Fat Rap Returns! Hitting Retail Shops 22nd Aug 2009

Latest update: 14 August 2009

The much anticipated Fat Rap returns! Rapala VMC Asia Pacific officially announced the Fat Rap will be launched in tackle shops around Malaysia and Singapore on Saturday, 22nd August 2009!

In anticipation of the launch, here's an article written by FG published in Rod & Line (English) August 2009 issue. Enjoy....

A Legend is born
In 1977, Rapala launched the company’s first proper “round-bodied” lure, designed to dive very deep and to impart a frenetic wobble. The Fat Rap was born to answer to the American fashion in fat bodied lures that were then very popular and effective.

The Fat Rap was introduced in 2 sizes, 5cm and 7cm. The Fat Rap has characteristics that made it a valuable lure. The angler could retrieve hard in order to make the lure dive deep, then stop winding and let the lure float upwards. This type of retrieve was a well-kept secret for a number of years and it worked very well till today. The shape of the lure and its fast, tight action also emitted increased vibrations, so the lure was useful in dark or cloudy water. Till today, the Fat Rap is still regarded as one of the classical bass crank baits in the USA.

The story did not end; the Fat Rap went on catching fishes all around the world and became a legendary lure.

The History of the Fat Rap

The Fat Rap is an improvement to the American-designed crank bait. The original Fat Rap was designed to crank heavy-bodied fish out of intermediate depths and heavy cover. It is guaranteed to track straight as an arrow and digging deep to trigger the strikes. These features made the original Fat Rap into a huge success.

Over the years, due to the success of the original Fat Rap, the Shallow Fat Rap, a shallow running version was introduced in 1978. This lure is identical in every respect to the deep running Fat Rap with the exception of the diving lip which is smaller and designed to run at lesser depths.

Then the Mini Fat Rap 3cm was introduced in 1979. This is the smallest member of the Fat Rap family, especially effective in very shallow water when gamefish are feeding on smaller prey. It also works well in small quiet bodies of water such as ponds, pools and streams.

The Rattlin’ Fat Rap was introduced in 4cm and 5cm sizes in 1991. In 1992, the 7cm model was introduced. This member of the Fat Rap was designed to be louder than the original Fat Rap and best fished in cloudy waters or during falling light conditions.

As there was a request for deeper diving lures, the Deep Down Rattlin’ Fat Rap 7cm was introduced in 1993 and later in 1994, the 5cm model was introduced. This lure has an extra longer bib that will dives down to 4 to 6 meters of water to reach out to those fishes hiding in deeper pools of water. 

The Glass Fat Rap, 5cm and 7cm was introduced in 2004 as technology of plastic molding improves. This gives the newest member a more lifelike look.

All these members of the Fat Rap family are lures that all anglers must have inside their tackle boxes till today.

Fishing the Fat Rap

The Fat Rap has a well earned reputation for taking finicky fish. The tight swimming action of this balsa lure will attract even the weary fishes.

The Fat Rap works great using the “bump the stump” method, based on the fact that fishes like to conceal near the shelter of an ambush point. Cast out to these ambush points or snags and bump them on retrieve. The lure’s strong plastic bib should fend off most hang-ups and stopping the retrieve will allow the lure to float up to avoid snagging. 

Starting slowly, the retrieve is made until the diving lips bumps the bottom. By backing off slightly, the lure will float up slowly, and then the retrieve should begin again. In this manner, the lure can be fished down the slope, bumping the rocks on the bottom occasionally as it descends. Many good anglers start the retrieve with their rod tip high and as the lure descends the slope, gradually lower the rod tip until the deepest portion of the retrieve. Many strikes will occur during the brief pause when the lure is slowly floating upward off the rocks or obstacle. 

Let the Fat Rap work and dig to the desired depth and sooner than later, you will be rewarded with a wrist-numbing strike and the fight will be on. The Fat Rap is made so that even during your slowest retrieve, the Fat Rap is working for you with natural lifelike action. The Rapala Fat Rap has given less-experienced fishermen an instant tool to search for trophy sized fish. 

Over the years, the Original Fat Rap added more members to the family and were greatly successful. However, in end year 2003, the Original Fat Rap was discontinued. It was replaced by the Glass Fat Rap to give it a new look. Over these years, 3.6 million of Fat Rap lures were produced and sold. The Fat Rap has proven to be a great lure and have been very successful with the local species that many local anglers were crying for the return of this legendary lure. The Fat Rap was so sort after, that collectors are willing to pay premium prices for them. Prices went up as high as RM100 in EBay and many are not even willing to let go of their prized assets. 

History will be made as finally Rapala has agreed to make a special production run for the Original Fat Rap in the 5cm and 7cm version. These are exclusively for our local market and only a total of 24,000 pieces of lures will be on sale for both Singapore and Malaysia market. There are also some never seen before colours in the history of the Fat Rap as well as the classic colours which are so effective on the local species.

The Fat Rap will once rule the water and a new history begins.