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It's
What's on the Inside That Counts: The BX Swimmer From Rapala
| Date: |
4/28/14 |
| Tackle type: |
Lure |
| Manufacturer: |
Rapala |
| Reviewer: |
Wolbugger |
Total Score: 7.25 -
GOOD
Introduction:
With all of the
plastic baits available these days, balsa wood still remains a favorite for many
anglers. This classic material offers a unique action that just can't quite be
replicated with plastic. No stranger to the lure game, Rapala has easily become
one of the most recognizable names in the fishing industry. Realizing the
supreme fish catching qualities of balsa, they offer several products within
their lineup constructed out of this special wood. While at first glance the BX
Swimmer appears to be an ordinary plastic bait, it's actually far from it. It's
time to dig deeper and see how this bait differs from the competition!
|
Rapala
BX
Swimmer
Specifications |
|
Type |
Jointed
Swimming
Minnow |
|
Weight |
3/4 ounce |
|
Depth |
Slow Sinking |
|
Size |
4 3/4 inches |
|
Hooks |
#3 VMC Black
Nickel
Trebles |
|
Colors/Patterns |
10 |
|
MSRP |
$11.59 |
The BX Swimmer arrives in the standard Rapala packaging.
Impressions:
The
BX Swimmer comes nicely appointed and is water-ready right out of the package.
As part of the “Balsa Xtreme” series of baits, it features a core made of balsa
that is covered in a copolymer shell. In fact, in good lighting the balsa wood
internals are easily seen through the shells of our test baits. This usage of
balsa gives the baits different characteristics than if they were constructed
out of solid plastic, and the shells offer some additional protection. Also,
Rapala is able to achieve more realistic finishes compared to other baits with
100-percent balsa bodies.
Talk about a beautiful finish!
The finish on
these baits is very good, with vibrant, accurate coloration. Large eyes
compliment the molded 3-D head, gills, and scales, while the internal “X-Foil”
creates some additional flash. Under the surface of the water, everything comes
together quite well to realistically imitate a bait fish.
The small lip allows the bait to reach a diving depth of about six feet.
Features-wise,
there is a small diving lip at the head of the bait that helps bring it down to
a maximum rated depth of approximately six feet if cranked immediately upon
splashdown. All three split rings are on the beefy side to withstand abuse, and
the dual #3 VMC treble hooks are of an acceptable size, strength, and sharpness.
Here, the balsa wood is easily seen through the shell.
Casting:
At
three-quarters of an ounce, the BX Swimmer is easy to throw. What's nice about
the bait is that a specialty rod is not needed to cast and fish it properly.
Some people may view the BX Swimmer as a small swimbait, but whatever your take
is on it, a swimbait rod is definitely not necessary. Just about any bass rod
with the proper ratings works quite well, especially a longer one with some
“give” in the upper portion. Having some flex in the tip section not only allows
the rod to load a bit better for longer casts, but also helps prevent the dual
trebles from ripping out during an intense fight.
A clear, lightly fished pond is the perfect place to toss a BX Swimmer!
Retrieve:
Unlike some large plugs, the BX Swimmer actually sinks slowly. Something really
cool about the bait is that it will sit on the bottom at a slight nose-down
angle. During my tests both baits I tried would come to rest in this fashion
every single time.
The length and profile of the bait appeals to more than just big fish.
Next Section: Fish at multiple speeds |
