Rapala DT series issues?

[Marc Tyler]

I am looking at getting some of these to cover the water column I fish in. I have heard the Bill's break or they split, but has anyone had these issues with the dt series baits as of late, or is this an old issue?

[islandbass]

If the lip broke or split, more often than not it’s user screw up. Rapalas are quality out the gate. DTs have excellent castibilty and can be thrown a country mile. 

[MN Fisher]

I haven't had any issues with my DT-4s or DT-6s and I bounce them off things and run them through weeds.

[Bluebasser86]

Every DT6 and DT4 I've owned the bill has pulled out of the bait. I swore off buying them due to that issue. Currently own 1 DT6 that I found in a tree. Mine were not due to user error or abuse, just poorly built baits. I hate to think of how mNy times I would be bumping them along through some rocks and all the sudden my line would go slack and my lipless bait would float up and I'd crank the bill in. Had a few pull apart while fighting fish too. They're great fish catchers, but too much of an issue for me to deal with. 

[smalljaw67]

I have DT-4s, 6s, 10s, and 14s not to mention the DT Flat 3s and 7s as well as the DT Fat 1 and Fat 3. I guess you can say I'm a fan of those baits and I actually had 1 bill pull out, it was a long time ago and it happened when I slapped the lure against the water to knock some weeds off the hook. I sent the bait it and they replaced it but the bill pulling out was my fault as I know slapping the lure against the water to get the grass off is wrong but I did it. Since that time I have not had any more issues but remember, the DT series is a balsa bait so hitting bridge pilings or docks can, and will cause some problems. That said, I've had 4 or 5 Lucky Craft Pointer 78s and 100s and 2 Megabass Vision 110s that ended up with broken bills from bumping rocks, and to be fair I know this can happen as those baits are normally fished during cold water period so I understand the bills can become brittle. I'd say that if you don't slap the lure against the water you'll be fine, I've been using the DT series since it came out and only had 1 bill come out and 1 bait has a small nick on the back as I made an errant cast and the bait bounced off of some rip rap. 

[Rpratt]

I actually had one crack at the bill this weekend. I am really hoping it is just a fluke because the DT-6 has been a great lure to use this summer for me.

[RichF]

I've been using DT series cranks for a long time.  The bills definitely wear out and break but they'll last a while if you're no bangin them off of stuff.  They work well, catch a lot of fish, and are still among the most affordable cranks you can buy so I keep using them.

[Spankey]

Big Rapy fan here. Been fishing the 4, 6, and 10's since they came out. Can't say I've ever had a factory defect or cheap bill issue. Have bills wear but that happens when you get them down deep into rocks.    

[OG Crankster]

Been throwing DT10s for a while and never had an issue.

[shootermcbob]

Throw a lot of DT4, DT6, and DT10's with no issues. I throw the DT6 the most as it fits my style and the places I fish the most. Never had a bill break or come out...knock on wood!

[Bruce424]

ive had them sink right out of the pack. no breaks though.

[flyfisher]

Never had any issues out of the norm.  I have had some break but it was to be expected as I was grinding them through rocks for a few days smallmouth fishing on a river.

[ww2farmer]

Broken record time.....the bills will break if your ruff on them. BUT, they catch fish. I swore off DT's for SK XD's....now I'm back on DT's , as well as Berkley and Lucky Craft stuff. 

[Shimano_1]

I've fished dt baits for years and years almost exclusively and have had zero issues with any of them ever. Maybe I've just been lucky but I will continue using them. Excellent bait and I've never tried any that match their fish catching ability 

[zell_pop1]

I had the bills break on a DT6 and a DT Thug. One broke catching a smallie and the other off a rock. They are delicate but do catch em. The Thug doesnt seem that popular but wow I have success with it .

 

[Spankey]

10 hours ago, zell_pop1 said:

I had the bills break on a DT6 and a DT Thug. One broke catching a smallie and the other off a rock. They are delicate but do catch em. The Thug doesnt seem that popular but wow I have success with it .

 

But do catch them. For sure on that. 

 

Balsa in general is not as forgiving as plastic. They will permanently nick. That heavy clear coat will crack. Majority of plastic CB’s lips is in the mold. Rapala and Bagley Balsas not really the case. I do agree that if you beat the tar out of them while casting at exposed shore line rocks they will break. 

 

I must say that the cast-ability of the DT’s is one of the best of all time if not the best. But my experience is only with 4,6 and 10 series. 

[king fisher]

DT 10 and 6 are by far my favorite crank baits.  I catch fish with them when all my other cranks strike out.  Don't know why, they just seem to have the right action for the bass in my area.  That said, I do have bills come out for no reason.  I never try to clear weeds by hitting them on the water, or other abuse.  More times than I care to count, I have made a cast only to retrieve a bill.  Never had the problem with any other Rapala balsa baits.  I have Fat Raps, Shad Raps and original minnow,  that are 20 years old and still work. I also have old Bagelys that have seen years of use with no problems. As I said before, DT 10 and 6 are my favorite crank baits, just wish they could make them more durable.

[Deleted account]

They are fish catchers for sure, but they are also quite fragile. 

[TnRiver46]

I’ve had two and broke them both but I will never forget the flurry of fish that iaconelli caught with a DT6 in the bassmaster classic this year