Many Musky anglers are familiar with lures like Gooch’s
Tallywacker and the Poe’s Awaker. Both of these lures seek to
‘mach the slap’ using a metal prop in a
rotating sagging tail. The placement and shape of the tail prop may vary,
but the intended lure performance is the same.
Another configuration, most notably the Original Frenchy
Water Thumper, takes a little different approach. As you can see from the
Kaiser water thumper (pictured), this approach uses a solid shaft that
eliminates the sagging tail but maintains the same premise…’match
the slap’.
Another variation is the Water Walker (pictured). This
approach eliminates the separate spinning tail and incorporates the prop
into the body of the lure. The complete body rotates as the lure is
retrieved causing the prop to slap the water. The real difference here is
the use of a tail hook arrangement that allows for the addition of a dressed
bucktail as a trailer hook or a single hook equipped with a twister tail.
There is another approach to tail dragging, but first we
should discuss presentation. All of the lures discussed so far develop their
characteristic sound through the use of a moderate to fast retrieve.
The Original RyLure Tap Dancer, (pictured), develops its
performance characteristic using a slow to moderate retrieve. The first
striking difference between this lure and the others discussed is the tail
spinning configuration. Notice that the spinning tail is much smaller than
the other models and the prop is a bit larger. Notice also that the hook in
the center of the lure body has one of the trebles removed. The intended
performance during retrieve is to have the tail prop, as it rotates against
the water, also make a ticking sound as it encounters the modified lure body
hook. In this application, the ‘slap’ is secondary to the metal on metal
sound.
NOTE:
You will see ‘knock offs’ of this lure but
they do not have the attention to detail and consistent
performance of the Original Rylure. Fake RyLure versions tend to
roll as they are retrieved or ride too low in the water or do
not actually have the prop encounter the body treble.
Dragging your tail on the water can be a very productive
presentation. The tail slapping lure is typically used throughout the day,
from early morning to just before dark. The RyLure, because of its slower
retrieve, can also be effective as an evening lure.
Regardless which of these lures you use or when you decide
to use it, the tail slapping lure should be part of your daily plan of
attack.
Tight Lines
