fishON4Me 
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Rapalas for Steelheading
Hello all! I just was thinking, since I am new to this sport, anyone ever try Rapala lures for steelheading at the mouth of the creeks or in the creeks? I tried spoons and rooster tails but never tried Rapalas. I had good success with Rapalas over the summer catching muskie and bass. If you think Rapalas would work can you recommend a model number and size/color Rapala for trying it out at the mouths this season. Thank you for all your replies.
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kyler16
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/04 19:26:06
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Ive caught a few steelhead on Rapala countdowns the brown trout pattern and the silver minnow pattern. Steelhead hit about anything. Hell a guy told me me used a peice of red thread and had one nail it.
"If you kill it, eat it. If you eat it, cook it right." -Steve Rinella
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Kokanee Killer
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/04 19:27:52
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pins minnows also work but a rapala size 7 silver black is good
I have become comfortably numb
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Storm Warning 2
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/04 20:21:39
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PanfishSlayer
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/04 20:24:34
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Pumpkin Seed Rebel WeeCray (spelling?) Got my Citation on it :)
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Cold
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/04 20:57:30
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I'll probably try my shiner F-3 (basically all chrome colored), at mouths and into the lake, I've caught more different fish on that lure than any other lure I've ever used, except for a rainbow trout colored 1/16 oz. rooster tail.
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joebaker79
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/04 22:21:18
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One thing to consider is castability. When fish are roaming everywhere at the mouths you'll catch a few on almost anything. More often than not a good casting spinner or spoon will get you in more strike zones just from distance alone. I've caught countless fish as far as I can cast a good spoon on a full spool of line almost as soon as it hits the water. For my money any situation where a fish will chase a rapala I will toss a flatfish with a split shot on it. Much more slower retrieve and the fish will chase it to your feet. This is my theory from shore at least. On a boat, almost anything goes.
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avidangler
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/04 22:25:38
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Trout love them i don't see why early season steelhead wouldn't.. Flatfish are a good bait, never did a whole lot for me but i've watched guys catch them w flatfish.
Born to fish, Forced to work... "Balls deep, or why even bother"
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genieman77
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/04 22:58:35
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ORIGINAL: fishON4Me
anyone ever try Rapala lures for steelheading at the mouth of the creeks or in the creeks?
yes, in the creeks floating/shallow divers The smaller ones worked better than larger ones. natural fish/minnow color I also had success on a weird color Rapala. I think it's called a "clown" Rapala It's bright red and white Another lure is the Banjo Minnow. I watched a dude SLAY the the steel in a gin clear pool once. As soon as it hit the water after the first "twitch" , there steelies all over it ..L.T.A.
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><>er man
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/04 23:03:45
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i do remember my first year of steel fishing lost a black and silver yozuri crystal minnow at the mouth of elk it was my first hook up ever on these fish one of my best memories......
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glen
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 06:56:35
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I WOULDN'T USE ANYTHING WITH A TREBLE HOOK IN THE STREAM. IF YOU WANT TO PLAY WITH LURES, CHANGE THE TREBLES TO A SINGLE HOOK. YOU'LL FOUL HOOK LESS FISH, PLUS YOU WON'T GET ARRESTED IN N.Y.
GLEN
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griffon
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 07:12:54
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Glen, That is not completely true about NY. As long as you are using a floating style lure with free swinging hooks attached by a split ring or swivel, trebles are legal.
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catchinfish
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 08:27:21
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I haven't used any rapalas yet but last season my buddy caught one on an egg sac that had a rapala in its face.
"I know not what with weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." -Albert Einstein
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tommybanzai
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 09:03:28
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ORIGINAL: griffon
Glen, That is not completely true about NY. As long as you are using a floating style lure with free swinging hooks attached by a split ring or swivel, trebles are legal.
Ditto
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gonefishin
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 12:22:22
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A size 3 rainbow colored Rapala has been effective for me in the streams. I caught my largest steelhead on it. I gave it a brief try in the lake once, but castability is an issue so I stick with the Cleo and KO Wobblers there.
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centerpindaddy
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 13:07:11
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#7 Husky Jerk casts very nice and tracks well in the current.
post edited by centerpindaddy - 2008/09/05 13:08:34
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Deadbolt401
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 13:27:35
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Little Cloes worked for me last year on elk when nothing was being caught.
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seejib
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 14:07:44
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The big thing about throwing raps is you have a good chance at snagging/foul hook in some fish if your at the mouths. I have never had any luck with them in the streams but I don't have any small raps either. It sounds like some more money to spend. Ha thank God I'm not married, between golfing and fishing she would have my nuts, you know what, off
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gizmos
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 14:29:08
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2 years ago I pounded them way up the creek on a small generic blue silver rattle trap. They wouldnt touch anything I tossed or floated, so I tossed it out of boredom. Even ended up changing the hooks once cause they straightened or broke them. You never know !! (none were snagged !! )
Eat what you catch,troll for cows.
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genieman77
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 15:45:31
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ORIGINAL: seejib
Ha thank God I'm not married, between golfing and fishing she would have my nuts, you know what, off
LOL!!! add reloading gear and competitive pistol shooting to that mix  When you do get married, you'll need to learn to squirrel some donuts away. I call it my "sneak money" It's wise to sneak the "goods" in the house too. as far as foul hook/snagging fish, I don't know that Rapalas are any more or less prone to foul hooking than spoons or any other similar lures. Or even a tandem fly rig for that matter ..L.T.A.
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seejib
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 17:57:18
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I'm going to have a fly rod for the first time this year. Everyone has told me that I will want to throw my spin cast away. I doubt that will happen but you never know? Oh, I forgot my skiing equipment too. Ahhh....I need to sell more cars I think. Any takers?
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SPIKER
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 18:44:52
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Rapalas are awesome,dont let anyone tell ya different.Reel them in fast for a reaction strike,usually they whack it by there tail first to stun it!
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genieman77
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 20:15:00
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ORIGINAL: seejib
I'm going to have a fly rod for the first time this year. Everyone has told me that I will want to throw my spin cast away.
you might, you might not Seej. There's no such thing as "one" perfect rod for all types of water and presentations. i fish with a fly rod 99.9% of the time and have been for years. Mostly cause I like to toss tiny light stuff and a close second cause it's easier on my jacked up shoulders. Other wise, i wouldn't be a "one tool" mechanic. from what I see on tribs, a lot of folks fish the "chuck and duck" method with fly rods. Essentially they're right angle float fishing with a fly rod. imHo, they'd be better served to use a spin outfit. But, to each his own, I s'pose... be patient, learn to cast and learn different mending techniques to make your presentation do different things in different types of water, and you'll like the fly rod I'm sure ..L.T.A.
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kyler16
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 22:38:00
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Use both, there is different enjoyment from each.
flys u tied and a fly rod to trick that chrome is great
Jigs on a noodle rod get it into those hard to cast places again u tied it u tricked that chrome.
heck this year I was thinkin bout the time I tried fishing for steelhead in the rapids with just a emerald shiner no float, my friend who showed me steelhead fishing said ill never be able to tell if they hit without a indicator, and wouldnt u know it BAM i felt one hit and it was great!
wether u use bait or jigs or flies its always an enjoyment!
"If you kill it, eat it. If you eat it, cook it right." -Steve Rinella
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woodnickle
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/05 23:04:48
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ORIGINAL: seejib
I'm going to have a fly rod for the first time this year. Everyone has told me that I will want to throw my spin cast away. I doubt that will happen but you never know? Oh, I forgot my skiing equipment too. Ahhh....I need to sell more cars I think. Any takers?
Do you have one that runs on water? If ya have to pee on the way there just juice your tank. lol
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smallhook
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/06 00:28:29
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Near the mouths or in pools when your by yourself they work good. I had one hit a piece of pink yarn last year.
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indsguiz
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/06 08:23:51
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Sometimes diving Raps can be very effective in deep fast pools where the fish are holding on the bottom and you can't get a drift down with anything else. The natural diving action pulls them down in the fast water and you can actully feel the lure tapping on the rocks on the bottom. Smaller sizes are best 2" (-) in silver, brookie, perch and harlequin. Pin minnows also work well. The only daw back to this technique is that you might (will) loose a few lures till you learn the difference betwen the tap of a rock and the tap of a fish. It's awfully hard to set the hook into the shale of Elk, but I've tried.
Illegitimis Non carborundum
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glen
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/06 08:43:16
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ORIGINAL: griffon
Glen, That is not completely true about NY. As long as you are using a floating style lure with free swinging hooks attached by a split ring or swivel, trebles are legal.
YOU ARE RIGHT, BUT NOT COMPLETELY Restrictions On The Use Of Multiple Hooks with Multiple Points On Floating Lures Waters With Restrictions On The Use Of Multiple Hooks with Multiple Points On Floating Lures Water County Regulation All Lake Ontario tributaries except the Oswego and Salmon Rivers Cayuga & Oswego Restricted to 1 hook with a single hook point September 1 through March 31 Salmon River Oswego Restricted to 1 hook with a single hook point August 15 through October 31 Genesee River Monroe Restricted to 1 hook with a single hook point from the Driving Park bridge upstream to the lower falls September 1 through November 30 All other tributaries and the Oswego River All Multiple single, double, or treble hooks are permitted at all times THAT MIGHT HELP CLARIFY FLOATING LURES SPINNERS AND SPOONS HAVE TO HAVE A SINGLE HOOK IN THE TRIBS
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sixers
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/07 08:46:22
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I read a book entitled "spinning for steelhead" and am now a spinner guy. Last year, I had the best year ever for steel in the ohio creeks.
Many eggsack guys out fished me some days. but on a day to day basis I will never go back to bait. I bought over 100 used mepps on ebay, reconditioned them, new hooks and sone elbow grease on the blade. The new hooks were the most expensive part. Sometimes you can find 50 used mepps for $25 - $30.
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Blowchowski
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RE: Rapalas for Steelheading
2008/09/07 08:55:22
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Don't ever troll Rapala's up Conneaut creek either!!!!! They don't work!!
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