Jointed Shad Rap
There goes your relaxing day on the lake. Back in 1983 when the original Shad Rap was introduced, the Rapala design team was searching to create the best crankbait ever. They have arguably done that. Now, with the introduction of the rattling, suspending Jointed Shad Rap, they've taken it one step further.

"Sometimes just a slight exaggeration is all that it takes," said Mark Fisher, head of Rapala's Pro Staff. "The Jointed Shad Rap takes the wounded minnow action a step further than the original, as it sends out a distinct 'baitfish in distress' signal. Fish don't just see a wounded minnow, they see a very vulnerable, broken minnow."

The Jointed Shad Rap (2-inch length, 1/4 oz., two treble hooks) is ideally suited to the slowest possible rate of retrieve, and therefore is extremely successful in capturing the attention of finicky-feeding and warier species. Its plastic body construction offers lightweight durability. Like the Shad Rap RS, it has a loud, rhythmic rattle sound creating audible attraction. It also has been designed with a wider and livelier action and is available in eleven patterns (Silver Shad, Shad, Perch, Baby Bass, Silver Baby Bass, Blue Shad, Firetiger, Crawdad, Red Craw, Fire Craw, and Brown Craw) for visual attraction under all conditions.

"The Jointed Shad Rap can be fished in the same manner as the original Shad Rap," said Jim Morton of Rapala's Pro Staff. "Any extra weight should be placed well ahead of the lure. Pull this one out after a cold-front passes or when fishing shallow, extremely clear water."

Long Cast Minnow
Engineering creativity and fishing experience go hand-in-hand with the introduction of the Limited Edition Long Cast Minnow, the only long casting balsa lure ever made. A unique, proprietary and patent-pending weight transfer system is the secret that will allow anglers to hit fish "out of nowhere" with the Long Cast Minnow. Combined with Rapala's new Long Cast fishing line, an average angler can easily cast up to 100 feet with accuracy, so you don't have to "muscle" a lure to get the distance needed to reach the fish.

"The Long Cast Minnow really shortens the lake quite a bit, opening up new territory for anglers," said Fisher. "You can stop your boat well short of schooling fish, work the edges without scaring the fish, or work both sides of a point. Working the shallows will be easier, too. You can get pretty creative with this lure."

The Rapala weight transfer system is unique, proprietary and patent-pending. It's been designed to increase the casting distance while maintaining excellent swimming action. In the process of casting and retrieving, the internal weights shift and "lock" in the desired position of the lure to maintain proper balance and action. The locking system also makes it possible to jerk the lure on retrieve without causing the weight to shift or move to the back of the lure, which would destroy the lure's swimming action.

Due to the intensive handwork, craftsmanship and engineering, only 300,000 Long Cast Minnows will be available. Weighing 3/8 oz. and with a body length of four inches, the Long Cast Minnow comes in ten proven pattern choices (Silver, Shad, Perch, Blue, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Chub, Hot Chub, Redtail Chub, Gold Chub).

Skitter Walk
You're gonna need a bigger boat. The new saltwater Skitter Walk's perfect imitation of a swimming mullet or fleeing baitfish is particularly effective when Redfish, Snook, Tarpon or Tuna are aggressive or busting bait on the surface. Its Internal Threshold Transfer System is designed for ease in walking-the-dog, and large internal rattles create a rhythmic side-to-side motion and sound combination. A crunch-proof lure, the Skitter Walk is very durable, with long-lasting finishes that will catch fish for a long time - if you hold on tight.

"There's nothing more exciting than fishing topwater for saltwater gamefish," said Ron Kovach..... "The experience of seeing and feeling a surface strike is incredible. The Skitter Walk is designed for in-shore fishing, but not for the faint of heart."

This is not a trolling lure. Designed for long and accurate casts and to walk-the-dog with ease on the water, the Skitter Walk has a reflective, sonic-welded body. It comes in eight colors (Silver Mullet, Gold Mullet, Green Mullet, Blue Mullet, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Bone, and Redhead), weighs 5/8 oz. and is 4-3/8" in length.

Limited Edition Tail Dancer No. 5
Introduced last year, Rapala's Tail Dancer has already become one of the most sought-after lures in modern-day fishing history. And for good reason. Initially thought of as a walleye bait, the Tail Dancer has shown its mettle in bass, trout and salmon fisheries, and has produced fantastic fish-catching stories from all regions of the world.

Rapala designers spent years figuring out how to make this first "banana-style" Rapala balsa lure swim in its pronounced "wide-tail" style without sacrificing that classic Rapala action. Then they formulated a way to incorporate an internal rattle that doesn't impede, but improves the attraction.

New for 2002, Rapala introduces the Rapala Tail Dancer in a size No. 5 that offers all the pronounced swimming action of its big brothers (No. 7 and No. 9). The smaller size is perfect for slower action days. With all the attention to detail required to make each and every Tail Dancer, again this year, total production will be limited to only 300,000.

The No. 5 Tail Dancer is 2 inches long, 3/16 oz., and will come in 10 patterns (Shad, Perch, Silver, Blue, Hot Chub, Redtail Chub, Emerald Shiner, Rainbow Trout, Chub, and Gold Chub).

Blue Foil Shad Rap
After countless requests from panicked anglers around the world, the original Blue Foil Shad Rap finish is back. It's true. The Shad Rap also will be appearing in two other new colors - Silver Baby Bass and Bluegill. The Shallow Shad Rap also will feature these additional colors.

"This is a case of merely responding and listening to what anglers were recommending we should do," said Tom Mackin, vice president of marketing for Rapala. "We always knew the Blue Foil finish, a pattern that had its final production run in 1994 had a special place in the hearts of many. But over time we've learned how much many anglers want it back. The grassroots voice was amazing."

That's just the start of the widening range of color patterns for Rapala's lures. Also new for 2002, the Original Floating and CountDown are now available in Fathead Minnow and Silver Minnow patterns; the Jointed Minnow adds Silver Fluorescent Chartreuse and Brown Trout; and the Husky Jerk now comes in Silver Baby Bass, Holographic Shad, Holographic Emerald Shad, and Holographic Blue Shad.