X-Rap Walk 11

Remember the sausage FG caught his Temensis on a few weeks back? That's the new X-Rap Walk 11. Understand that they have it in size 9cm as well up and coming.

Good stuff I must say... at least the Tomans wont be so 'blind' to explode on and miss the bigger X-Rap Walk 13. Size 11 is perfect for freshwater applications.

More jealousy pictures courtesy of FG....

I seriously need to go fishing.... like... now... :(

Sebbie on Skitter Pop 9! Ganas!!

Fire Tiger Skitter Pop

FG threw me a couple of new colours for some lures last week and one of them stood out as clear as day - it was a Fire Tiger Skitter Pop! I've wanted to test out this hot colour on Malaysian Toman but FG beat me to it! Argh!

Check out some cool shots....

WARNING: What you will see will cause you to suffer uncontrollable bouts of wanting to get one. Not for the faint hearted!

Top to Bottom: Rapala X-Rap Redhead, Storm Chug Bug Hot Pink & Fire Tiger Skitter Pop

The verdict: Just like the Fat Raps, Fire Tiger pattern is HOT!

Glidin' Rap as a GT Lure?

When all else fails and you're almost to the point of tearing your hair out when the fish are finicky....

When poppers dont work.... time to be creative. Experiment... no matter how weird it may seem.

It can yield surprises. :)

Shimano Curado 200 E5

Had a few queries about the baitcaster used in a few freshwater trip posts. It's the new Shimano Curado 200 E5, the next generation, small body-big cap, low profile baitcaster.

This baby has the body of a size 100 but boasts a line cap of a size 200! Check out the specs:

Line Cap (lbs/yds): 8/180, 10/155, 14/110

Gear Ratio: 5.0:1

Line retrieve per crank: 21 inches

Weight: 7.6oz

Bearings: 6BB, 1RB

Max drag: 12lb

Small, cute reel with tough muscle. Oh, and did I mention the moss-green colour on the reel actually 'changes' colour like a chameleon to a darker shade of green on different lighting?

Check out the detailed review at Tackle Tour:

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocuradoe5.html

Cichla Temensis on.... Lure X

After many attempts, FG triumphantly lands a Temensis on .............. Lure X!

The water erupted just after one or two "walks". Beautiful fish! Look at those colours! Congrats FG!

Lure X.... A new variant of Skitter Walk? I could be wrong... stay tuned!

All that Rattlin' & Clackin'

I seriously am wondering if Barramundi do attack noisy lures out of pure agitation due to the irritating noise.

Sound travels faster in water vs. air by about 4 times through waves or vibrations. Hang on... can fishes even 'hear' in the first place?? They dont have ears.... or do they? Ok... I'm no fish scientist here but fishes indeed do have stuff in their heads called otoliths that vibrate and translate to information to the fish. Similar to the human inner ear, it also helps the fish to 'balance' itself. Of course, the other more visible sensory organ is the fishes' lateral line, which helps it detect movement and vibration as they bounce off its body. 

So whether or not the fish actually 'hears' the same sound and translates it to the same tone as what we 'hear' is anyone's guess - we'll need to first catch a talking fish and then ask if it hears the same Rattlin' Rap's tone as us. But one thing's for sure, the vibrations in the water do cause the fish to either fight (or strike) or flee.  

In the case of the big Barramundis at Semeling, somehow they had this liking for really loud, rattling lures when all other lures didn't seem to attract. I'd personally think they were really irritated more than hungry. 

Can you imagine a baby rattle shaking away non-stop in front of your face? 

1-2 minutes... Bearable. 

Try a good 15mins or more of continuous rattling... 

*RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE*......  "BOOOF!"

Get the idea?

Visited: Giant Barra Pond

After much 'poisoning' from photos of my mates holding big Barra and smiling ear to ear, I couldn't take it anymore. Back home I went! (Thank God for budget airlines!)

As usual early morning, Jeffroman was ready - it was great to see him again after a long while and to fish with this good buddy of mine again. I was assured I wouldn't lack jokes supply for the day.

From what I gather, the pond was pretty deep and there was where the fish were holding. So sinking lures and deep divers were the order of the day. 

The locals swore by the Rapala Rattlin' Raps and Clackin' Raps. I figured they went deep down enough to make a ruckus below that the Barra had no choice but to 'shut' them up. Imagine a buzzing, noisy fly or mosquito whizzing around your face long enough. You get what I mean?

Actually the action was quite far from what was happening few weeks back. When KH and Jeff descended upon the pond when it was first opened, the fish practically took anything and everything that landed on the water. But after a few weeks of fishing pressure, the fish had wised up and were not so easy to fool with lures. 

Initially upon landing some big ones, Jeff and I were extremely excited and overjoyed but, as with all things, too much of a good thing becomes boring.... and as afternoon approached, we were already bored catching 3-4kg fish. 

More and more people came and soon we were having a party at all sides. This young dude was extremely overjoyed to land a Giant Barra - the biggest fish of his life - on, of course, a Rapala Magnum! To quote him, "It made faking sick, just to get leave to go fishing WORTH IT!"  Mind you, this dude drove all the way from the South way up to the North just to fish! 

Respect!!!

All in all, Jeff and I concluded it was a nice place to target Big Barra if you haven't really tried it before. But latest news received was that it was really, really difficult to get the big ones...those excess of 10kg and above now. (smart fish!). We shall be back!

Rapala Fat Rap Launch

Saturday - 22nd August 2009

The much anticipated date arrived for Rapala Fat Rap fans waiting eagerly for the official Fat Raps to be available on retail stores. In Singapore, the Fat Rap was officially launched at Hot Spot Bait & Tackle, located at Kandahar Street. 

The popular Rapala Fat Raps were discontinued in 2003 to the disappointment of many Toman, Sebarau & Grouper anglers in Malaysia & Singapore who have found them to be most deadly on these species. Recognizing there was still much demand for these fantastic balsa-wood lures, Rapala VMC Asia Pacific brought these lures back for a limited, special production run with only a limited 24,000 pieces only available in Singapore and Malaysia retail stores (of course, not surprisingly some of these may find their way onto the Internet) with some new colours too. 

Opening some of the stock in the store in preparation for the crowds

Hubby: All I want for Christmas...

Wife: No.

There was a buffet spread too for the Fat Rap launch

Fred Goh, Sales & Marketing Manager for Rapala VMC Asia Pacific - the brainchild of the Rapala Fat Rap 'limited resurrection'

Hot Spot Bait & Tackle @ 56 Kandahar Street, Singapore - a Rapala Premium Dealer

They stock a good selection of Storm & Rapala lures

The first customer with Rapala T-Shirt (free with purchases of 12 pcs & above)

FR05 & FR07 in classic and new colours

The lures disappeared unbelievably fast! In fact, some models were almost gone by the afternoon!

Wen Long, Hot Spot's young, energetic and enterprising proprietor

It was no surprise that by late afternoon, most of the lures were already snapped up by droves of anglers who have waited in much anticipation for the limited stock available. 

Have you got yours yet?

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. 

Giant Barramundi - Semeling, Kedah

Photos by TKH & Jeffroman (Minnow) 

  

About 1 month back, Rapala angler KH in Northern Malaysia reported in that a new catch & release pond had opened somewhere in Semeling, Kedah. With Bedong Angling Park and the now defunct Kakilai pond providing thrills to lure anglers up north, this pond is sure to add to the action - with Barramundi starting from 3kg and above while Mangrove Jacks above 1kg roam the waters.

Initially I didn't think much. In my mind, I thought it was just another paypond... until the pics arrived. To add to the 'poison', Jeffroman also had the opportunity to fish the pond that same weekend and sent in pictures as well. This warranted for an exploratory trip up there!

Here's what the boys reported in two separate trips:

Giant MJ on Rattlin' Rap

They also fancied Twitchin' Raps

BTW this is a Glidin' Rap and not a Twitchin' Rap. You can estimate the fish size ;)

Self-explanatory: This pic and next two, itself was enough to warrant me a trip to go up there and check this place out!

Jeffroman's precious Shad Rap mutilated by a monster. Sign of being bullied.

That's a nice Jack

Storm Wildeye SP totally engulfed by the Jack

More to come...