Ripstick vs. Reef Runner

[pwrfshn]

Anyone have any opinions on the different action, if any?

I have been experimenting with the two at same depth and the Ripstick seems to outperform. Like the versatility of the Reef Runner for depth however.

Thanks in advance,

[ETT]

Even thought these 2 lures sahre the same body, they have quite different actions. The Reef Runner is a big open action with built in horizontal hunting (It kicks out and darts left and right when propperly tuned). It's a reaction strick type lure, with a lot of calling ability.

The Rip Stick is more subtle action. Not as subtle as a roll (it still wobbles), but not nearly as wide and open as the Reef Runner. Better posible for clearer water and less aggressive fish.

I like them both very much and have seen many times when both will get bit. Under 2.5 mph either works well. Speeds over 3 I'd go Rip Stick. Hope this helps and good luck. Also Happy Holidays.

[Neal/CO]

Hey Mexico, you have alot of waters you fish where there is both Walleye's and Stripers. Have you experimented yet with all the new soft plastic jerkbaits coming on the market? The Berkley Power Swim bait, Jerk Shads, Optimum Swim and such. I really like the action of the Jerk Shads ripped jigged on a 1/8 to 1/4 oz Darthead jig! The last couple of issue's of In-Fisherman have had several articles on how effective this family of baits are on both species in very clear water, like we have! They also don't hurt nearly as much when you snag up! Just wondered if you had tried these yet?

[pwrfshn]

Haven't tried much in the way of plastics, although I have trolled some jigs for the fish. You know how much I like to jig. :(

The Butte is pretty murky right now, but the fishing is getting better (or am I, not sure). We hit 15 Striper, 1 White, and 1 4# Piggy all on Ripsticks (Red Oahe and Chrome/Black) except 1 Striper came on live bait.

If you want me to add you to my report, let me know (for pics).

Thanks,

[Omega]

I find the action far more versatile on the Ripstick and when I control the depth with leadcore or snap weights I know exactly where my baits are. Something that I can't say about the very erratic running Reef Runner.
Just my opinion, Rich

[riskyhooker]

Omega,
I find it puzzling that you feel you are better able to control the depth of a Ripstick while using it with leadcore or snapweights, than you are a Reef Runner without additional weight.

All negatively buoyant(sinking) trolling systems are extremely speed sensitive. This includes; leadcore, snap weights, sinking diving planers, three way rigs, and also sinking type crankbaits. Slower speeds will cause your bait to run deeper and higher speeds will cause it to run shallower. There are guidelines in the Precision Trolling book that can be used to help you adjust line out length for small differences in speed but there is still a certain amount of grey area here. This is due partly to the different types of speed measurment used. For example, GPS measures speed over ground(SOG). Sonar units with the paddlewheel, measure speed over water(SOW) at the surface. Units such as the Fish Hawk measure speed through water(STW) at a given depth. Rarely will all three speed readings be the same and sometimes they can even be terribly different. This is largley due to factors such as the coriolis effect and rebound current which cause the surface current and underlying currents to move at different speeds and even in different and sometimes opposite directions. All of this makes EXACT running depth somewhat tough to determine.

This is not to say that these systems don't work well and they may even outproduce everything else in your tacklebox some days due to the added action caused by the baits rising and falling during speed changes and in turns. This also allows the bait to contact fish at a wider range of depths.

On the other hand, positively buoyant(floating) systems are affected so little within the normal trolling speed range of about 1.0 - 3.5 MPH that it is not even mentioned in the "Troller's Bible".

I employ both types of systems and each has its day but when I want to predict the EXACT running depth of a bait I always stay away from sinking systems.

One last thought.The Reef Runner was built to have an erratic triggering action that dosen't in any way I am aware of affect the running depth. These baits are a little tricky to tune sometimes and out of tune baits don't run at proper depths no matter what kind they are. I am able to run RR's at up to 4mph(STW) without any problems when they are "fine tuned" properly. I recommend that you retune your baits at about 3MPH and do a little more testing.