FIELD TESTED: The Rapala Sarda Hits Baja
What happened when we sent Rapala’s not-yet-released Sarda™ trolling lure to a crew of die-hard anglers in Baja, Mexico? Let’s just say... the fish didn’t stand a chance.
Before it hit store shelves, the Rapala Sarda went through a real-world trial by fire—or rather, by salt. We handed early samples to three seasoned anglers who live and breathe Baja’s offshore bite. Their mission: run it hard, fish it often, and give us honest feedback. The results? Immediate hookups. Solid durability. And one more deadly addition to the spread.
Here’s what they had to say.
Meet the Test Team
Felipe Valdez – A full-time guide and tournament angler at FelipeValdezSportfishing.com. Felipe is based in Baja Sur and covers waters from La Paz to Mag Bay, East Cape to Cabo. He and his family have deep roots in the Baja fishing scene, and he knows these waters like the back of his hand.
Matt Clifton – Matt left the Law profession to become a fly-fishing guide in New Mexico which then led to a fishing trip to Los Barriles with a group of guide friends where he fell in love with Baja’s world-class fishing. Matt is now owner of Scorpion Sportfishing, where he has spent the last 12 years putting clients on fish out of the East Cape area of Baja.
JD LeCompte – A bona fide fish-head. JD has chased fish all over the globe: Fiji, Panama, Mexico and Alaska. JD has been fishing in Baja for 25 years and these days splits his year between the U.S. and Baja’s East Cape.
First Impressions: What Did You Think When You Got the Sarda?
Valdez: “I immediately saw it as the missing piece in a good Wahoo and Tuna spread. Something strong enough to hold on to a big Tuna and take the hard hits from a Wahoo. A lure that was going to be all the way back in the spread, waiting for a monster.”
Clifton: “Right away, I could tell it was built tough. You need durability in Baja, and this thing looked ready. The shape and lip suggested it would get that tight wiggle fish love.”
LeCompte: “Wahoo season can’t come soon enough! I was pumped to get it in the water. Obvious fish-catcher.”
What Species Did You Immediately Think of?
LeCompte: “Wahoo, 100%. But I also knew Tuna, Dorado, and Marlin would hit it too.”
Valdez: “Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo!”
Clifton: “As soon as I saw it, I knew it was going to be a serious player for Wahoo and Tuna.”
How’d It Fish? What Did You Catch?
Clifton: “The Sarda put fish in the boat when other lures were getting ignored. We saw consistent success with Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo. Several colors worked, which is always a good sign.”
Valdez: “First fish on it? Yellowfin Tuna. Second? Wahoo!”
LeCompte: “The success was almost immediate for Wahoo and Yellowfin Tuna. I’m excited to have a full season to dial-in its applications.”
Let’s Talk Rigging—How Are You Running It?
Valdez: “Straightforward—65lb braid to a 4-foot, 100lb leader. Split ring at the end.”
Clifton: “For Tuna, we go 60–80lb fluoro and run it way back, especially when they get picky. For Wahoo, we take a gamble by tying directly to monofilament in the same lb test range. We forgo wire as we know that Wahoo can be picky. We also don’t use swivels as sometimes a Wahoo will key in on and hit the swivels which then cuts the line. We have yet to lose a Sarda (fingers crossed).”
What’s Got You Most Excited About the Sarda?
LeCompte: “The out-of-the-box rigging is excellent. It’s ready to fish right away. The action is killer, and it’s built to last. This, plus the X-Rap® Magnum® and X-Rap® Magnum® Stick, gives us a complete spread.”
Clifton: “It's tough, tracks well, and rounds out the Rapala offshore lineup perfectly. With the different actions and dive depths between the Sarda, X-Rap Magnum, and X-Rap Magnum Stick, we’re covering everything. Now we just need a Cow Tuna to pile on it!”
Valdez: “It fits seamlessly into my trolling setup—X-Rap Magnum Sticks on the outriggers, X-Rap Magnum 30s and 40s in the front on the short rods, and now the Sarda going way back. It’s the piece we were missing.”
Conclusion
Early reports are in, and the Rapala® Sarda looks like a winner. It’s already stacking up catches in the toughest testing grounds imaginable—offshore Baja, where every bite matters. Whether you’re targeting Tuna, Wahoo, or other pelagics, this lure is proving it deserves a permanent spot in the spread.
Stay tuned—this one’s going to make waves.
CLICK IMAGE BELOW: felipevaldezsportfishing.com
CLICK IMAGE BELOW: scorpionsportfishing.com
