How to Fish With a Rapala Jigging Shad

All images and illustrations by Daniel Ray

Fishing an artificial lure like a jig or bucktail was never a problem when ice fishing. But if you wanted to use a conventional crankbait-type lure, you were out of luck. That is why Rapala developed the Jigging Shad Rap. With the added hooks and a center-mounted eyelet on the shad-type body, this lure can be fished straight down. When jigged, the lure will swim in circles, attracting strikes from any fish in the area. Winter or summer, the Jigging Shad Rap is a proven fish getter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Rapala Jigging Shad Rap
Rapala Jigging Shad Rap

Step 1

Locate submerged structure or concentrations of fish when fishing in summer or winter. Attach the lure with a loop knot. See the References section below for more on loop knots.

Step 2

Lower the lure all the way to the bottom. Reel until the Jigging Shad Rap is 1 to 2 feet off the bottom.

Step 3

Slowly raise the rod tip 1 to 2 feet and rapidly drop back to the starting position. This will cause the lure to swim slowly in circles, attracting fish. Repeat this motion until a fish strikes.

Step 4

Rapidly raise and drop the rod tip 1 to 2 feet. The fast motion will cause the lure to dart rapidly in circles, simulating a nervous baitfish. Repeat until you get a strike.

Step 5

Rapidly twitch the rod tip. The Jigging Shad rap will "vibrate" while staying at the same depth. Vary the frequency of the jigging to attract a fish.

Tips & Warnings

Use caution when working with hooks.

Resources

Article Written By Daniel Ray

Daniel Ray has been writing for over 15 years. He has been published in "Florida Sportsman" magazine. He holds an FAA airframe and powerplant license and FCC radiotelephone license, and is also a licensed private pilot. He attended the University of South Florida.

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