View Full Version : Taildancers - do they work?
derrek
06-22-2001, 07:42 AM
I have read and heard that the new Rapala Taildancers are supposed to be great. And... they are apparently limited to a production run of 300,000. And... they are supposedly sold out nearly everywhere.
Then, I find a local store that has a whole bunch. Now I'm thinking, am I an idiot if I don't grab 'em? Or are they the same as any other good crank, except better marketed?
I'm not interested in owning them as collectors items, I want to use them, if they work as good as advertised. What experiences have you guys had with them?
Bottomfeeder
06-22-2001, 08:57 AM
Last weekend I was in a big tourney on Winnebago (we cashed a check) and while the fish are biting on almost everything, all of our largest fish came trolling the big taildancers 80 ft back. I have no idea how deep they were running.
Bottomfeeder
jerryr
06-22-2001, 09:14 AM
I bought about six of them and have had good luck on Erie and Lake of the Woods with them this year. Haven't used them enough to really say that they're BETTER than my other stuff, like Shad Raps, Risto Raps, Reef Runners, etc., but they do catch fish. Another guy in our LOTW group caught a 20# Northern on a taildancer this year also, so I'd say that a couple in your tackle box wouldn't be a bad investment. I also heard the "limited supply" story which is likely a marketing gimmick. Cabela's in Owatonna had plenty of them on the shelf two weeks ago. Good luck.
Suzuki
06-22-2001, 09:19 AM
I bought one silver taildancer this spring to try it out.
Second cast nice smallmouth bass. Third cast tree. Currently that lure has a great view of the St. Croix River. I have since bought several more but have not had a chance to try them out yet.
Gumbo
06-22-2001, 10:27 AM
I don't think the Taildancers are anything special or unique in the industry--they just complete Rapala's line of baits so you don't have to buy that type (not even sure what you'd call it) from another vendor (Reef Runner, Walleye Diver, etc).
I've bought a handful of them, and the first time I tried one caught a 27" walleye. I think the "limited edition" is a marketing gimmick so they can charge more.
Another real comparable crank is the Storm Thundercrank. They seem to work just as well and our cheaper for all you people out there that fish on a budget.