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Topwater techniques with Rapala lures cause fish to shatter the glassy ceiling.
While it’s no secret that topwater baits catch fish, what’s not necessarily appreciated is how selective bass can be - even hour to hour - when it comes to the specific slither, splash, churn or pop that’ll trigger their taste buds. With that in mind, it’s wisest to tote a wide assortment of Rapala topwater baits.
The general rule of thumb when fishing topwaters is to start loud, gradually trimming back the sound and commotion. And it’s a good rule to follow.
Take the newly introduced X-Rap Prop. It stays on top and generates an uproar due to its thin, extra-buoyant body and counter-rotating props that “CLACK” as they spin. Rapala pro Jacob Wheeler took top honors this past August during the 2012 Forrest Wood Cup on Georgia’s Lake Lanier by roiling the surface with a Yellow Perch colored X-Rap Prop. His reasoning on why this lure was the right one for the job: “My whole approach was to irritate the fish so much they had no choice but to eat it. It was a ploy that paid off in spades.”
But sometimes churning a waterway’s face to a froth gets fish swimming the other way. That’s when the subtler X-Rap Pop comes into play. The lure’s arched body keeps its wide head and triangular-shaped deep-cupped chops within the waterline, allowing it to turn out a deep, resonating “BLOOP” with each snap of the rod tip.
Not only is the noise produced by a lure essential, but so too its action. That’s why the X-Rap Walk was designed. It’s perfectly balanced to promote the side-to-side “walk the dog” retrieve that is known worldwide for eliciting strikes from behemoth bass. And its loud internal rattle will seize the attention of fish from afar.
The fact the side-to-side motion of surface lures is so effective is why Rapala’s X-Rap SubWalk is such a valuable asset below the surface. This bait works wonders in even the roughest water, when other surface baits might not get noticed. Pause and the X-Rap SubWalk slowly sinks, producing pokes from fish that were following close behind.
As with all Rapala X-Rap lures, the abovementioned topwaters come in X-Rap-specific colors for all water conditions. That, and they boast realistic 3D holographic eyes. Seriously-sharp VMC hooks are part of the program as well with rear trebles given Flash Feather Teaser Tails for added flare and action.
Most will agree that topwater fishing is the most explosive and entertaining tactic, freshwater and saltwater. But to be successful, you have to match motion to the mood of the fish. Rapala’s expansive selection of topwaters ensures that every degree of topwater splash-tivity is covered.
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