Flaptails all have a similar action. The sounds that come from the bait really sets them apart. Hifin's work well, but seem to slide through the water, and tend to roll after inserting a trailer, compared to  some of the newer ones , Custom built are more blunt up front, and push a better wake, and run more true. What I liked on the Hifin's, they were light weight, and were not easily thrown once hooking fish.

Your retrieve speed should just be fast enough to get the blade to flip-flop out on the surface.

William;  If you go to basement baits, on page 7, under sights and Sonics! I have a Video of my custom Flaptails in Action. That is what a flaptail should look like working Properly.

 JD

William ; I Usually build about 12-18 surface baits a year. I make them in fall, so I have Time to water Test them. I usually have a few left till late spring.

 JD