Rapala DT 20

[MakhuluBass]

I just want to find out if anyone has used the DT 20 yet?  I have picked up a couple that have just arrived at our local tackle store and can't wait to throw them this week end.  

[djmax22]

Nope. Hopefully the bills don't break off like the DT16 I own. Let us know.

[BARON49_Northern NY]

Yes let us know how they hold up.  I declined buying some for the same reason.  Sticking with my good old DD22's for now.

[5bass]

Rapala fixed the 'problem lips' on the DT's a few years ago. I use the DT's a lot, (all of 'em) and I'm hard on crankbaits. I havent broken a DT in at least 2 years.

I'm addicted to DD22's also and have been for a long, long time but you cant get 20' out of 'em. I'll be glad to finally have a few DT20's in hand.

[burleytog]

I would be leery of buying them right now.  Rapala had problems getting a consistant 20' out of the baits.  

I'm expecting a shipment around late March/early April.

[djmax22]

Rapala fixed the 'problem lips' on the DT's a few years ago. I use the DT's a lot, (all of 'em) and I'm hard on crankbaits. I havent broken a DT in at least 2 years.

I'm addicted to DD22's also and have been for a long, long time but you cant get 20' out of 'em. I'll be glad to finally have a few DT20's in hand.

I broke 3 new ones this past year

[CWB]

I'd love to try one now but it would break for sure- it would be landing on solid ice!

Cabin fever does strange things to you.

[tyrius.]

Rapala fixed the 'problem lips' on the DT's a few years ago. I use the DT's a lot, (all of 'em) and I'm hard on crankbaits. I havent broken a DT in at least 2 years.

I'm addicted to DD22's also and have been for a long, long time but you cant get 20' out of 'em. I'll be glad to finally have a few DT20's in hand.

I broke 3 new ones this past year

Someone I fish with broke one too.  

Too bad it was because he was too lazy to pull the weeds off of it and was just slapping it on the water.  I told him that he'd break it and he didn't believe me.  He does now.

How are your's breaking?

[djmax22]

breaking on rock

[BassinBoy]

Nope. Hopefully the bills don't break off like the DT16 I own. Let us know.

No breaks for me yet  

[5bass]

breaking on rock

So when you say breaking on rock, are you talking about casting it up on some rocks on the bank or cranking it into rocks?

[BassBandit35]

Rapala fixed the 'problem lips' on the DT's a few years ago.

Not that I doubt you. There are 2 review posted at BPS from last month alone stating that the bill does break off easily. So I don't know.

[djmax22]

Cranking into rock. I broke 3 all together one was my fault hitting a dock. The other two cranking into chunk rock.

[senko_77]

Rapala fixed the 'problem lips' on the DT's a few years ago.

Not that I doubt you. There are 2 review posted at BPS from last month alone stating that the bill does break off easily. So I don't know.

This could be people getting older baits.  I have no doubt that a company like Rapala would fix the problem in a hurry.  It's just like the bad batches of Berkley Vanish.  The new spools are great, but the older ones are terrible.  Every once in awhile you come across one of the older spools that just never sold.

[Tin]

Rapala fixed the 'problem lips' on the DT's a few years ago.

Not that I doubt you. There are 2 review posted at BPS from last month alone stating that the bill does break off easily. So I don't know.

Don't trust BPS reviews...lol

When I have had a bad day and need to laugh some always get to me.

[BassBandit35]

This could be people getting older baits. Every once in awhile you come across one of the older spools that just never sold.

True. Didn't cross my mind. They could have bought from their local tackle that sat on the shelf for a long while instead of buying newer ones from BPS.

[Simp]

Rapala fixed the 'problem lips' on the DT's a few years ago.

Not that I doubt you. There are 2 review posted at BPS from last month alone stating that the bill does break off easily. So I don't know.

Don't trust BPS reviews...lol

When I have had a bad day and need to laugh some always get to me.

Ya some are bad and some are good. Bad ones are ones that usually start out with "I took this new reel out the other day before a storm hit. The first cast with my spinnerbait into the wind and it backlashed. I expect more out of a $X new reel!" ;D

[Btech]

Do they reach 20 ft though I tryed one but it didnt seem to dive that deep so it put it in my box and it has sat there for weeks now.

[BassBandit35]

Do they reach 20 ft though I tryed one but it didnt seem to dive that deep

They should be. Unless you used a smaller diameter line like 10 lb test. Most of the DT model are accurate depth unlike Norman's DD22 dives 15-18 feet.

[Stringjam]

I'm anxious to try one.    

I've gotten my DT-16's to 18 feet.....16' is a breeze - - it shouldn't be that hard for them to squeeze a few more feet out of that design.      

[skunked_again]

breaking on rock

So when you say breaking on rock, are you talking about casting it up on some rocks on the bank or cranking it into rocks?

i emailed rapala not long ago about busting the lips off their cranks 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.

ive quit buying Rapala baits all together.

[Micro]

ive quit buying Rapala baits all together.

That's one good thing about Normans and Bombers.  You can run over them with an armored personnel carrier and they don't break.  

BTW, has anyone tried Bomber Fat Free Shads, the big 3" 3/4oz 18 ft diving model?  I have quite a few of these and I like them as well as Norman DD22s.  

[skunked_again]

ive quit buying Rapala baits all together.

That's one good thing about Normans and Bombers. You can run over them with an armored personnel carrier and they don't break.

BTW, has anyone tried Bomber Fat Free Shads, the big 3" 3/4oz 18 ft diving model? I have quite a few of these and I like them as well as Norman DD22s.

i like the bombers ok. a little un-known secret is the bandit 200 series for shallow cranks. its a really good bait.

the next year ill be using strike king cranks sooo well see how t hey fly.

btw.....ive never busted any cranks other than Rapala

[bladeslinger]

I have busted the lips on a few Lucky Craft RC 1.5's....  >

[Randall]

I have never broken a Rapala bill that I can remember but then again I don't crank rocks often and fish mostly wood and grass with them. I don't make my cranks dig hard into the bottom either which could also cause the lips to break easily in rock. But I also agree with Rapala in the fact that the thin bill is what makes that bait work. I will take a broken bill or two just to get the action and depth out of the bait. Before the DT series I had to grind and sand all my bills down on other brands and with the DT's I don't have to anymore.