Deep diving shad style crankbait options

[zeth]

Other than rapala shad raps which I already have and am not a huge fan of due to colors I don't like and lack of detail. I like Japanese style hardbaits. I only notice ima has a deep diving shad style bait. Well I guess there's duel as well but I think their colors are not the greatest either. Wish rapala would come out with a shad rap in all sizes in their shadow rap colors. Anyways wondering if people know of any others? I'm crazy picky about lures. 

[smalljaw67]

Probably not your style but the Bagley Balsa Shad is just sick when it comes to catching fish. The size 8 will hit just a bit over 15' on 10lb line, I use the 5 and 7 mostly and they have replaced my Rapala Shad Raps. The 5 is 3/8oz but just a hair longer than a size 5 shad rap so it can be used on casting gear, I liked that about it. The real kicker of it though is the ability to catch fish, I use it in water under 60 degrees for the most part, from 48 to 52 degrees my number one color is purple shad and for the rest of the water temps I like yellow perch and even the black and chartreuse has worked for me in dirty water. You  want a high detail Japanese style bait, these aren't those but I fish with a lot of different anglers and so far I haven't had anyone throw a shad crank that was even remotely close to the effectiveness as the Balsa Shad with the exception of the Shad Rap but with the Balsa Shad being easier to cast it just checks all the boxes.

[WRB]

Every crankbait lure mfr has deep diving Shad color, option are almost unlimited.

Tom

[buzzed bait]

you mean like a longer body profile than the typical type crank?  almost jerkbait type profile, but for deep divers?

if so, zenith tackle z75.  good luck finding many, but they can be found.  i just picked up 5 new in box not too long ago from the forums.

[zeth]

yes shad shape tight wobble but deeper diving.

5 minutes ago, buzzed bait said:

you mean like a longer body profile than the typical type crank?  almost jerkbait type profile, but for deep divers?

if so, zenith tackle z75.  good luck finding many, but they can be found.  i just picked up 5 new in box not too long ago from the forums.

zenith tackle website? google is failing me.

ebay has a couple used ones

[jr231]

Man I've caught a few hogs on rapala shad raps... They get the job done. Yellow perch, firetiger classic silver and gold are the only colors I really need. 

 

I recommend trying them out even though you don't think they are pretty. The shad rap in the deep runner , shallow runner, and original are staples in my box. The scatter shad is nice as well... The shad rap is the definition of value In my opinion and is a true multi species bait that fools adult bass. 

[zeth]

I have a few boxes of them.  I just think they're hideous and feel like switching it up to something else.

 

[buzzed bait]

17 minutes ago, zeth said:

yes shad shape tight wobble but deeper diving.

zenith tackle website? google is failing me.

ebay has a couple used ones

 

i don't think they have a site, not even sure if they're still operational.  i think the bay is where you'd probably find them these days.  that bait has an incredible deep tone that is a bit different than a lot of deep diving baits.  that plus the different profile sets them apart for me.

[Dorado]

How about Bomber's Fat Free Shads? TW has 29 various colors and they run great out of the box, especially for that price point. 

 

[Comfortably Numb]

LC Staycee is my choice but only goes about 8-10'.

River to Sea Fetch I think its called too.

Berkely Flicker Shad.

Live Target Shad.

 

How deep are you lookin to go?

[papajoe222]

If the only knock you have against the Rapalas is the lack of detail and colors, you can always look into having them custom painted. I just recently contacted a fellow about custom painting some Super Spook Jr's  Not overly expensive and if I supply the baits, it cuts the cost considerably. 

[jr231]

4 hours ago, zeth said:

I have a few boxes of them.  I just think they're hideous and feel like switching it up to something else.

 

 

Hideous ??! I don't think you can get a better crank for 7 bucks... You must not have had any luck on them... Which is weird cuz I never know what I'm going to catch with them .. could be pike walleye or bass. .. I've never heard them called hideous lol.. I've heard someone say "crapala"..

 

I like the bomber recommendation as well. . But I guess that's just my blue collar point of view. 

 

I have one shad rap so scarred up I won't even use it in fear I will lose it.. and IMO.. it's not exactly hideous lol .. 

 

Shoot me a pm. I'll take them off your hands. 

[Raul]

Who would have known ? I've caught thousands of fish, including my 6.6 Kg ( 14.52 lbs ), with them "hedious" and detail lacking ( like if that was important ) Rapala Shad Raps.

[Munkin]

LC Bevy shad are nice and can be found easily but they are discontinued.

 

Allen

[zeth]

well if I wanted other than what I asked for I certainly would have asked for that. Good job people. Thanks to those that provided a real answer. Pretty sure were getting into the territory of breaking forum rules here now. Anyways, yes, the shad rap is hideous. I'm not denying it's ability to catch fish considering that just about anything can catch a bass.  A plain hook, a shiny object, I've seen bass caught on adult toys.

 

[Comfortably Numb]

What length bait and depth you lookin for? I have never found a crank that goes anywhere near what they advertise. Unless maybe trolling 100 feet of 2# test.

 

I can add images to you old Rapalas like this if interested.

 

 

[Munkin]

Look into the Jackall RS series of baits if you are a JDM lure aficionado.

 

 

 

Allen