The saltwater-grade Rapala X-Rap is an excellent jerkbait, and one that’s even more versatile than that name might suggest.
It’s slow sinking and flutters on the drop, produces a signature wide wobbling action on the retrieve, and is uniquely weighted for extra long casts - which you might need in the wind, or under other adverse conditions.
Either way, this is one tough lure, available in a number of extremely realistic patterns, and one that consistently draws strikes from big saltwater predators.
You just need to know how to fish it. Here are 5 of the best techniques.
Burn It
This is the most straightforward, and the easiest way, to fish a Rapala X-Rap. Simply cast to a school of aggressively feeding fish, or to some structure that you think is holding a predator, and rip the lure back to you with a fast, steady retrieve.
Burning an X-Rap will cause it to wobble violently as well as roll back and forth, sending out a lot of vibrations that will convince a predator that there is a baitfish in the area trying frantically to get away from something. In other words, it’s a dinner bell, and a highly enticing one.
The one thing about burning an X-Rap (or any lure) is that it is generally less effective than other techniques, some of the best of which will be covered here. Burning a plug works best when fish are already highly aggressive, such as if they are already actively feeding.
Then again, when burning works, it works like a charm. File this one and remember to try it if other techniques are not producing.
Slash It
Slashing a Rapala X-Rap can be one of the most effective techniques of all, all things considered.
As is the case when you burn a lure, cast the X-Rap to some structure that you think holds fish; towards a pile, or a trough, or some submerged structure like a reef. Alternatively you could cast it to a feeding school of fish.
Let the lure sink for a moment or two, then use the rod tip to impart a dramatic slashing action to the lure. Slash the rod to the right and left, and the lure will dart back and forth in the water, sort of like you are “walking the dog” but underneath the surface.
This cadence is utterly irresistible to predatory gamefish and simulates a baitfish that is wounded but still trying to escape danger. Be ready for a hard strike on the pause - that’s when most hits come.
Slow Twitch
Slow twitching is another great way to work a Rapala X-Rap. As with the other techniques covered here, cast the X-Rap to some structure, or to a place you know that fish are feeding, then let it sink for a few seconds. You want a longer pause to start this cadence.
In some instances, the lure will get bit right on the presentation. If so, reel in your slack and start fighting.
Otherwise, give the rod tip a few twitches, upwards, or to either side, then let the X-Rap drop again. The slow twitch simulates a baitfish that is dying but which still has a little life left in it, making it an easy target for a predator.
The slow twitch can be effective when gamefish are a little leery and unwilling to cooperate with more aggressive, faster presentations. As with the other techniques mentioned here, be ready for the strike on the drop, as that is when it will typically come.
Fast Twitch
For all intents and purposes, the fast twitch technique is the same as the slow twitch technique, except that the fast twitch requires a slightly faster cadence.
As with all the other techniques mentioned here, cast the lure to structure or to a school of fish, let it drop for a second, then start popping the rod tip to make the lure twitch a little.
With a fast twitch cadence, don’t let your pauses take more than a half a second or so; it’s actually more effective to use even less time on the pause than this.
This technique is effective for all of the reasons that the slow twitch cadence is, except it is more effective when fish are less skittish and feeling slightly more aggressive.
However, with this technique, as with others, most of your strikes will be on the pause or drop, so be ready for them.
Yo-Yo It
This last technique is highly effective because it covers a lot more height in the water column, and thanks to its long drops, can entice strikes from somewhat wary fish. It is also slightly more effective in deep water.
Cast the lure to (or over) structure or a school, then let it sink for a few seconds - as long as you think it will take to get into the strike zone.
Then, bring the rod tip up sharply and crank the reel handle a few times. Let the lure pause, then let it drop back down 5, 10, even 15 feet back to where you started, then repeat the process. This is sort of as if you were jigging a metal.
This technique also simulates a baitfish that is dying, and trying to stop itself from sinking to the bottom. It is highly effective on aggressive fish but can also draw strikes from more wary predators.
As with the other techniques listed here, most of your strikes will come on the drop. Don’t be shy about prolonging a drop - this lure flutters on the fall and that action is extremely enticing to predatory gamefish.
Stock Up on Rapala X-Raps Here
If your tackle bag needs refreshing, we have you covered. Stock up on Rapala X-Raps here; we carry them in a variety of different colors and patterns, along with other popular plugs and metals.
Moreover, the techniques covered here can be used not just with X-Raps, but with any slow-sinking saltwater plug. Try them and see which performs best for you the next time you’re on the water.