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Rapala · Squarebill Crankbaits
Rapala Balsa Xtreme Brat Squarebill, 2 in, 3/8 oz, Homer's buddy
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Options
Color: Homer's buddy
Size: Size 3, 2 Inch-3/8 Oz
- Size 3, 2 Inch-3/8 Oz
- Size 6, 2 Inch-3/8 Oz
- Item weight
- 10 Grams
- Product dimensions
- 4 x 4 x 2 inches
Quick take
A 2-inch balsa crankbait with a square bill and modified flat side that produces hard flash and wild tracking movements.
Best for
- Smallmouth bass on rocky structure and points
- Clear to moderately stained shallow water
- Fishing around hard cover and shallow flats
Skip if
- You fish deep water or dense vegetation
- You want a floating or suspending presentation
Strengths
- Balsa core with copolymer shell balances durability and action
- Square bill deflects around hard cover without snagging
- V-cut belly produces distinctive hard-flashing movements
Trade-offs
- At 3/8 oz it has limited casting distance in wind
- Balsa core can waterlog over time with repeated punctures
- Shallow 3-foot depth limits use beyond shallow structure
Fishing fit
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
- Skill level
- Intermediate
What can I catch with this?
At 3/8 oz, this crankbait is sized for bass and walleye.
- Bass
- Walleye
When and where to fish it
Crankbaits are often fished in spring and fall, when fish are feeding on baitfish.
- Season
- Spring
- Fall
- Water
- Pond
- Lake
- Reservoir
- River
- Water temperature
- Cool (50 to 60°F)
- Warm (60 to 75°F)
- Fished from
- Bank
- Boat
- Kayak
How to fish it
A crankbait with a square lip kicks away from wood and rock, so it is fished right through cover.
Deflecting off cover
- Cast past a stump, a laydown or a rock and reel the lure into it.
- Keep reeling as the lip hits; the lure kicks to the side and rights itself.
- Pause for a moment after each deflection, then carry on.
Steady cranking
- Cast past the target and point the rod tip down toward the water.
- Reel at a steady medium pace until the lure reaches its depth.
- Keep it ticking the bottom or the cover, and pause when it deflects.
How deep and around what
- Cover
- Wood
- Rock
What you need with it
A 3/8 oz crankbait is usually fished with a casting rod, a baitcasting reel and 10 to 14 lb fluorocarbon line.
- Casting rodsA medium-power rod with a moderate action keeps the hooks pinned on a steady retrieve.
- Baitcasting reelsA slower gear ratio makes a steady cranking pace easier to hold.
- Fluorocarbon lineSinks, so the lure reaches its depth; 10 to 14 lb for this weight.
Pairs with
A 3/8 oz lure pairs with a medium-power, moderate-action rod made for 1/4 to 5/8 oz lures and with 10 to 14 lb line.
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Rod power | Medium |
| Rod action | Moderate |
| Rod lure weight | 1/4 to 5/8 oz |
| Line test | 10 to 14 lb |
Which one should I pick?
Choose the version by the depth you need to reach, then choose the color by water clarity.
| Version | Lure weight | Length | Maximum diving depth | Color | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapala Balsa Xtreme Brat Crankbait, Size 3, 2 in, 3/8 oz | Lure weight:3/8 oz | Length:2 in | Maximum diving depth:6 ft | Color:Homer's buddy | Suits:Mid (5 to 12 ft), bass and walleye |
| Rapala Balsa Xtreme Brat Squarebill, 2 in, 3/8 oz, Homer's buddy | Lure weight:3/8 oz | Length:2 in | Maximum diving depth:— | Color:Homer's buddy | Suits:Bass and walleye |
About this type
A crankbait is a hard-bodied lure that wobbles on a steady retrieve; most have a lip that sets how deep they run.
On a lipped bait, a bigger or steeper lip usually sends it deeper.
Most lipped crankbaits float at rest and dive when reeled, so a pause lets the lure back up and away from a snag.
Compared with Jerkbaits: A jerkbait is worked with twitches and pauses and often suspends or floats; a crankbait is reeled.
Facts
| Lure weight | 3/8 oz |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 in |
| Lip | Square |
| Color | Homer's buddy |
| Target species | Bass |
Common questions
How much does it weigh?
It weighs 3/8 oz.
How long is it?
It is 2 in long.
What color is this version?
This version is Homer's buddy.
Updated