how to: run raps on LOW?

[Dahitman44]

I have tried this each time up with no luck at all.

We do not have down riggers so we use TD and a line counter reel. Can somebody give us some pointers?

Thanks

Hit

[Walleyehooker]

The best thing to have is the trollers bible on crankbaits and dive curves so you know how much line to let out. Unfortunatly they dont print it anymore so you have to find one on ebay etc. for a premium price. It is also better to run a thinner braided line like power pro or fireline etc. to get your cranks deeper. It also helps to know how accurate your linecounter is as what it says isnt alsways right. To get down in that 30 foot range with deep divers you will have to let out roughly 180+ feet if I remember right. The book also tells about snap weights which is another option. I like to run leadcore as you can put any crank down near bottom.

[Dahitman44]

hey Hook --

It is not that I don't know how to run raps -- i do. I just have never had any luck on LOW. I have plenty of luck back home but just not up north. How deep do you look to use raps up north?

We run #5 or 7 in about 10 to 15 fow and that works well, but what do u do on LOW. I have tail dances and they "get down" but what depth do we try?

And when? middle of the day?

[MN Mike]

Last weekend we had to throw a few different plug options at the fish before we found out they were looking for Reef Runner 800's in chart. wonderbread. We moved 3 times that day and each spot wanted something different, talk about frustrating! But the Reef Runners produced the nice fish, TDD11's didn't get bit once that day.

I was long lining the Reef Runners with spiderwire.

You have to have options in your tacklebox when you go up there, if they " aren't buyin' what your selln' " there won't be anything you can do about it.

I normally run anywhere from 2.5 to 3 mph to start with and this time of year I start pulling plugs the minute I get on the water.

Mike

[jerkbait]

This time of year you most likely need to be out in the 30-35 fow out in the mud on the flats or off the edges of reefs in the mud. Basically the same areas the people are pulling riggers.

[NAMASafetyDirector]

Try rigging up some lead core with the suffix lead in order to get down deep out in the mud. You can also try pulling cranks over top or on the outside of the reefs in the early or late part of the day and get em'. During the day though like mentioned above you'll need to be out deep with between 4 and 5 colors or more of lead out depending on what crank you have on and how deep of water your in. I just started working with lead core more this year and it's definitly a ton of trial and error until you find something that works. A wise man (my Dad) once told me, the only way your going to get good at pulling cranks is to never leave shore with live bait in the boat! Also there is lots of good video out there on utube on lead core fishing for walleyes on big lakes from guys that are good at it, I got some good tips from there....

[Walleyehooker]

Im guessing your biggest problem is not getting them down far enough and in the strike zone. Low is stained water and you need to get them close to the fish. What you can do is try to go over a hard bottom like sand or gravel and keep letting out line till you feel the crank hiting bottom. You can do this with your rod in a rod holder and watch the tip of the rod.Also need to keep track of your speed and I usually run around 2 mph when long lineing.

[Dahitman44]

great info guys!and thanks!!

[bapperpimp]

Also, make sure your crank baits are tuned properly. If you are longlining and something isnt perfect with your plug, you could be off 10 feet or more. I find that most rapalas come tuned out of the box, but the reef runners mentioned above a bit more effort. If you take the time to tune it just right though - those reef runners are deadly on the right day.

IMO, downriggers work best, then lead core, then long lining when pulling plugs. Concentrate on mud flats adjacent to reefs (30-35 fow as mentioned) and just go with the wind 2-3 mph. If no bites in 20 minutes, switch baits. If none again, switch again.

Time on the water plus experimentation will make you a master crankbaiter the next time out...

[bak2MN]

How do you know if there tru or not? And how do you tune them in? Just curious. Thanks

[Mad Mulcher]

And what length between downrigger ball and lure?

[MN Mike]

How do you know if there tru or not? And how do you tune them in? Just curious. Thanks

You'll know by simply dropping them in the water when your trolling along, give the lure about 5 - 10 feet of line, if they are not running right the plug will more than likely surface or at least pull way off to one side or another.

Some of the plugs I use do not have the metal split ring, on those types of lures you have to watch your knot placement when you tie to the plug, get it right and it will run straight and true. If you have the split ring then you have to tweak the part of the plug where the split ring attaches to, tweak it the opposite direction the plug is pulling.

As far as distance behind the ball, that can vary, I run some as short as 5 - 8 feet ( aggressive divers ) and the shallow runners will be 10 - 30 feet back depending on the day........ and the fisherman

Mike

[bapperpimp]

Bak2MN, if you let them out next to the boat, they should run exactly straight. If they are veering to the side at all, take a pliers and bend the little wire at the front of the crankbait towards the way it was running. Then, try it again. If still not straight, adjust again. It doesnt take much, but it makes a difference. Then, keep checking lines. Its a tedious process, but if you get it just right, you will be best off.

[bak2MN]

Thanks guys dont run alot of raps but maybe that is some of the issues I have for no success. Off to true my Raps!!!

[bopper4]

What speed do most of you run while pulling cranks? With my riggers I'm around 2.5-3.0. I'm going to start playing with leadcore and most of what I have read says most guys run the from 1.8-2.2.