The all new Rapala Clackin' Rap is here! Although I have not been able to use this fantastic new lure, because the ice still covers the lakes, I have had the opportunity to talk to a Rapala representative about the new bait design. The lipless crankbait made a strong first impression on me.

First of all, the clacking sound the lure makes is really impressive. Inside the lure is a single stainless steel ball. As the lure wiggles through the water it's side to side motion makes the stainless steel ball contact the stainless steel metal discs on the outside of the lure. The sound is great. I have used other high tech baits, such as HiTek Tackle's XR50, and I have to say that the Rapala Clackin Rap simply has the better sound. Of course, I am not a fish, so we will have to put the lure through some real fishing to see if they like it. I have a suspicion that fish like bass, are going to love this thing.

What is just as impressive are the colors and eyes of this lure. The eyes are very lifelike.The colors of the lures are both striking and flashy. The lures have a translucent textured body with an internal holographic flash foil. The lure just looks good.

This crank bait is 3-1/8" long and weighs in at 7/8 oz. There is no doubt in my mind that this lure will cast like a bullet. You'll be able to get this thing out there with relative ease.

In addition, the lures come with the VMC Sure Set hooks on the belly. If your wondering what Sure Set hooks do... Sure Set hooks are made to hook those fish that miss. If you've been fishing long enough you know what I am saying. Sometimes the fish misjudge their srike. The Sure Set hook has the ability to hook these near miss fish.

At Jax Cat Tackle, we carry a wide variety of Clackin' Raps. Check them out by clicking here!

If you have used a Clackin' Rap please leave your comments and opinions so others will learn about this new offering from rapala.

This month at Jax Cat Tackle:

What's new?

Just in! Woodstock fishing lines. We are proud to carry the Woodstock brand of fishing line. Woodstock has been in business for over 60 years. This family owned company makes braided lines. They make specialty lines for fly fishing, trolling, and casting applications.

What types of line?

Spectra Braided Line: The Woodstock braided Spectra line is simply a top rate line. How does it compare to Power Pro? In independent test it Woodstock Spectra line was stronger than Power pro by 10%. This line comes of the spool really well too.

Lead Core: Lead core fishing line is used by deep water anglers who troll. The point of lead core is that its weight allows the angler to get the line and hence the bait down deep. The bait will stay down too!

Copper Trolling Wire: Copper trolling works similar to the lead core. The concept is to use the heavy weight of the copper to get your line down deep fast. Some anglers prefer the copper over the lead core.

It does not really matter what your application is, Woodstock makes a line for it. You can check all these lines out at Jax Cat Tackle. Just click here!

Fishing the Vingla

The Bay De Noc Lure Company makes several quality brass lures. The lures made by Bay De Noc are all made in the USA from quality components. The company makes the Swedish Pimples which are very popular in the ice fishing arena. Today, let's discuss the merits of the company's Vingla series lures.

The Vingla is a version of the Swedish Pimple. The major difference is that the Vingla has a unique wing design. This wing design helps the lure flutter and spin through the water. The lures have sharp colors and high flash. These lures work really good for casting and trolling applications.

To cast a vingla:

Simply cast as you would any other spoon. Work on your retrieve as you don't want it to go too fast. This bait mimics a forage minnow, which is every predator's favorite food. We suggest that you switch out the treble hook and replace it with the single hook provided. Install the single hook so that the point rides upright. This will reduce snagging up in weeds or bottom structure.

Pattern cast the bait. In this type of fishing you cast the lure out maybe 6-8 feet on your first cast. Retrieve your bait. You then cast 6-8 feet but roughly 5-6 feet to your right or left. After you have covered the area, cast out 10-12 feet. Again after each retrieve make your next cast 5-6 feet to the right or left. The idea is to fully cover an area before you move on to another spot.

The retrieve is very important. As with any lure, you want to vary your retrieve. Go slow, fast, and stop. Stopping is really critical. Let that lure fall again (Lures rise as they are retrieved). I have often caught the fish on the fall. I think the fall may trigger the predatory response in the fish. Be patient with it. Every lure has its own unique features. You really have to fish with it. Watch the lure coming in to see what it's doing. How is the lure working through the water? If you were a fish would you strike it? It has to appear real.

When you get the strike put the rod tip up. Don't tear the hook out! Keep your rod tip up and reel that fish in.

Trolling:

Trolling the Vingla is easy and effective. It is recommended by Bay De Noc that you use, at least, 10 pound test line. Bay De Noc also recommends that you keep the rod tips low. You definitely want to run these at a slow troll and with a lot of line out. On the strike get that rod tip up.

jig:

You can also jig the Vingla. We often jig it from a boat or a dock. The Vingla will flutter away from the baot as it sinks (roughly 2-1/2 feet for every 10 feet in the water. Your line weight and the currents will obviously affect this to a great degree.)

Type of fish:

With our focus this week on trout, it is no surprise that the Vingla is an absolute trout catcher. These catch brook, browns and rainbows in lakes, streams, and rivers. We usually recommend the smaller Vinglas for trout. These are the size 2V and 3V. Of course, there's always an exception, but these sizes appear to work best for these species.

Of course other predatory fish will also attack a Vingla. You can catch Bass (both large and Small mouth), walleye, perch, crappie, and more.

The Vingla is an incredibly versatile lure. Put several colors and sizes in your tackle box. Try to match the colors to what the fish are eating.

Where to buy:
Jax Cat Tackle

Best of luck

Jax Cat Tackle

Spring Fishing!

There are some things in life that can rejuvenate the soul. Spring fishing is one of these things. To be out in the country air as the last snow spots melt away is so refreshing. I can't help but be awe inspired at the way nature cleans and heals as it changes with each season.

There is nothing quite like that first season cast. You throw that bait into the water with such high hopes. You cast, retrieve and repeat. If the fish are biting it's even better.

So now that we are all geared up to fish this spring. The looming question might be what do we use for bait? That's a tough question to answer as it largely depends on where you are and what species of fish you are targeting. Today, let's focus on trout.

Water: First make sure the water is ready. Trout are cold blooded. like other cold blooded creatures, trout will be rather dormant if the water table is too cold. A good rule of thumb is to check the temperature of the water. Some experts use the 44 degree rule. If the water is not 44 degrees they say skip the fishing. However, many people report catching trout in water that registered as low as 39-40 degrees. So don't be too quick to put that rod back in the car. You drove or walked there, take some casts to see what might be there.

During springtime rainbow and lake trout tend to be within the first 20 feet of the water column. It is a good rule of thumb to look around the lake. Is there ice cover? If there is ice, trout can often be found hiding just along the edges, ie. where the ice has melted away and meets the water (Please do not walk out onto thin ice). This is because many trout, like rainbows like to stay just under the ice during the winter. If there is no ice on the lake your best bet is to get that bait between the first 20 feet of the water column.

What to use: The obvious is live bait. For smaller trout use trout worms or night crawlers (night crawlers may be too big). Spoons may also be great. We often use the smaller Swedish Pimples. Some people use the Pimples only during the winter months. It's unfortunate, because these anglers are missing out on a really effective bait. For trout, we usually use the smaller Swedish Pimples. The smaller Pimples are sizes 2 and 3. We have customers who fish the Great lakes and they often order larger Pimples, such as sizes 5 and 6, for the large lakers they are after.

Other jigs may also do the trick. Northland Tackle makes a nift little jig called the Forage Minnow Jig. These have holographic baitfish images and flash like crazy. If jigged correctly, not too fast, these look realistic to the trout.

Best of luck to you.

Jax Cat Tackle
jaxcattackle.com