The Robert’s Ranger, or simply the "Ranger", is a very simplistic-looking yet unique topwater fishing lure that has been around for more than 40 years. It’s a unique looking, torpedo-shaped lure with simple color patterns.

 

The Ranger lure has two characteristics unique to its design. One feature is its “castabilty.” There is no other topwater lure that casts like it. Using an 11 foot spinning outfit with 15 pound mono or 50 pound braided line, one can throw a three ounce Ranger 120 yards. That’s 360 feet!!  More if you have the wind to your back. 

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The second feature is its movement in the water. Once the lure touches down, start cranking it in, keeping it up on the surface. The lure alternates randomly between gliding through the water and skipping about with no particular pattern and when you first use one you can’t believe that any fish would hit it. But they do!! In fact, they go crazy for it.

 

It is hands down the best surf/shore and inshore fishing lure I have ever seen for Roosterfish, Jacks & Trevallies (Amberjack, Yellowtail), Bluefish, Striped Bass, Sierra and other Mackerel species, Giant Needlefish, Barracuda and even some Snapper (Pargo/Cubera) and Groupers. I've personally hooked up (from the beach) Tarpon and Cobia and although I haven't been able to land one yet (spooled me), it's only a matter of time.

 

You can take them offshore as well. They will work in schools of Tuna.  Dorado (Mahi/Dolphinfish) go nuts for them, especially when cast or dropped back to a hooked up trailing fish or schooled up around the boat. I always keep a Ranger-rigged casting rod at the ready. You never know what you'll hook up when you come across "structure" such as banks, protruding rocks, islands, floating debris (logs, weed patches, trash lines) as well as current or temperature breaks in the water. I've even had Sailfish, Marlin and Sharks chase them, using the Ranger as a "teaser", without hooks, before dropping a live bait back to the excited fish. The same teaser technique can also be used by fly fishermen to entice fish up to their offerings.

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Rangers come in 4 sizes ... 1 3/4 oz, 2 1/4 oz, 3 oz and 4 oz and in assorted colors ... white, white/blue, white/green, white/red, white/silver, solid green, solid orange and chartreuse. 

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Many lure makers and tackle companies have tried to knock off the Ranger over the last few decades, some more blatantly than others, but none have ever been able to duplicate the action or castability of the original Robert's Ranger.  Make sure your tackle box has an assortment of these Jeff Klassen Signature Series lures.

 

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