Modifed Shad rap and Dropshot Rig.

I love trolling for trout but hate using weights,wires or planners. I just like to tie on a lure and paddle. I got this lure from a guy who customizes lures. This sucker dives steep but still floats with 6lb mono and 150' of line out it hits over 20' as an added bonus the weight tightens up the wiggle (ala Mooch) which looks more natural. Works great for trolling points too when it gets shallower than 20' I just slow a little it floats up and I'm good plus when you hook up on the other pole it don't hang bottom. I caught all but one of my fish on sunday on this lure.

Dropshotting for Trout I tied a normal Dropshot rig but put two hooks 2' apart from each other, next time I will put a jig on the bottom for 3 I used Roboworm's 3' alive shad on each hook. It was a little windy on Sunday to give this a fair shot but I caught one and lost another and only used it while I ate lunch drifting across the lake. 

Thanks for posting that...  That's exactly what I need.  Should catch just about anything that swims, too.

The modified shad rap is intriguing. How much weight was added to what looks like an SR5? How was it affixed? I've been toying with the idea of replacing the treble hooks with siwash hooks. Any thoughts on what size hook to use to retain the action other than experiment with different sized ones in the kitchen sink?

Janice aka "Big J"

How much weight was added to what looks like an SR5?

It's a SR8 I'm trying to figure out the weight,I'm going to try as much as I can and still have it float.

what size hook to use to retain the action /quote] 
The same weight hook should retain the same action less more action more less.

I have a modified SR5 and fish it just as much and it hasn't caught a fish yet go figure? Maybe it's the flashabu tail the 5 just has bare hooks.

Some saltwater plugs have a ring on the underside of the bill to add a weight and make them dive deeped.  I wonder if doing something similar for these types of plugs, and just adding a small teardrop weight, would accomplish the same thing.

-Allen

....or, you can also buy those "round" split shots and pinch one on the hook shaft of the first treble hook (the one closest to the lip) - to make the shad rap dive down even more  Just make sure you test the action first - to make sure it runs true. 

mooches comment about checking the action is wise.

modifying lures, especially plugs is a bit risky as they 'tank tune' those things with the stock hooks. or so they advertise.

if there's not enough weight on the bottom of a lipped lure, it can roll as you go faster and flip over, then the lip causes the lure to waterski to the surface instead of diving. 

that said, I have tried a lot of variations and some variations do work fine.

like here's a 5cm floating rapala with the front hook removed and a split shot clamped onto the hook hanger to compensate for the loss of the weight of the hook, then the back hook is actually a circle hook (!!) with the tail of a pinfish pinned on. this was in the florida keys, in real shallow water like 1-5 feet. the fish is a baby atlantic barracuda. it did come while trolling on a kayak.



one problem with siwash hooks is that the point is parallel to the shaft, but that means when you pull it the point sticks out a bit, so it snags and bends etc. if you put a little bend in the shaft of the siwash, the point points truly forward.

they do sell those plastic glass raps that suspend. that might be easier than adding weight to a floating shad rap?

also I have used those seps micro flashers with a little bullet weight added to the front of them and trailed the shad rap behind them. that combo sinks an SR5, but only the flashers are on the bottom, the lure floats above the bottom, so you don't usually snag. that worked for me.

J

You can buy a product called suspend dots and they work on an SR5 but not heavy enough for a SR8. Putting weight on the hook loop might make it go a little deeper because of the weight but won't make it dive at a greater angle like it does with the weight so far forward on the bill. When I reel in everytime it amazes me that it stays down till I get it boatside then comes stright up. Plus no more drag than a normal SR8.

sounds like a winner. btw, your hook point looks bent a bit in that closeup! I know, so many fish! 

you could swap the trailer hooks and see if that results in the SR5 getting hit instead?

J

your hook point looks bent a bit in that closeup! I know, so many fish! 

When I posted I thought that would be the first comment You guys are slacking.

you could swap the trailer hooks and see if that results in the SR5 getting hit instead?

Ain't touching that lure I 'm making some more trailers.

Looks good.

I'm also glad that there is hope for my two SR7s. I thought only SR5's could catch fish!

J- any lure made by Rapala catches fish  If you can't catch fish with a rapala, you shouldn't be allowed to fish at all 

God bless the Late Laurie Rapala = one of my heroes 

God bless the Late Laurie Rapala = one of my heroes  salut

Amen                 My fist lure was a Rapala and it caught fish till the paint was completely gone A Rapala will be my last lure.

Rapala makes great lures.  I have one "lucky" CD14 that has caught soooooo many fishits on its third or fourth set of hooks.  It is an incredible fish catcher.  I have also had great success with x-raps of all sizes...solid products.

This looks like a cool way to get them a little deeper.