March Freshwater Lure of the Month: Rapala Husky Jerk

March Freshwater Lure of the Month

Rapala Husky Jerk 08 Silver

Lauri Rapala of Finland created the Original Minnow in 1936.  It’s the venerable inspiration behind this month’s selection.  Rapala, a fisherman by trade, invented the Original Minnow out of the necessity to increase his daily catch.  Hoping to double his effectiveness, the idea was to design a lure he could troll behind his rowboat while at the same time towing his nets below.  Always while fishing, Rapala closely studied the action of the actual baitfish that larger fish were feeding on.  He found that the baitfish attacked were those sick or dying, and they all had a fish-attracting wobble.  When off the water, Rapala designed his lure using tree bark and bits of foil that closely mimicked the enticing movement of the wounded baitfish he so often observed. Lauri’s lure caught fish.  Word spread locally and demand quickly grew for Rapala’s Original Minnow.  Worldwide demand would soon follow.

The wildly popular Husky Jerk enclosed is a direct descendant of Lauri Rapala’s classic Original Minnow.  The Husky Jerk boasts many of the same characteristics that made its predecessor a worldwide sensation (in fact, wild fans of the Husky Jerk actually brought it back from premature retirement just a few years ago). The two lures share Rapala’s trademark minnow shape and wounded-minnow wobble.  In addition, Rapala added a few new elements to the lure that are destined to make it, too, a classic.  The Husky Jerk’s most notable feature is the fact that it is delicately balanced to suspend in the water perfectly.  As a result, it can be retrieved at any speed and with any technique and still retain its enticing action. Rapala added a rattle chamber to mimic the sound of frenzied baitfish.  The weight of the Husky Jerk also makes this one of the best casting lures in its class.  Premium quality hooks and fittings are included to ensure a long and trouble-free life.  And, of course, the Husky Jerk is hand-tuned just like Lauri Rapala’s 1936 prototype. 

Technique:

The Husky Jerk was designed to dive deep, and has built-in suspending characteristic.  Use both to maximize your success.  The minnow will also produce spectacular strikes when cast out and left to rest on the surface quietly for several minutes.  Give the lure a twitch or two, letting it rest again for up to a minute.  The Husky Jerk can also be trolled, the method practiced by its inventor, with great success.