im done

[skunked_again]

with Rapala DT crank baits. even though i have the best luck with them im tired of the bill breaking off them. theres too much to choose from to continue to spend $7 and up a piece for something thats going to break due to normal use.

bring on strike king!!!!!

[.dsaavedra.]

these words....they are....blasphemous!

which specific models are you having issues with?

i have NEVER had a DT bill break off...

are you smacking the lure on the water to get weeds off? i've heard of the bills breaking off due to people doing this.

[skunked_again]

i do not smack them on the water getting grass of them. i do however bounce them off logs and rocks as much as i can.

[skunked_again]

after googling the topic i might not be alone. great cranks, just not tough enough.

[Gatorbassman]

Yep, they have been known to break during normal use. But they catch fish.  

[BassinWill301]

I have only seen a DT bill break once, and that was from my brother smacking on the water hard.

[cart7t]

The problem extends beyond just the DT's.  I can't tell you how many Glass shadraps I've had the bill break on.  

I've still got a few of them but have since switched to a Cabela's glass shad knockoff that looks and works very similar to the rapala bait.

You're right though,  they need to get this bill breaking problem fixed.  For the kind of money those Rapala's are going for it's ridiculous for a bill to break off for seemingly no reason.

[.dsaavedra.]

maybe i havent had this problem because i mainly fish with the DT03, which has a very stout bill. the deepest one i have ever used was a DT10, but i mainly use the DT03, and DT06. neither of these have very large bills, and that may be why i havent had one break.

[Big Tom]

I think the thin bills are what makes the DT series so great.  The thin bill allows them to get down to their maximum depth very fast and stay there pretty much until they are right under the boat.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I'm with dsaavedra, I've never had a bill break on any of my DT04 or DT06.

Falcon

[Munkin]

How exactly are they breaking? Are the bills coming out of the bait, breaking at the nose, part of the balsa bait pulling off with the bill, etc..?

Allen

[J Francho]

I break as many as I lose.  DT10 are the main offender of breaking at bill, but the shallower models seem fine.  I learned as a kid not to smack the weeds off, after getting chewed out by my dad.  My greatest fear is having one break with a fish on.  Hasn't happened, yet.

[skunked_again]

How exactly are they breaking? Are the bills coming out of the bait, breaking at the nose, part of the balsa bait pulling off with the bill, etc..?

Allen

crappy scan but this is what im getting.

[Infidel.]

I use the 16 a lot and have never had one break while cranking it into rocks and wood.  Casting into the rocks is another story.  

[riverfisher]

I have the same problem with the Rapala Jointed shadraps JSR-5 and JSR-7's. But even though they do break at the bill I think they are worth every penny. A while back I contacted Rapala about that and they said to send them in and they would replace them. As soon as I have some time I will be sending them a box full and hopefully I wont have to buy as many next year.

[smallfry]

I broke 3 bills in the last week.  Colder weather probably doesn't help.

I was starting to like th DT10, but probably done with it now.

[fishizzle]

I have never had one break.

[SPAZ]

I had my first one break on me for the first time 2 weeks ago. Does Rapala replace these broken lips?

[SPAZ]

I'm with dsaavedra, I've never had a bill break on any of my DT04 or DT06.

Falcon

Mine was a DT6 that broke. Believe me it can happen.  I was actually surprised it did because overall I've been lukcy with them.

[skunked_again]

i sent a email to Rapala about the issue and got this back:

Thank you for your email and letting us know about your experiences with our lures.

Rapala can make an indestructible lure that will never break but it will not have the action and unique construction that provides such great productivity.  As you know, many factors cause lures to become damaged.  Rocks, Weeds, certain Fishing Techniques, miss use, Line strength, drag, and bottom structures are some factors that cause lures to weaken or become damaged.  Time and time again, when we test and study lures that have broken, the results show that some hindering factor had caused the lure to weaken.  If you think your lure was defective and not damaged by other means as listed above, then here are some options for you to pick from:

1.  Take the lure back to the store where you purchased it for refund or replacement.

2.  Send the lure to us for replacement.

It is our policy that we need the defective lure or what is left of it returned to us before we can replace it.  You would then send it to:

Rapala

Attn:  Service

935 Aldrin Drive

Eagan, MN  55121

Please include with the defective lure(or remains of the lure) a brief note explaining what the problem is with it and/or how it happened.  Make sure we know which lure it is, the size the lure is and the color that we are replacing.  Also on the letter print your name, phone number and return address (not a PO box please) printed out clearly to make sure we get the new lure returned to you.  Please allow 4-6 weeks for the delivery of the new lure.

* If you want to make sure that your returned item has been received by us, we recommend sending it via UPS so that you have a tracking number to check on.  Due to the volume of packages delivered to our warehouse, we are just unable to tell you if and when it is received or send you any status reports.  If you don't receive your replacement after the 6 weeks allowed delivery time, then by all means, call us and check on it.  Keep all your information until your replacement has been received.

Thank you for your comments and use of our products.  We appreciate every consumer that we have and apologize for the inconvenience.  

Take care and Happy Fishing!

Your friends at Rapala

a lot more than i thought id get.

[.dsaavedra.]

well its good to know they stand behind their lures

[J Francho]

If they bust on the 1st few casts, then I go back to the store for a replacement.  If I fish them a few times, catch fish on them, or they sit in the tackle bag for week or so, then I take the hit.  It really isn't that much an issue, and they are somewhat expensive, but not so much that it keeps me from throwing them into truly awful places.  By doing so, I catch enough to make it worth it.

Rapala must good about accepting returns, if they weren't the retailers wouldn't be so free and easy about defective returns.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

maybe i havent had this problem because i mainly fish with the DT03, which has a very stout bill. the deepest one i have ever used was a DT10, but i mainly use the DT03, and DT06. neither of these have very large bills, and that may be why i havent had one break.

You aren't beating it up enough, you want to bounce that off every rock and log in the place.  Being the 03 and 06, I'm assuming you might not be getting to the bottom?

[avid]

I have not had this problem with dt's but I have it happen with bagleys.

I still buy them because they catch fish.

[Joel W]

I've broken my fair share of DT-10 & 16 bills while working them along the bottom. They get pretty nicked up after a few outings, but that's about the only way I fish them. Same for the shallower running DT crankbaits. I prefer lipless cranks for ripping them over and out of weeds in the fall.

I just wouldn't even bother sending any lures back to Rapala for replacement after beating them up the way I do.  Besides, I've lost way more lures being broken off by big Bass then I've ever had with broken bills.