The Rapala Shad Rap Legacy | An Al Lindner Interview

In the world of hard baits, the Rapala Shad Rap is in a league of its own regarding global sales and sheer multi-species performance. From targeting bass on highland reservoirs to pike and walleye fishing, legendary angler Al Lindner sheds insight on using the Rapala Shad Rap, what makes it so effective, and how to fish it to target a wide range of predatory fish effectively.

TACKLE USED (retail links)

CRANKBAIT – Rapala Shad Rap: Buy at FishUSA | Buy at Bass Pro Shops
ROD – St. Croix Legend Extreme Spinning Rod, 7′ Medium: Buy at FishUSA
REEL – Daiwa Ballistic LT 3000 Spinning Reel: Buy at FishUSA | Buy at Bass Pro Shops
LINE (MAIN) – Sufix 131 Braid, 10-pound: Buy at FishUSA | Buy at Bass Pro Shops
LINE (LEADER) – Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon, 8-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops

*Additional links at the bottom.

KEY INSIGHTS ON SHAD RAP

UNIQUE DESIGN AND VERSATILITY

The Shad Rap is crafted from balsa wood, which has a natural action that hard-molded plastics can’t match. The Shad Rap’s design offers a consistent running depth, which is crucial when targeting fish in specific depth ranges. Lindner explains the Shad Rap’s versatility, noting its effectiveness in both cold and warm waters and its ability to maintain performance at various speeds.

TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES

FISHING TECHNIQUES

Al Lindner shares a variety of fishing techniques to help you make the most of the Rapala Shad Rap. In colder waters or at night, a steady retrieve is the way to go. He suggests a more aggressive approach as temperatures rise, treating the Shad Rap almost like a jerkbait with erratic motions or simply ‘burning’ it through the water to trigger reaction strikes.

GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS

For optimal casting, Lindner prefers using a spinning rod paired with a size 3000 reel to handle the light weight of the Shad Rap effectively. The setup is further enhanced with a braided mainline for castability complemented by a fluorocarbon leader for some stretch and reduced visibility.

CONCLUSION AND EXPERT ADVICE

Whether targeting walleye, smallmouth, or largemouth bass, the Shad Rap is always on the menu due to its ability to mimic various forage fish. Since its launch, Lindner’s personal success with the bait underscores the Shad Rap’s exceptional performance across multiple species and fishing environments.