Rapala dt series

[Skspacemonkey]

i'm thinking of buying a couple of the dt's but I'm not to sure which sizes and colors to get? Any info would be very appreciated. Thanks!

[OkobojiEagle]

How deep do you want the bait to run on the retrieve?  They are labeled for the depth they will run DT4 runs 4' deep, DT6 runs 6' deep and so on.  Buy as many of the baits as you feel you need to cover the depths you want to fish.  Like wrenches you probably need a set to get the job done... and a couple of extra in the sizes you will most often be using.

 

oe

[papajoe222]

I'd start with basic colors. Depending on the type of forage available, a shad or minnow imitation and a craw color unless the main forage is blue herring, or perch, or something else that is more color specific.  In the DT series, the silver or grey shiner are a good place to start and the brown craw is a great color for dredging the bottom.

[fishindad]

Based on how you framed your question, I'll assume you're somewhat of a crankbait noob. What you should do is buy their DT4, DT6, and DT10 in one color. The color depends on what the water clarity is in the lake/river you typically fish. Don't take any other tackle other than these and crank at the appropriate depths and you'll get bit. Don't be afraid to throw them into sparse weeds and give em a hard rip to trigger strikes. Then invest in one or two other colors when you gain confidence.

 

Deep cranking (DT 14 and 16) is a whole 'nother beast that requires good electronics (and ability to read them) and a more specialized rod and reel, though I'm no expert.

[IndianaFinesse]

40 minutes ago, fishindad said:

 that requires good electronics (and ability to read them) 

Or, you can use a cheapo 80$ Walmart depth finder (piranha max, 3.25 inch screen) like I do.  Takes more time to identify and understand a spot, and you had better learn how to triangulate, but it can be done with good success.  Everything on the market today is a head and shoulders above what people were using to fish offshore 40-50 years ago.  

[JoePhish]

I second what fishindad said. 

I throw Helsinki Shad the most and Fire Tiger after that. 

[Spankey]

This has been a very productive lure for me over the last few years. Actually for longer than that. Been around awhile. I caught my PB with it and done one better on the same lure catching my current PB with it last fall. As someone mentioned have different depth versions in the same pattern. 

 

Colors....there is enough to find something you'll like for sure. I have a handful that do real well for me. But I found all mine to be productive. 

 

For or what it's worth the original bluegill not the live image bluegill is a great pattern. To be honest I feel all the live images I own are less productive. But to each his own.