Rip Tide Caters to Tourning Pros with New Products

 

 

Question: What are two staples of the redfish diet no matter where the Redfish Tour visits?  Answer:  Crabs and Mullet.

 

The folks at Rip Tide lures have recognized this fact and have released some of the most exciting soft plastic replicas of these baits to date.

 

I was recently provided a couple of samples of the newest additions to their inshore saltwater line and was very impressed by their 4" crab and 4" mullet.  Compared to other manufacturers of soft plastics on the market, Rip Tide has done their homework when building the molds to make these lifelike artificial lures.

 

According to Mike Richards, marketing director for Rip Tide, the new crab bait was actually molded using a fresh crab from the Indian River in Florida.  Anyone familiar to redfishing knows that a crab is considered a delicacy to a hungry redfish who will rarely turn down the offering.  The Rip Tide Crab looks real – right down to the lines on the bottom of its carapace, and their colors are right on.  I test drove a 4 inch "softshell"  pattern in the St. John's river and was rewarded with a hook-up on the first red I sight cast to – a nice 7lb slot fish.  I rigged it with a 2/0 hook and weighted it down with a bb split shot so it would sink slowly.  Richards also recommends rigging with a 1/4 oz jig head if there is a strong current or deeper water.  The Rip Tide Crab is also offered in a 2" version.

 

The Rip Tide Mullet has been provided to anglers in several captain's bags on the Redfish Tour and is now offered in three sizes: a 3", 4", and 5".  The thing I like about these baits is the fact that they have realistic dorsal and anal fin replication in addition to scales on the body of the lure – setting them apart from other manufacturers.  The vibration of the tail is certainly an attractant and tempted a couple of keeper trout on my test run.

 

Other new offerings for 2002 are the LT Minnow jerk bait and the Saltwater Tube.  Check out their color pallet at www.riptidelures.com.

 

If you have any other questions about the performance of the Rip Tide product line, ask one of their 2002 teams on the Redfish Tour that include Larry Miniard and Keith Reagor, Shawn Foster and Jim Dalrymple, Howie Green and Ed Eble, Jim Romeka and Kenny Driggers, and Eric Taylor and Travis Tanner.