How durable are Rapala lures?

[TylerT123]

I don’t fish rocky areas or anything, I take care of what I have. Do Rapalas last a while? What’s the advantage to balsa? How do they hold up in moss?

[Stephen B]

Most Rapala lures are made relatively well. However, some of the specific models do tend to have more bill breakage problems than others. Overall, most are good lures at the price. However, I don't like the VMC hooks they use. Typically I put arftermarket hooks (Mustad, Owner, or Gamakatsu) on all of the Rapala baits I buy but not necessary to do so.

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

 

[soflabasser]

I got Rapalas that are over 20 years old, have caught lots of bass, and they still work well. They tend to last less for toothy fish like a barracuda but so do most lures.

[RichF]

The dt series baits are great but dont hold up to bottom grinding.  The bills wear out quick. Ive broken quite a few. 

[davecon]

Boy I wish they held up to Snook better !  Where I fish the bait fish match almost exactly in size and shape to a particular model/color Rapala. I have tried literally dozens of other lures but nothing comes anywhere near close to the success I have with this particular Rapala. I replace to hooks and split rings all the time but it doesn’t take long and the lure is just destroyed. Usually the metal hook stringer gets ripped thru the balsa. If not that the lip gets crushed or the line simply breaks on dock piling or mangroves. Gets kinda expensive with some days going thru as many as six lures. As far as bass are concerned, they hold up well. Some I’ve had and used for over twenty years.

[Gunangler.223]

I've retried two shad raps where the wood started to split on the bank treble after several fish. normally I bank fish so I usually loose them before that happens lol.  literally my favorite crankbait of all time though

[BobP]

Rapala balsa cranks are what built their reputation.  But like any balsa bait, you can’t abuse them if you want them to last.  Balsa is soft lightweight wood.  If you slap the bait on the water to clear weeds off your trebles, it applies enough force to the lip that the balsa will split and water will begin soaking into the wood or the lip will break off, taking the top of the head with it. Dead bait.  I have original Rapala minnow baits that I bought 50 years ago.  They still catch fish. If you demand a super tough bait, buy plastic. But tell balsa fans where you are fishing so we can fish behind you.