Rapala · Shallow Diving Crankbaits
Rapala Shad Rap SR9
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Options
- Item weight
- 1.6 ounces
- Product dimensions
- 1 x 1 x 1 inches
Quick take
A 3.5-inch balsa crankbait with a natural baitfish profile, hand-tuned at the factory and effective from ultra-slow to fast retrieves.
This Hot Steel version of the Shad Rap is a 3.5-inch balsa crankbait with a long lip that dives between 8 and 15 feet. It suits anglers who cast or troll for bass and want one classic baitfish-profile lure to cover different depths.
Best for
- Bass fishing in lakes and reservoirs
- Trolling along structure at 8 to 15 feet deep
- Anglers who want a proven, balanced lure ready to fish
Skip if
- You need a lure that tracks in heavy weeds
- You fish deep structure; this model's 15-foot depth limit may not reach target depths
Strengths
- Balsa construction gives natural movement and buoyancy
- Hand-tuned and tank-tested at the factory for consistent action
- Works equally well on a slow, controlled retrieve or at full speed
Trade-offs
- Balsa is more fragile than hard plastic and dings easily
- Treble hooks snag readily in weeds and thick wood
- VMC black nickel hooks perform well but may rust if not dried after freshwater use
Fishing fit
- Species
- Bass
- Trout
- Panfish
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
- Trolling
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 long lip needs a long cast to get down, so it is fished by deep cranking.
Deep cranking
- Make the longest cast you can; a deep diver needs distance to get down.
- Hold the rod tip low and reel steadily until you feel the bottom.
- Keep the lure grinding along the bottom and pause when it deflects off rock.
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
- Maximum diving depth
- 15 ft
How to choose a color and size
Color
| Options | When to pick it | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Firetiger | A loud pattern that shows up in stained and muddy water under cloud. |
|
| Regal Shad, Shad | Flashes like a baitfish in clear to lightly stained water. |
|
| Yellow Perch | Looks like real forage in clear water, where fish get a long look. |
|
Which one should I pick?
Choose the version by the depth you need to reach, then choose the color by water clarity.
| Version | Length | Maximum diving depth | Color | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapala Shad Rap 09 Crankbait, 3.5 inches, 9/16 oz, Firetiger | Length:3.5 in | Maximum diving depth:15 ft | Color:Firetiger | Suits:Stained and muddy water |
| Rapala Shad Rap SR9 | Length:3.5 in | Maximum diving depth:15 ft | Color:Multi | Suits:— |
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
| Length | 3.5 in |
|---|---|
| Minimum diving depth | 8 ft |
| Maximum diving depth | 15 ft |
| Lip | Long |
| Pack count | 1 |
Common questions
How deep does it run?
It runs to a maximum depth of 15 ft.
How long is it?
It is 3.5 in long.
Updated