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Posts: 2026
| My Loon Topraider, that's caught 2 of my 7 casting fish, is riding low. It sounds like the weight in the tail section has worked loose and it's off balance now. I read somewhere a procedure of gluing the weight back in then filling it with foam. Can anyone tell me the procedure for this? I hate to try a new one since this one moves fish over my other one. Thanks. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | Is it moving more fish because it was riding low? Or is this something that just happened? |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | If the weight comes loose the bait will roll over not ride lower in the water. The reason for riding lower in the water may be because you have a crack or a muskie poked a hole in the body, causing the water to get in.
This riding lower is not a bad thing to a point. If it rides so low that it is under water or you have a hard time keeping on top then it will be a problem. Mine TRs rides lower due to the fact that when I pop one out of the package I take the 5/0s off and place 7/0s hooks and that little size difference makes the bait ride a tad lower. Not only are the hooks better, but that riding a tad lower is also a different sounding bait than he ones out t of the package.
BTW - I don't believe there is any weight in the tail section. |
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Posts: 2026
| No holes and not retaining water. It just doesn't pop to the surface as fast, even with the rod tip up, and I haven't moved a fish on it since I noticed it. Then again, all my hits on it have come away from the boat, except for the last one at boatside. I don't mind it riding low per se, just the not coming up quick and wasting part of the cast. |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | How do you know it's not an water issue? Might only take a few drops to effect it.
If its riding lower something got into the bait, the weight of the bait remains the same if the keel weight came loose.
Another thing, if you really must use this TR, then cast and let it sit till it reaches the surface and then start reeling. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | The weight/rattle in the tail section should be loose. The one in the front, if loose, can affect the action of the lure, typically making it rool or run off center. If the weight got 'stuck' or positioned towards the front of the lure, it could cause it to dive more than before. The weight is a small half moon shaped piece of lead held to the bottom by a small piece of plastic that rests over it after the halves are in place. I've outlined a method for repairing these several years ago, and can be found with search. My friend Erik improved upon this method. The take-away is that you can remove a square off the back large enough to reposition the weight with a tweezers and glue weight/top back into place with Devcon(or other similar) brand Plastic Welder(two part). Getting the weight back to it's original position in the belly on the side oppostite tail rotation, gluing back in with minimal materials added, has been best for us for resurrecting our favorite TR's. I'm not sure if Erik is reading this, but he may have some photos of some repairs he's made. |
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Posts: 2026
| I remember the thread, but searched before posting this and couldn't find it. I'll look again, but pics would be great. |
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Posts: 3157
| I've done this to two top raiders that the weight has come loose,,maybe I've gotten lucky but it's worked both times
Take the hooks off
Open a book like the phone book so there's equal amount of pages on both sides.
Put top Raider in the crease so that it's level and staight.
Use a tiny drill bit or heat the tip of a nail and pierce a hole on the top above weight.
You usually get two little tubes of crazy glue for $1 squirt a whole tube in.
Let it Sit a day,,,, or two if you want.
Take a dab of silicone and cover the hole in back and let it set.
Like I said maybe I've gotten lucky but it's worked,,no loose,,no roll.
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Posts: 581
Location: deephaven mn | where in the bait is the weight supposed to sit ? maybe its obvious when you drill a hole or cut a section out.
i have two of these with loose weights.
of course one is my favorite or used to be
thanks |
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Posts: 3157
| Kap
I think if you just level the bait it settles at or close enough to the original spot to work |
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Posts: 2026
| I emailed Joe and he said the weight is offset. So, what Reef Hawg said is more along the lines of that. I searched again and could not find a thread about repairing a topraider. I may just experiment. Hate to mess with a proven bait, but it hasn't proven itself since I noticed the problem. Which was after the last fish I caught with it. Must have been when it came loose because Tony Grant noticed it after it also. |
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Posts: 3157
| AR
Don't know if you make any swap meets but no matter where they are,,,there's always going to be suicks,reefhawgs,depth raiders, and top raiders,,,you can always find a top Raider for $5
Maybe pick one up and cut it apart to see the whole layout. |
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Posts: 2026
| I live in Arkansas, no swap meets here... My reservation is that of my 2 topraiders, a bright one and this one for the dark one, this one catches, well caught, the fish and the other is not thrown anymore because of that. It also has a loose weight. Call me superstitious, but I think there's something about the loon one that makes it special. I'll try the repair by gluing the weight in, slightly to the other side of the prop. If it holds I can foam it and seal it up. If it doesn't work, then I'd have had to get another loon one anyway. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I wouldn't foam the thing up as mentioned. I'm not going to type the whole repair process up here again. Give me a ring some afternoon and I'll tell you how we do it. Pretty simple. The weight really only goes one way at the bottom of the lure. Once you've removed the skull cap, you'll be able to position it perfectly, and two part plastic weld it into place, where it will be forever, then using the same plastic weld for gluing the top back on. your lure will be like it was before after that. |
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Posts: 6
| Let it ride, might catch more fish than the original. Something different never hurts |
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Posts: 72
| Had 2 topraiders. Both broke after a few fish. Throw it in the bin, pay some extra money for a handmade high quality topwater bait and have fun with it for a long time. (I recommend American Hardwood Lures, but there are definetly other good brands around). |
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Posts: 962
| Yep do your self a favor and throw it in the trash. Ive had 3 break the back hook and tail right off the lure. Also had them get holes in them from fish teeth and they start to sink. Will never use again
Jeff Hanson
madisonmuskyguide.com |
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Posts: 2026
| Too stubborn and superstitious for that right now Jeff and Lugi. I explained my reasoning. Reef I'll check in with ya later this week, thanks for the offer. I got a bunch of spare bucktail material and will tie you up one for your kindness. |
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Posts: 164
| Here is a link to repair.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=18... class='highlight'>Top</span>%20<span class='highlight'>Raider</span>%20<span class='highlight'>repair</span>&highlightmode=1#M331893 |
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Posts: 2026
| Quite a bit back than I searched for. Thanks Dr! |
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Topraider Rides Low