Rapala · Shallow Diving Crankbaits
Rapala Shallow Shad Rap, 3.5 in, 0.4 oz, Balsa
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Options
- Item weight
- 12 Grams
- Product dimensions
- 3.54 x 0.39 x 0.39 inches
Quick take
A shallow-running 3.5-inch balsa crankbait with a wounded-minnow wobble for clear and skinny water.
The Rapala Shallow Shad Rap in 3.5 inches is a balsa crankbait built for skinny water, with a shallow running lip that keeps its wobble near the surface. It runs to about 8 feet, a depth that suits anglers working flats, shallow banks and the edges of cover. At 0.4 ounces with a perch finish, it is a light lure for spinning gear.
Best for
- Bass and panfish in clear, shallow water
- Bank and dock fishing in small ponds and streams
- Daytime casting where lure visibility matters
Skip if
- You need a deep-diving crankbait
- You fish structure where a crankbait will snag
Strengths
- Balsa construction provides buoyancy and natural action
- Shallow running lip prevents diving into weeds
- Hard treble hooks catch reliably on strikes
Trade-offs
- Balsa is less durable than plastic on repeated strikes
- Shallow running limits reach to 3-4 feet of water
- Treble hooks snag easily in weeds or woody cover
Fishing fit
- Water
- Freshwater
- Techniques
- Casting
Specifications
| Type | shallow diving crankbait |
|---|---|
| Length | 3.5 in |
| Weight | 0.4 oz (12 g) |
| Construction | Balsa wood |
| Dive depth | Shallow running |
What can I catch with this?
At 0.4 oz, this crankbait is sized for bass and walleye.
- Bass
- Walleye
When and where to fish it
Its natural pattern suits clear water, where fish get a long look at the lure. Crankbaits are often fished in spring and fall, when fish are feeding on baitfish.
- Season
- Spring
- Fall
- Water
- Pond
- Lake
- Reservoir
- River
- Clarity
- Clear
- Light
- Bright
- Overcast
- Water temperature
- Cool (50 to 60°F)
- Warm (60 to 75°F)
- Fished from
- Bank
- Boat
- Kayak
How to fish it
Crankbaits are usually fished on a steady retrieve that keeps the lure near the bottom or the cover.
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
At 0.4 oz it runs down to 8 ft, in the mid depth zone, around the outside edge of grass, wood and rock.
- Surface
- Shallow (to 5 ft)
- Mid (5 to 12 ft) (this product)
- Deep (12 to 25 ft)
- Very deep (over 25 ft)
- Maximum diving depth
- 8 ft
- Depth zone
- Mid (5 to 12 ft)
- Cover
- Grass
- Wood
- Rock
What you need with it
A 0.4 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 0.4 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 |
What it imitates
Its natural pattern imitates bluegill and perch.
- Bluegill
- Perch
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. |
|
| Silver | Flashes like a baitfish in clear to lightly stained water. |
|
| Blue Gill, PerchThis one | Looks like real forage in clear water, where fish get a long look. |
|
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 | 0.4 oz |
|---|---|
| Length | 3.5 in |
| Maximum diving depth | 8 ft |
| Lip | Round |
| Color | Perch |
| Color family | Natural |
Common questions
How deep does it run?
It runs to a maximum depth of 8 ft.
How much does it weigh?
It weighs 0.4 oz.
How long is it?
It is 3.5 in long.
What color is this version?
This version is Perch.
Updated