Shad Raps are generaly used for trolling, and they are effective because Shad Raps will dive to depths that you need for your specific area. Because Shad Rap lures mimic the movement of baitfish, predatory fish will be attracted to these lures. To effectively use Shad Rap lures, there is a variety of different variables that you must account for, such as the speed of your boat, the type of fishing line that you use, and the specific model for the Shad Rap that you use.
The size of the Shad Rap and the speed of the boat determine the depth of a Shad Rap. Smaller model of Shad Rap will stay in shallow waters between four and eight feet in depth. These smaller models are typicaly used when fishing for walleye during the spring.
What Affects How Deep a Shad Rap Goes
Larger models of Shad Rap will dive into depths of ten feet or more into the water column. These larger models are typicaly used when fishing for walleye during the summer months when the walleye move to deeper waters in search of cooler temperatures. Higher speeds of the boat will cause the Shad Rap models to dive into more shallower waters.
Boat speeds that are lower than the speeds used to keep the Shad Rap models in there strike zone will allow for the Shad Rap models to stay in the strike zone for longer amount of time. You can use the GPS readout for the boat to monitor the speed of the boat. The knot meter for the boat may provide inaccuracies in the measurements of the speed when the water contain various waves.
The type of fishing line that you use will also change the depth of the Shad Rap models. If you use thin fishing lines, the Shad Rap models will be able to dive to greater depths. If you use heavier monofilament fishing lines, the Shad Rap models will not dive as deeply into the water column.
Braided and fluorocarbon lines has very little stretch, which allow the Shad Rap models to reach there maximum depth. By using different types of fishing lines on different fishing rods, you can cover a variety of depths. By using different types of fishing lines, you can fish the entire water column that you encounter when on the water.
By using a snap weight, you can also increase the depth of the Shad Rap models. A snap weight is a weight that can be clipped onto the fishing line. If you place the weight ten feet above the Shad Rap model, the Shad Rap will reach a greater depth.
If you place the weight further from the Shad Rap model, the Shad Rap will reach an even greater depth. Planer boards help to move the Shad Rap models to the area of the water where there is no propeller disturbance from the boat. This will allow the Shad Rap models to reach the cleanest waters.
Additionally, the angle of the fishing rod will also change the depth of the Shad Rap models. If the rod is angled with the tip of the rod pointing down, the Shad Rap models will dive to deeper waters. If you hold the tip of the rod up, the Shad Rap models will remain in shallower waters.
Different species of fish prefers certain depths in the water when using Shad Rap models. Walleye fish prefer to stay in the mid-depth waters. Bass fish prefer to stay in shallow waters.
Pike fish prefers larger Shad Rap models and will stay near the bottom of the fish area. Salmon and trout fish prefers deeper waters, and they will remain in those areas with the Shad Rap models while they are pulled at steady speeds. The different seasons of the year will also change where you should of use Shad Rap models.
During the spring and fall, walleye fish are found in the middle of the water column. During the summer and winter, walleye fish are found in the deeper parts of the water column.