Rapala X-raps : lures & flies

ryjan · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 8:16 pm Post subject: Rapala X-raps

I have found these lures awesome on all sorts of fish. Although i have a little bit of an issue with the quality. Ive found that the hooks bend and even snap on small barra, and the colour simply peels of if the fish considers having teeth. At $20+ a lure its not even standing up to the challenge of tropical fish. Ive been in conversation with th rapala rep for australia and he suggested i try the floating and the saltwater version. my issue is that at that price you would think the hooks would be solid and the colour wouldnt get "scared" off them, hell RMG and HALCO are cheaper and keep on battleing. Anyone else use the rapalas and had similar troubles? cheers
ryan

ronje · Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 9:01 pm Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

G'day Ryan

Sure have.

I always change hooks anyway to 6x VMC or 4x Owners along with double ringer halco split rings. Can't do much more to an already expensive lure.

But the paint peeling off is something I didn't expect but it happens regularly.

I simply don't buy Rapala any more.

regards
Ronj

2rods · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

Buy them out of the USA and get them for around $9 each.....

ponyplay · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:58 am Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

Yer i get same problem with the paint (no worse than gold bomber) can usally get one run off or build up out a lure with the paint , there a imported lure so hooks are always usaully no good on them goes with most import brands.

Still think the + far out weigh the negatives, there gold the x raps. Like sum one said snag em of e bay wont hurt ya pocket as much mate :mrgreen:

maxpower · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

They are a top lure. Landed a 97cm on one with the cr.p hooks this year. Did bend them a touch though.

The last Xrap I got had tougher hooks but have only tested it on a 70 odd cm fish. My favourite lure personally, especially when they are on sale!

ryjan · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

Guess I should stop being such a tight arse. They are a great lure and the flat raps are insane!!!! I might even give them a layer of clear coat to keep the colour on them. Hooks aren't to hard to fix

whomper37 · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

i never pay over 9 bucks for them like 2rods said get them from the USA.... got them as cheap as $5 bulk buys are the go.......

PS dont tell my wife hahahahaa

Faulksy · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:27 pm Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

Good lures IMHO

cuddlescooper · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

dont worry about the paint job. they work just as good with out it as they do with it! A bit like gold bombers. You dont catch fish on them till there is no paint left.

Attachment:

can i have my bomber back. 79cm daly feb2010.JPG

Note the bomber in the back ground! x raps are the same

ronje · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:34 am Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

Yr right about the prices on internet. Its not that o'seas is so cheap. Its the markup that Aussie import companies put on.

Maybe its that importers of hardbody lures are simply beancounters making max possible dollar. Local manufacturers seem to be a bit cheaper than the importers. Maybe?

Trend seems to be to design lures in Aus and then get o/seas to manufacture claiming that strict production monitoring maintains quality. Not convinced that always happens.

I tend to buy off the internet if I consider that the aussie mark-up is excessive. Like to think that I'm doing my little bit to help keep jobs local.

But.... that seems to be the exception rather than the rule in the last 12 months.

But for some reason, I haven't thought about hard body lures!! Maybe I just don't buy enough these days.

Bit of interest. Rob Gaden of the old RMG is coming to Roper with us in March. He's apparently making up some new hard body designs for us to trial. Will report on outcome. After (or just before, or all the time) he sold out to Halco he's been doing Classic lures for John Millyard. Not sure of the timing of events there but I guess we'll find out.

Be good to get an insider's view of the industry.

regards
Ronj

deepblack · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

Ryjan,
Mate, would you rather have one expensive lure that catches fish or a whole box full of cheapies that don't? Not saying that $20-$30 for a lure is right either though... But you can fish an X-rap with confidence and this counts for a lot. Try not to mess with the hooks too much as the suspending action is what works for the fish so plain old 3x vmc's actually work better than a set of 6x which will make the lure sink. Alternatively get a floater and go heavy with the hooks to make it a slow rising floater. :wink:

Cheers,

John.

Faulksy · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:14 pm Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

What model xrap are you losing paint on? The ones I have seen good.

2rods · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:24 pm Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

I loose the orange off the botom of some of the xraps BUT the white 1 that works the best has lost nothing :-)

bigglen · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

send me a pm if ya interested in these lures i have heaps an lots of diff colours an they wont sink with 6x hooks

bigglen · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: Rapala X-raps

sorry forgot to put the price $8 each or 3 for $20

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