Hi Guys: I have had good luck with Shad Raps and would like to ask a survey as to which sizes you use and which work best. The reason is that I am planning an order of these lures in some custom painted colors from one of WC supporters and would like to simplify the order if possible.

I have not found much of a pattern on size because of other methods of getting them to the proper depth. The lures would be used here in Ohio on inland lakes, Lake Erie, and in Canada.

Oddly enough, I have caught some very large fish on the #5.

I use the solid style (not jointed) in #5, #7, #8, and #9. I understand that some guys like to start small and increase size as the season progresses and the baitfish grow larger. Also some guys like to use the larger sizes to go deeper.

Thanks for any input. Best wishes, O F

I use the #5's and 7's.

Seven's are my Fav size for the larger Eyes than what Five's will pull ~ but I use the SSR7's so depth is not a issue...

Tough question.
#4 thru #9 all have worked for me.
Not much help, I know.
But... they all work in given situations.

I've even put the SSR7's down with 3 oz bouncers for the neutral Eyes & had good results...

>Tough question.
>#4 thru #9 all have worked for me.
>Not much help, I know.
>But... they all work in given situations.

LOL, I hear ya TMac, I wish I could narrow it down to just one size, maybe even just one color... Truth be told, everything from a #4-#9, in both jointed and shad style, Rattling shad and regular...

I guess if I HAD to narrow it down to just one - if would be a #5 jointed, mainly because that works very good from spring time to late summer. Come fall though, I want some 8's and 9's.

Buying crankbaits is a process, not an event. Set a budget, spend some of your budget on a variety, and then go fishing and have some of your budgeted money left to buy more of what's working. Set your budget for at least 3 different times during the softwater season, so when things change, you come up to another budget windfall. Use what you have, and build the supply over time.

I used to try to choose the crank bait I wanted to buy, and things were out of control. So I changed to telling myself I was going to spend $150.00 on crankbaits that month. Buy some, go fishing, come home, spend the rest, then wait for the next month. That will get ya there in a couple of years!

In the spring I like to start with #5 Shad Raps then when water warms up then #7. By fall the #8 work fine too. There is no sutch thing as too many plugs. LOL You just can not have enough.

Satch_MN

Standard #5 Shad Raps have accounted for more of my inland lake walleyes than all other lures put together. Perch, crawdad, and clown are my most successful. I even caught a 45# flathead cat on one (it spit out a 24" walleye next to the boat). I troll #7s up in Canada with good results.

If I HAD to pick (or count them in my tackle box), it would be #7 for regular Raps and #5 for jointed.

Match the hatch. What size are the bait fish? Giving waldo the same size is a great starting point.

Thanks for the info guys. I have quite a few SR's already and am just trying to simplify with the new custom colors - - - if that is ever possible.

best wishes, O F

Super Shad Rap.

those super shad raps are real workhorses.