Some fishing lures are "automatic'' — all you have to do is troll them behind a boat or retrieve them after casting and wait for a strike. Others baits take more finesse and skill to present properly. Generally, $4 to $7 will get you one of these lures. But how to fish them? Oftentimes you're on your own to figure it out. Best information shortcuts are online, where videos are widely available showing how baits should be cast and retrieved. Rapala in particular does a great job informing anglers how to present their baits. Check out in particular videos on how to fish Rapala X-Rap SubWalks and Skitter Pops. Work these baits properly, and you'll spend less time between strikes.

Dennis Anderson