Rapala Taildancer depth??

[Atomic Eye]

Rapala Taildancers are not in that fabulous Precision Trolling book. Can any anglers still angling tell me how deep the three sizes run (the new, small one is 2" long and is called the 5 size) with how much 10# test of Trilene XT?

Thanks.

Atomic Eye -- "Gone Fission!"

[Atomic Eye]

C'mon. Someone has this info, right?

Atomic Eye -- "Gone Fission!"

[lobo]

OK - nobody else wants to say it...

When you hit bottom, crank in a few times until there is no more friction at the bottom; that's how deep U R running.

You can tell just by looking at them that they dont dive like T-sicks or Reefrunners.

I could guess on the exact depth but I don't see the point.

Take em shallow and see where they drag, then you will know for your specific set-up.

Lobo

[Atomic Eye]

Thanks, Lobo,

I know how to do what you're suggesting. I just don't want to bury the lure into the old, submerged pinon or juniper bushes that are so common in the reservoirs here. I had hoped thatsomeone had already worked out the depth on the Taildancers. I guess not? Thanks anyhow.


Atomic Eye -- "Gone Fission!"

[Schnauzer]

Hey, if I knew - I'd say. I think you've got a legit question there. I hope someone is nice and shares their knowledge with you.

[walter]

Although my experience with the taildancer is limited, I think that you could assume that the dive curves are close to a similar sized shadrap. The #7 taildancer should be equivalent to a #7 shadrap or a #5 shadrap RS. Hope this helps.

[walleyenut]

hey atomic; the closest I've been able to compare to is a #7 td runs about the same as a # 5 shad rap. They do not run very deep unless your really running fast then they might compare to a # 7 shad rap. It really suprised me that they came out with a smaller size and not a larger size. A # 9 td runs abiut the same as a # 7 shad rap. I'm talking of running up to 2 mph They will get a little deeper if you get up to 4 or 5 mph. This is what I remeber from running them last year. Walleyenut

[Reels]

Last year running them, about 4-5' depending on line (mono vrs fireline) They dont run very deep and not as deep as the regular shad rap.

The #7 was about 7-8'

Tight Lines

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[Atomic Eye]

Walleyenut,

Thanks for sharing the information.

Did any of you do any good on the Tail Dancers (TDs) compared to the Shad Raps or Wally Divers? They're more expensive than them.

A #9 TD runs deeper than a 3/8 oz Wally Diver, but I never got the depth figured out for some reason.

I think the small, 2" size, TD approximates a lot of the smaller minnows that don't get much larger than that. It also puts the TDs in direct market competition with the SR5 Shad raps and the 1/4 oz Wally Divers that are so popular with walleye fisherpersons. In a recent poll, it looked like the SR5 was the overall favorite crank to troll for eyes.

Atomic Eye -- "Gone Fission!"

[chadk66]

Last summer I was running 10lb fire line with 150' of line out and ticking bottom at around 15' with the #7 tail dancer.

[Atomic Eye]

Thanks. But, did you catch many fish? I didn't do well with my use of the TDs.

Atomic Eye -- "Gone Fission!"

[EsoxProSport]

I caught a few on the Green/Silver last Year and ALso caught lots of Smallmouth On the Yellow one. The size "7" seemed to run about 1-2 feet less than an equal sized WallyDIver for me

[EsoxProSport]

I am a Rapala Fan and also had luck with the Jointed Shad Raps, Nice Action!! I noticed the Jointeds are using new Hooks I think they are VMC. I did replace some of the rear hooks on my jointeds with a slightly larger size. The factory rear hook seeemed small to me. DId not seem to affect action.

[Gumbo]

I found the same--14-16' using PowerPro 30#. I've caught walleyes and tigers on them, but they still don't compare to the Frenzy deep stick baits. As for the jointed Shad Raps, great bait! I have a handful of Taildancers and that's enough. But I'll definitely stock up on more jointed Shad Raps.

[Atomic Eye]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. It appears that depth for the Tail Dancers is not a big deal because they aren't as good as Shad Raps or Wally Divers for enticing eyes to hit.

Based on what I've bought so far during the hard water season, I probably did more for the US economy than for my walleye arsenal. I will tend to focus more on Shad Raps, Wally Divers, and jigs - proven WE attractors, for the upcoming soft water season.

Thank you!!

Atomic Eye -- "Gone Fission!"