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Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [30 messages per page] More Muskie Fishing -> Basement Baits and Custom Lure Painting -> Soft Tail Raptor

Message Subject: Soft Tail Raptor

anzomcik

Posted 3/12/2014 8:44 PM (#698759)
Subject: Soft Tail Raptor

Posts: 532

A new version of the Raptor jerk bait is the 8" soft tail. When I started to think about making a soft tail I was a little leery about changing a bait that ran so well. I had feared it would mess up the balance, or just look out of place. But I am very pleased with how the bait turned out. Just like the original Raptor it is very near neutral buoyant, and can reach almost the same running depth. Both of those were big for me and I would have canned the project if I couldn't make those happen.

Here are some colors I played around with, some combos clicked for me, some not so much. But I like them all.

As it turned out the soft tail Raptor seemed to be easier to run for the clients of my good friend Todd at Muddy Creek Fishing Guides (Todd helped myself build the first Raptor and had a big part with making the soft tail version). Like all softtailed baits the tail takes away some of the action, that cant be avoided.

What Todd noticed was since this was a chop style jerkbait the action suffered very little because the action is the user pulling the rod, it just has slightly more resistance on the pull. With the extra resistance the bait little wonder is slightly less on the pulls and stop quicker once the pull was done. Those combined to allow for the user to be more sloppy with keep slack line to minimum, which slack line can loose you fish that hit. Being able to see a tail swimming aided in the visual department for the user as well.

Anyway in one week Todd had clients catch the two biggest casting muskies he ever netted (friends, family, clients...). That's something make makes me feel good, and the lady in the photo below recently got her replica mount back. As far as I know she is the only one has a replica mount of a fish caught on a bait I made. Very cool feeling, and couldn't be happier for the women who caught and released that musky.

So a new twist on a bait I made last year, I also have taken a liking to seeing those grubs on the back.

muskyroller

Posted 3/12/2014 10:27 PM (#698788 - in reply to #698759)
Subject: Re: Soft Tail Raptor

Posts: 1039

Location: North St. Paul, MN

These are sweet...Andy, love the four with the orange tails. I personally own two of these and they have great action. I found with the 8" that I liked a solid wire leader and with the 6" that I have I get better action with the seven-strand wire. Tried all three types of leaders and that's what I came up with liking the best for action. Andy or anyone else want to chime in on leader types, what you like, and why?

Brad P

Posted 3/13/2014 8:50 AM (#698829 - in reply to #698759)
Subject: Re: Soft Tail Raptor

Posts: 833

Absolutely gorgeous Lures. If you are willing to sell one I’d be happy to buy it.

On the leader question: I have not tried this leader type with D&R yet, but I use it a great deal with Gliders. I tie a knotless wind-on leader with a splice and hollow core line. The leader material is 130# Flouro. The leader itself is 12” to 15” and tied to a single welded ring. I think use a split ring to attach my lures to the line. This leader has the best glider action I’ve found, even better than usually recommended wire alternatives. It is an investment to get the stuff to tie one of these, but it pays off over the long haul, I’m on my 3rd season with my glider leader.

bowhunter29

Posted 3/13/2014 9:03 AM (#698833 - in reply to #698759)
Subject: Re: Soft Tail Raptor

Posts: 910

Location: South-Central VA

Sick!

jeremy

ShutUpNFish

Posted 3/13/2014 9:34 AM (#698844 - in reply to #698829)
Subject: Re: Soft Tail Raptor

Posts: 1202

Location: Money, PA

Brad P - 3/13/2014 8:50 AM

Absolutely gorgeous Lures. If you are willing to sell one I’d be happy to buy it.

On the leader question: I have not tried this leader type with D&R yet, but I use it a great deal with Gliders. I tie a knotless wind-on leader with a splice and hollow core line. The leader material is 130# Flouro. The leader itself is 12” to 15” and tied to a single welded ring. I think use a split ring to attach my lures to the line. This leader has the best glider action I’ve found, even better than usually recommended wire alternatives. It is an investment to get the stuff to tie one of these, but it pays off over the long haul, I’m on my 3rd season with my glider leader.

Brad, I'd think he is willing since that's what he makes them for...lol just click on the link at the bottom of his post and that will take you to his website where you can find all the info needed to buy them.

anzomcik

Posted 3/13/2014 11:36 AM (#698895 - in reply to #698759)
Subject: Re: Soft Tail Raptor

Posts: 532

For a leader, I keep it to a 9-11 inch fluro 100#. I run that leader for every style of bait I cast. I do this because I have narrowed down my rod and reel combos to just one do everything combo. I was tripping to much on rods in my boat before and now the only rod i have for casting is in my hands.

So ya I use fluro and like it alot, but I also have not tried any other material for a leader so I could be missing out.

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