Rapala Floating Minnow Review

There aren’t many ultralight fishing  lures like the Rapala Original Floating Minnow.

As a multi species lure, it dominates. On small ponds, slews, and creeks, the F05 – F07 are the top performing, ultralight fishing lures. For this reason, the floating minnow is always in my tackle box for small water tactics.

Whether casting upriver or twitching past grass -lines, it gets slammed, a lot! As always, Rapala maintains a robust range of sizes with unrivaled action. Additionally, they offer a huge range of sizes perfect for targeting any species. It can get mind-boggling, but let me break it down for you…..

Rapala Floating Minnow Sizes

The sizes are F03, F05, F07, F09, F11, F13, and F18.

Each lure increases in size from the F18 which has a body length of 7″ and a diving depth of 6’11.” For a full size chart, you can check out Rapala’s website. 

I fish smaller floating minnows during the summer as they get bit a lot. Also, having that size range gives me options to play with.

But, My obsession with this lure is due to its ability to attract multiple species.

For example, the F03 in solid silver/grey and rainbow trout pattern produces bites from bass, trout, crappie, and bluegill, so I recommend using it when fishing with kids. You may not get the biggest fish on the lake, but you’ll get a lot of bites.

Trout

As a primary search bait, I like fishing it in streams and rivers during warmer months. I’ll throw the F05, F07, and F09 in brown trout and rainbow colors upstream, retrieve them downstream, and give it a few twitches, letting the current do the rest. The F03 in standard grey ( pictured below)  is perfect for clear water scenarios and works well as a trolling.

For larger, more aggressive brown trout or trophy rainbows, I’ll size up to the F09- 11 and let it rip around brush piles and drop-offs.

Bass

Sadly, the original minnow has been overshadowed in the world of bass fishing. But, like any jerk bait, you can twitch and pause, allowing the minnow to rise slowly, then continue your cadence, imitating a wounded minnow.

For colors, I like to use anything light that imitates shad like the color “vampire” or gray and silver.

Rapala Floating Minnow: Features

One feature I’m always impressed by is the minnow’s ability to twitch, pause, and rise. For me, this is perfect when casting around grass and wood. I use a smaller size like the F05 for its shallow diving depth and twitch above structure in the early morning and evening.

I’ll use it as an ultralight lure in open water or slowly retrieve it near dock pilings, trestles, and boat docks. But on a standard trout rod with a light line, you’ll risk breaking off when fishing near wood, metal chains, and other boat dock materials. So, many anglers will size up to a larger diameter braid as their main line with a fluorocarbon leader.

Final Thoughts

All in all, this legendary lure is a go-to for newbies and seasoned anglers alike. It pulls bites in fresh and saltwater and attracts fish across a wide spectrum.

We tend to forget about these classics in the storm of sharp, new-aged tackle, but I still have an entire box of em’ for mountain trout fishing and highland reservoir bass fishing.

Another honorable mention is the Rapala double-jointed minnow, which is perfect for trolling, and provides a real-life-like action. Check them out – they’ll slay this summer!