremendous bite!!
Good Morning Gentleman…..Crappies are going!!
Chris – With the stained water in Canada as well, do you think the same colors would be effective? I am planning on doing some casting for big northern pike this year in early to mid June and I am looking for some baits/colors to target those big fish. I have husky jerks and size 13 original raps, but thought about adding some max raps as well. What do you think?
Drew there is no question I would be adding “Max Raps” and a lot of them. They are NOT to replace either a Size 13 original floating rapala or the Husky Jerk. Both of the proven producers play key roles in my shallow water Walleye/Pike fishing. The Max Rap fills yet a different role with the suspending nature and incredibly real life look.
I would pick up Purple ghost and either Flake Green or Flake olive. BTW Don’t buy 1 of each!! After you start using them and gain confidence in them you WILL love them as much as the big Rainy Lake Pike and Walleyes do!! You’ll also beat your buddy into every spot!!
BTW Purple Ghost is a brilliant Cisco Imitation. I LOVE the purple add to this bait. Purple happens to be one of my favorite colors in a jig as well.
The Flake Green or Flake olive is simply a wonderful Perch imitation. Many of those big Pike and Walleyes are chasing Perch in the shallows.
Chris,
That’s just TOOO Awesome for words..
Jack
LOL!! Thanks Jack!! Still Living the dream.
Fishing is CRAZY GOOD!!