Conditions are never climate controlled when you’re out there after fish. Wind, spray, and the bobbing platform of a boat can all contribute to falling short when you try to make that long cast. It’s about covering water… but covering water with the wounded minnow performance of a Rapala… that’s what it’s all about.

Shallow flats can spread out for miles. And when you’re standing on shore, or up to your armpits wearing waders, casting distance is the difference between success and failure.

Say hello to your new long distance buddy – MaxRap™ 13.

Long and lean in all the right color schemes, measuring 5 1/4 inches long. First thing you’ll notice is the slightly arched back. You’ll see it’s all Rapala, with fine details like oversized holographic eyes and internal, laser-engraved scales to go with a baitfish-inspired paint job.

Its razor sharp, noncorrosive VMC Spark Point treble hooks are a thing of beauty, too. They stand up to saltwater and downright nasty predator fish.

Hold it in your hands and the heft is obvious, a full half-ounce of perfectly-balanced proportions. Put it on the end of your line and cast as hard as you can and the balance is so pure that it zings like a perfect spiral. No wobbling, no tangling of hooks. It holds its position in the air thanks to the internal MaxCast mechanism, precision placed tungsten balls that provide self-adjusting balance under changing conditions.

Start reeling and you’re reminded that there’s only one Rapala. Crank it steady, fast as you want, or twitch-and-pause and watch it reflect light like the real thing (if you can see that far). When a fish crushes it, you’ll know you have a new partner in crime.

Whatever you want to catch, in freshwater or saltwater, big, bad fish fall for the flash and foil of MaxRap™. Shallow water fish have nowhere to hide. They can’t get far enough away. Great Trolling Lure, Too…

Something this good cannot be typecast for casting alone. It’s an awesome trolling bait, too. Run it steady or pump the rod, but hang on at all times, because you’re gonna get bit. To cover the water column from just under the surface to inky depths, use whatever weighting system you like best. Try rubber-core sinkers, snap weights, leadcore, planing devices, or pull it behind a downrigger ball.

Strike King is giving sneak peaks of some of their 2010 new products on their website prior to July 2009’s ICAST in Orlando. Here’s one call the Rage Thumper Worm

The Rage Thumper worm is 10″ long and has an incredible action for a cut tail type worm. Designed to have increased “flickr” action as it falls to help entice the big fish to eat.  The unique Rage Tail Flange design is incorporated into the tail to give this monster of a worm it’s unique action. The Tail incorporates a score line that can be cut to turn the Thumper worm into a true cut tail worm.

Available in late summer, the Thumper worm will be offered in the following colors:

Plum

Watermelon Red Flake

Red Shad

Junebug

Green Pumpkin

Okeechobee Craw

Red Bug

Bama Bug

Blue Fleck

Just an update since the preview, the new LiveTarget Lures by Koppers is now available online and at local retail stores.