shadow rap and shadow rap shads suck

[dsqui]

am i the only one having bad experiences with these things.  they keep breaking/cracking right where the second color is on them all the way to the bill.

[Bluebasser86]

I haven't had one break, but I've also only caught a grand total of 2 bass on them in all the time I've fished them. I just can't seem to get a fish to eat one. Both days I caught a fish on the bait, I had really good bites on other jerkbaits, but not on the Shadow rap or Shadow Rap Shads. 

[smalljaw67]

I haven't had any break and the shadow rap has been one of my better producing jerkbaits. As for the shad, I haven't had much chance to use them other than a few casts to see how they run, but the regular shadow rap has produced every time I've used it.

[Scott F]

I've seen videos online where a guy takes one out of the box and squeezes it with his fingers and cracks it. I have been using mine in open water where they haven't been bouncing off of rocks and haven't broken one yet. They've been catching fish as well.

[OkobojiEagle]

They're a little large for my taste, I'd prefer them in a 9 size.

 

oe

[flyfisher]

I have used them heavily, caught a bunch of fish and haven't had one crack.  

I have also seen that video of the dude trying to break the bait.  I's a joke to me but there is another thread on here about that...

I would contact rapala and let them know and i would bet you get them replaced.

[lakeannaangler]

I love both the shadow rap and shadow rap shad, I've caught lots of fish on mine. I have only had one or two Rapala baits break and they were my fault

[jonnyblazex]

  I've had pretty good luck on them in the fall when the water temp drops (the only time I throw them so far).  I recall one morning where I couldn't get bit on anything else I was using, then put on a shadow rap and caught lots of nice walleyes, smallies, and some largemouth as well, water temp was around 50 degrees. 

  I lost a lot of fish, on my old setup, because I was using too heavy power and too stiff a rod.  I was using a 7'MH fast rod, and since switched to a 6'8 M fast.  The rod is much softer than the MH I was using, loads up a lot easier,  and keeps the hooks in the fish much better when they make a run or get hooked by slapping the bait.  It is my dedicated jerkbait setup. 

  I haven't had a shadow rap break yet, but I wouldn't recommend slapping them on the water to clear weeds, or casting them into a dock, as these will damage them.  I think the video of the guy squeezing them is kinda silly.  It is an unnatural thing that would not normally happen when out on the water.  Yes they are made out of pretty thin plastic, that gives them the best action.

[dsqui]

ya im not one to smack them on the water either guess i just got a bunch of bad ones.  now i did manage to catch quite a few fish on them but man not enough to break them.  im using a farely soft rod myself its the dobyns fury 705 cb which is a 7ft mh moderate action rod.  i dunno like i said they just kept breaking so finally i just bought something else it gets pretty expensive driving back to the bait store 2-3 times a week even if they are replacing them for me

[An Outdoor Guy]

tI have 4 shadow raps 3 regular and one deep diving. I have only used them a handful of times but no cracks on mine. they are a little big for my liking as well. I see them as the jigs of the jerk bait world. they don't catch a million fish but the ones they do catch are really freaking big. that being said I like the HJ8 size. they are just perfect for me because I like to catch a lot of fish no matter what the size is. just remember to use 12# fluoro with the shadow raps because anything else makes them run about a foot under the surface lmao

[Tracker22]

Rapala obviously has a problem. I own six of them and have yet to have one crack. But, knowing that the problem exists, I think a company with a history like Rapala will address the issue. In the mean time, the guys with the defective ones are screwed.

[UPSmallie]

Have had pike and smallmouth crush my one and only shadow rap and really the only damage so far is scratch marks from teeth on the lure.  Not my go-to lure by any means, but it produces from time to time.

[WIGuide]

I've got about half a box full now of a mix of shadow rap and shadow rap deep's. I haven't had any of them crack or break and I've caught a bunch of fish on them. If you're having problems with them give Rapala a call and see what they say. They might replace them for you. 

Also, I don't throw jerkbaits very much in the summer unless it's a smallie dominant lake, otherwise it's spring and fall/winter for me. They've caught me and my dad a lot of fish, and a lot of quality fish as well. Just a sample of what they can do...

 

[blckshirt98]

I assumed the thin walls on the Shadow Raps were so they have the buoyancy to float upwards as advertised.

[r3825]

I've had nothing but success with both everytime I've used them,  they've become one of my favorite lures

[Raul]

On 13 de agosto de 2016 at 4:51 PM, Tracker22 said:

Rapala obviously has a problem. I own six of them and have yet to have one crack. But, knowing that the problem exists, I think a company with a history like Rapala will address the issue. In the mean time, the guys with the defective ones are screwed.

You lucky dawg, got all the good ones, OP got all the bad ones.

[flyfisher]

5 hours ago, blckshirt98 said:

I assumed the thin walls on the Shadow Raps were so they have the buoyancy to float upwards as advertised.

Only the Shadow Rap shads are designed to be slow risers, the standard shadow rap are slow sinkers.

[rippin-lips]

I have about 12 of the shadow rap 11 and I cracked one so far. I'll take the blame as I was casting it into shallow water with a rocky bottom. They do work though. 

[Ratherbfishing]

Nope, no problems with mine.  And they have become one of my very favorite springtime baits.

[jr231]

Unofrtuante to hear about someone having problems with rapala. I swear it's my favorite brand. Just too fun to fish ! And can catch all species on a rapala ! I've had success with the shadow rap, but don't own many due to the fact I'm in love with some of their other models. Like the original, countdown , jointed , fat rap, dt and husky jerk. If I showed you my collection you'd know I have a problem. But they helped me get into artificial when I was really young ! And have embraced them ever since. 

[gim]

I bought 3 in various sizes and colors early this spring when they were on sale and the latest craze.  I've used them fairly regularly and I have not caught A SINGLE fish on them yet.  Not even a slimy old pike that generally bites anything that moves.  One of the biggest disappointments in lures I've had in a while

[Ratherbfishing]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I bought 3 in various sizes and colors early this spring when they were on sale and the latest craze.  I've used them fairly regularly and I have not caught A SINGLE fish on them yet.  Not even a slimy old pike that generally bites anything that moves.  One of the biggest disappointments in lures I've had in a while

Don't give up on them yet!  I can't believe that a bait I've had such tremendous luck with can do so poorly for someone else.  How and where are you fishing them?  

[flyfisher]

15 minutes ago, Ratherbfishing said:

Don't give up on them yet!  I can't believe that a bait I've had such tremendous luck with can do so poorly for someone else.  How and where are you fishing them?  

it's not always the bait....there is a reason why it is hard to be a good fisherman, the bait is only one part of a very large equation.

[gim]

I've used them as a steady crank bait on occasion but mostly as a jerk bait.  I've caught smallmouth on tubes, wacky rigs, DT crank baits all in the same day but they wouldn't take any of the shadow raps.  I have tried using them along the outside weed line for largemouth several times and they won't even produce a strike from a pike.  I bust out a spinner bait or other crank bait and BAM the bass are there, plus the pike are all over it.  But they just won't attack the shadow raps.  Not sure what the deal is

[r3825]

I'm really surprised at all the bad reviews on this,  it's been my go to lately and I actually got my first double on it and I've been fishing for over 30 years.  I fish it as a jerk bait pretty aggressively,  3 hard jerks and a short pause and bam.  I've had several 3lb bass as well as crappie and bluegill attack them.  Great bait in my opinion.