When to Fish the Rapala Shadow Rap vs. Shadow Rap Shad

Rapala’s Shadow Rap and Shadow Rap Shad have proven extremely effective for bass fishing in cooler waters. They perform very differently under the water however, with the Shadow Rap maintaining a neutral buoyancy and slow sink, and the Shadow Rap Shad a slow riser on the pause.
Each has a distinct time and place depending on the mood of the fish, which is largely dictated by the season. Elite Series pro Seth Feider has fished both extensively, and shares his thoughts on when to fish each. Bottom line, they’re both beautiful baits that deserve a home in your coveted jerkbait box, and will produce bass anytime they’re on a jerkbait chew.
Featured Tackle & Seth's Jerkbait Equipment:
-Rapala Shadow Rap: goo.gl/jgGTn2
-Rapala Shadow Rap Deep: goo.gl/iuuGi5
-Rapala Shadow Rap Shad: goo.gl/DiuyYj
-Rapala Shadow Rap Shad Deep: goo.gl/XPjsUF
-Daiwa SV105 Casting Reels: goo.gl/2EslkE
-Daiwa Tatula Casting Rod, 6'9'' Med Lt: goo.gl/7htI3p
-Sufix Invisiline Castable Fluorocarbon: goo.gl/HXd9Fr

[@zeromatica]

Love this guys videos. I tend to buy stuff before i think of the use. But watching his videos really helps me understand what time of year and weather to use baits and has helped me catch more fish in these colder months in Houston.

[@struckus]

the shadow rap shad deep has been a killer for me this year..I have never gotten anything to hit the shadow until last weekend when a rock bass snagged it..still the shad deep has gotten me my best fish this year..check those shad deeps ..f'in amazing

[@robertbrost7777]

Just what I was looking for. Going to try both, the Shadow Rap now. Question: Shadow Rap vs RipStop. What are the differences in time of year, depth....... between the two and, is there a definite set of rules for what time of year I should try both? I've used the RipStop as a suspending jerkbait. Seems the Shadow Rap is a slow sinker. Thanks.

[@SgawCules]

The ripstop floats lmfao, I personally don't like it for the reason as a jerkbait

[@BassGeek]

Great info and 2 of my favorite jerkbaits.

[@TownOutdoors32]

I fish these year around and I’m very successful 💯

[@brandonsmith9928]

What type? and what size? replacement hooks should be used with the slow rise Shadow Rap Shad???

[@joeduca8582]

Thanks, I'll be doing more thinking when picking out baits. What he said makes a lot of sense, he's very "tuned in", I guess that's why he's a pro. Awesome video guys! 👍👌

[@WaynJul]

Really good tips and presentation.

[@Aquillies680]

ive had better success with bass and walleye with the shadow rap deeps.

[@Tatorhead1234]

I have a question. it's about the depth of jerk baits. say the dept is 4-6', does the bait initially sink to that depth, or when you jerk it dives that distance, or every jerk it dives another 4-6'?? this has been driving me crazy. I've never fished with one so I apologise if it's a silly question

[@Wired2Fish]

Hi Hunter, good question. For most crankbaits with a lip, published running depth is usually reached on the cast or troll using appropriate equipment -- they have to be moved forward to reach that depth, which creates resistance against the lip and drives the lure down in the water. There are sinking hard baits like the Countdown Rapala, which you can literally count down about 1' per second, then start retrieving at the depth you're targeting fish at. In the case of this video, Seth is probably using 10' fluorocarbon line. When he starts working the bait in, it dives deeper and deeper on jerks unit it hits the 4' to 6' range, which it then maintains until you get near the boat.

[@Tatorhead1234]

Wired2Fish thanks for the answer. where I fish, generally it has grass on the bottom. would both of these work? Also, what's your favorite frog? I tried the lunkerhunt frogs. The combat frog just sucks. every throw it fills with water and doesn't sit true. The medium sized one retrieves great, but I lost a leg the first day I used it.

[@chuckd5877]

In short that is how deep they will run when you reel the lure and the lip causes it to dive down. However, some are sinking so if you let them sink a while, they'll go deeper than the depth they're advertised at. Suspending lures won't sink and will stay right where you pause them. The running depth of either type of lure is also determined by how fast you reel/retrieve the lure and the type of line you use.

[@staveywavy1321]

i have been following seth for a little while now definitely one of my favorite pros even got me to buy some of those Diawa reels

[@Wired2Fish]

We're on the same page. He has a great way of simplifying things and making you think "why didn't I think of that." Straight up honest and pure content.

[@V_E_G_E_T_A_R_D]

saw a Pixy Type R

[@chewls1133]

No wonder I'm not catching any winter bass, I'm using the wrong shadow rap.

[@fishwithoutfear8970]

The shadow rap shallow and deep have been BIG producers for me this year. The only reason I haven't tried the shad is because I'm still in love with xraps for that aggressive warm water bite. Either way a Rapala will always be my go-to jerkbait.

[@Wired2Fish]

Right on Fish Without Fear. Tough putting the X-Raps down but each jerkbait definitely has its time and place. We published this action-packed prespawn X-Rap smallmouth video earlier this year: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d17Cn3yci7aobNk

[@jeffzabriskie9689]

awesome video. i was in the store the other day, standing with both these in my hand looking like i was some kind of special, with no clue what the difference was.

[@Wired2Fish]

Good deal Jeff, we learned a lot from this too, and love Seth's no nonsense and well explained videos. Engineers always have a design intent, and Seth did a great job covering down on it.

[@jimmin9802]

Thanks for the info.

[@Wired2Fish]

Our pleasure Jim. Thanks for tuning in.

[@professor.raptor5666]

This is the opposite from what ive seen on the water the shad works really good in the pre spawn then the regular works well throughout the year :/

[@sophiagordon9913]

Huh uhh

[@buckshotbuddy565]

Joe walshs brother?

[@tunanorth]

Very cool!

[@catmastercatfishing7436]

👍💯💯💯

[@bryine.willis8683]

$1,000,000.00

[@Tubetopfan1]

So, basically, this is a marketing attempt to get you to buy both.

[@Wired2Fish]

Both are outstanding fish catchers, and we've had a lot of inquiries on the differences between so this video is aimed at addressing those questions. Seth breaks this down very objectively, and the same content applies to many manufacturer's jerkbaits.

[@jakechimiak9626]

I wouldn’t accept money to hear him say shadow rap again

[@ShoahBiz]

Jake Chimiak maybe you shouldn’t be watching a video about shadow raps, then?