Rapala Husky Jerk FYI

[Schnauzer]

I recently made an observation I figured someone might find useful. I troll a lot of #14 Rapala Husky Jerks - the shallow running, suspending ones. I figured they floated but when my line broke on a cast a couple weeks ago, I couldn't find the lure. I figured it had sunk. So, I dropped some HJ's into my aquarium at home to see what would happen. I was surprised to find that roughly half of them sank and half floated - right out of the box. They seemed to be consistant by color.

Am I missing something or shouldn't they all behave the same way? I can understand differences in the way they run due to their tuning but sinking vs. floating seems like a variable I shouldn't have to deal with.

I have mostly #14's but a tank test of the few smaller HJ's had the same results - some floated and some sank. If you have any info, I'd be curious to hear what you know. Otherwise, just consider this an FYI on husky jerk behavior.

[Stormsearch]

I believe they are suppose to be suspending type baits. The older "original" husky lures were floating. The new Husky Jerks are suspending. So it doesn't suprise me that some sink and some float.

Since they are marketing a suspending model, I would concern myself more on the rate they float/sink. Historically, on other suspending baits, they generally float very slightly. If you are waiting for some of these to float, good luck they take a long time.

[Schnauzer]

All of the HJ's (floating and sinking) were marked as "suspending" on the box. The ones that would float, rose more slowly than a regular Rapala or other floating crank.

I think you are right, even though all the HJ's I tested have been purchased in the last few months, some may have been older on the store shelves. Their packaging, however was the same and they were labled the same. The ones that tended to float were more of the unpopular color variety so your response makes a lot of sense! The older floating ones probably hung out on the store shelves longer.

I checked a Yozuri suspending crystal minnow and it slowly floated.

[Len]

I also run alot of #14 husky jerks and love them..I weight (storm lead lure tape) and tank test mine to suspend.I also remeove the front hooks on all triple hook lures and it seems to help keep big fish (salmon/steelhead) from breaking me off....Be sure to use a rapala knot (open loop) and run about a "60 leader~(I use 17 lb flourocarbon) to get the best motion out of your lures..Tight lines..Len

[J.P.]

Husky Jerks are suspending baits and will not float. There is also a Husky floating Rapala. Suspening baits should stay at the same level when they stop, but water temp has a lot to do with that. Colder water is more dense, so the bait will react differently depending on temp.

[Schnauzer]

JP, Go out and buy yourself a black/gold or blue/silver SUSPENDING Husky Jerk - it will float in any water. I have only ever bought SUSPENDING HJ's. I still have the packaging from an orange/black one I purchased on Saturday and it floats. They rise slower than regular Rapalas but they do float. The clown and rainbow members of my collection slowly sink.

I think the earlier post is likely correct... Somewhat older HJs float but the newer specimens sink. That seems logical to me.

[WAeyes]

I think it is just a coincidence. Everyone of my Husky Jerks needed a slight bit of lead tape to get them close to neutrally bouyant. It is virtually impossible to get them perfect, even with lead tape, but you can get very close. Suspending Husky Jerks ang Rattling Rogues are as good as a shallow suspender gets. If you have one that slightly sinks, try changing out the hooks to one that is slightly lighter. Occasionaly you might get a factory defect that will not suspend.