Help Me Break Away From Rapalas

[zip pow]

Storm WiggleWarts, Strike King Series 4, 5, and 5x, and unfortunately for you nothing compares to Rapala DT6 and DT10s.

x2

[A-Jay]

I gave up on Rapala crankbaits - didn't want to but had to - they are just too fragile.

Normans, Spro and Strike King have replaced them .... but

There is a new kid on the block and the baits are proving to have quite a bit of potential.

The Crush 50X & the Crush 300DD made by 6th Sense Custom Lures are a very durable, great running and high quality crankbaits without the usual high price tag.

For the clear water angler, the very realistic finish on these lures is made to order.

Check them out, I think you'll be pleased.

A-Jay

http://www.6thsensel...e-products.html

[CPBassFishing]

I've had a DT6 for a few years now. Its holding up decently, but the finish sucks. Half the paint is scraped off for about 15 fish.

[ww2farmer]

Rapalas warranty is tough to beat though, they will send you a new one if you have a broken lure. As a matter of fact I recently sent them a firetiger rattletrap that I bought back in 1992 that the hook anchor had ripped out, and they sent me a brand new one no charge.

FWIW, I had just the opposite expierance. I had a brand new out of the box X-rap take on water and sink, no big deal, every company has baits that slip through the QC cracks. Contacted Rapala, and was handed a set of flaming hoops to jump through along with a tight rope to walk for a return. Forms to fill out, track down the original package, original reciept, etc...and if I did not have any of that......I was SOL. If I did have that, I could send it in, wait , in there words "6-8 weeks for an evaluation to determine if the product was abused". I got rid of anything Rapala after that. With SK or spro, mail them the defective baits, 2 weeks later you get replacments PLUS extras for your trouble.

[zip pow]

I've got several rapala cranks only had a few to break mainly because of beating them on bridges. I've got several DT 10 that have hauled in over a hundred bass in a day without failure you can't beat there action. During the summer there all I use . If you want some strike kings pm me i have very little use for some of my stock I'll send you a few to try for free.

[bknap]

cant go wrong with strike king, bomber, bandit, normann, even try some handmade balsa baits

[papajoe222]

One of the things you should ask yourself is what do you want that bait to do that the Rapala doesn't. You mentioned castability, and a Norman or FatFree Shad would fit that bill, but what about bouyancy? Fishing that weedy bottom would be more productive with a fast rising bait while with the rocky bottom you would likely be better off with something closer to a neutral bouyancy. If you burn your cranks along, maybe a tighter wiggle is in order.

My advice is to get one or two of the different brands/models and go do some experimenting. You just may end up finding a new favorite crank.

[Toeshots]

Tons of recommendations - thanks!

I am going to BPS next week with some gift cards, so I will be sure to make a list of some of these so I can check them out.

[Toeshots]

I've got several rapala cranks only had a few to break mainly because of beating them on bridges. I've got several DT 10 that have hauled in over a hundred bass in a day without failure you can't beat there action. During the summer there all I use . If you want some strike kings pm me i have very little use for some of my stock I'll send you a few to try for free.

Very cool of you, PM Sent!

[Toeshots]

One of the things you should ask yourself is what do you want that bait to do that the Rapala doesn't. You mentioned castability, and a Norman or FatFree Shad would fit that bill, but what about bouyancy? Fishing that weedy bottom would be more productive with a fast rising bait while with the rocky bottom you would likely be better off with something closer to a neutral bouyancy. If you burn your cranks along, maybe a tighter wiggle is in order.

My advice is to get one or two of the different brands/models and go do some experimenting. You just may end up finding a new favorite crank.

To be honest, I don't know exactly what I'm looking (besides castability) and that's the problem. I guess just some different shapes/sizes/actions/sounds, basically anything that contrasts the Shad Raps so I can have a more versatile crankbait lineup.