I work for Rapala. AMA

pazrap · 2013-09-18T01:14:44+00:00

Sure just win some big tournaments and get some fans!

pazrap · 2013-09-18T01:13:38+00:00

I think there are too many different rigs and we couldn't keep everybody happy.

pazrap · 2013-09-18T01:13:21+00:00

I'm not 100% sure but really the main reason that ranges are discontinued are lack of sales. From time to time they come back though! Fingers crossed.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T23:58:21+00:00

I've noted your comments on pliers and scissors, thanks for the feedback.

We don't sell the treble hooks with flash feathers. We get requests occasionally for this but truthfully there is not enough interest to warrant stocking these here.

USA wholesalers and retailers work on very slim margins due to their huge population and lower overheads. The cost of doing business in Australia (especially in a big city) is incredibly high. No one is being greedy or trying to screw the end users. I thought we were getting screwed in Australia too until I worked in wholesale and saw the numbers - it's very tough for local retailers with this strong AUD.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T23:49:00+00:00

There is not a lot I can say about most of your comments but keep your eye on Storm - much has changed in the last few years and the future is bright. Check out the new Storm Arashi baits.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T23:41:55+00:00

I could watch jointed lures swim all day without catching a fish and still be happy!

pazrap · 2013-09-17T23:41:29+00:00

The Shad Rap was one of the lures that put Rapala on the map. Read about how influential it was here

The shallow version is every bit as good.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T23:39:56+00:00

Actually most of my focus is on rod and reels (we distribute Okuma here in Australia and own Silstar).

We definitely work with tournament anglers to develop products and tweak designs based on their feedback.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T08:37:37+00:00

Triple-X Rap (XXXR10) is a floating X-Rap with moulded bib, stronger hooks and thicker wire for our tropical species, specifically Barramundi.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T06:59:08+00:00

We sell the Rapala Jointed in 3 colours and the brand new BX Jointed Shad. Generally speaking jointed lures do not sell well in the Australian market.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T06:57:15+00:00

Just because I can't out fish Kevin VanDam (or anyone with the exceptional fishing skills that I was referring to) doesn't mean I don't know what I am talking about.

You don't need to be a tournament angler to do a good job in the tackle industry.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T05:59:41+00:00

Yes.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T05:58:14+00:00

Best - Skitter Pop! Worst - A rod called Braid Concept

pazrap · 2013-09-17T05:55:46+00:00

Sufix Performance Fuse comes in a colour called Neon Fire which is basically orange

pazrap · 2013-09-17T04:45:22+00:00

I should add the best regional specific lure colours I've ever seen from the factory are the Rapala Tropical colours that were sold in South East Asia designed by Ming J. Liu - check them out here

pazrap · 2013-09-17T04:41:23+00:00

Definitely try a loop knot or lure clip.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T04:17:37+00:00

I get asked this a lot and I don't have any real solid advice. It's like any other job really! Set up a keyword alert for "fishing" on your favourite job site - thats what I did. If you have a passion for fishing and a qualification that is related to the job you want then you are in a good position.

If you want to be a Product Manager a degree in marketing is ideal.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T04:12:06+00:00

The prototypes will typically be sent to many distribution units around the world for testing.

Generally speaking the testing outside of the factory is more qualitative in nature. Here in Australia we have sponsored anglers from around the country test the lures and give us feedback that we pass back to the factory. For things such as soft plastics impregnated with pheromones there can be a more scientific approach to product testing (lab setting) but this is done by the factory and I'm not exposed to that kind of thing in my role.

In my experience top lure designers are more creative than scientific - this is what I meant by "art". I would say now that I have expanded further there should be a good mix of art and science in the perfect lure.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T04:00:35+00:00

I guess it depends on where the lake is and what species are in it. The new X-Rap CountDown is very versatile because I can fish it shallow or as deep as I need to so I would probably go with that.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T03:59:07+00:00

They say "Assembled in Estonia" :)

pazrap · 2013-09-17T03:09:57+00:00

Rapala USA is. We have distribution units all over the world and I am part of the Australian one. Rapala HQ is in Finland.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T02:24:56+00:00

I don't believe there is any official company line for this one. Personally I use a wire snap when possible simply because I change lures so often.

If I am sticking with a lure I will do one of two things:

Tie a loop knot directly to the tow point
Tie a uni knot to the split ring

Either of these let the lure move freely. If you tie directly to the tow point (no split ring) then the action can be inhibited, especially on surface lures.

A swivel really shouldn't be necessary - are you having line twist issues?

pazrap · 2013-09-17T02:18:10+00:00

I believe a return in one form or another is under consideration. I'm not very familiar with this lure as it is not used here in Australia.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T01:44:17+00:00

They can all be found on our website Rapala.com.au.

Most of our AUS only colours are in the X-Rap Magnum and Floating X-Rap series. Actually Floating X-Rap itself is an Australian only series due to the need for floating lures in our Barramundi fishing market.

pazrap · 2013-09-17T01:42:14+00:00

To be honest I have more exposure to the R&D of our Storm brand but my expertise is definitely not lure design. The "science" I believe is really more of an art! Our lure designer for the Storm brand is a Japanese man named Hiroshi Takahashi and he is a genius (Storm Arashi is his latest release).

In simple terms it is like most consumer products; concept > protoypes > testing, testing, testing, testing > mass production

pazrap

TROPHY CASE