Best Rapala for Bass: 8 Choices to Catch More Fish

Confused about which Rapala to throw for bass? After fishing many models for years and talking with my fishing buddies, I’ve put together a list of the best ones.

Last updated: January 17th, 2025

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Best for Smallmouth: Rapala Original Floater

The Rapala Original Floater is my go-to choice for smallmouth bass, and I’ve got the catches to prove it. It was one of the first lures created by the company.

In my experience, what makes this lure special is its simplicity. The hand-tuned balsa wood body perfectly mimics a struggling minnow, while the premium VMC black nickel hooks ensure you don’t lose your target.

Here’s exactly how I fish it: Cast near weed beds or along the shoreline, give it a gentle twitch, and slow-retrieve. Then pause. At the next twitch, you’ll get a bite.

Along with smallmouth, this Rapala Original Floater also works great for panfish. Just make sure you’re buying from a reputable seller to avoid any counterfeit products.

Best for Largemouth: Rapala Husky Jerk

The Rapala Husky Jerk 10 is my favorite largemouth lure due to its consistent performance on the water. While there are plenty of jerkbaits out there, this one has two features that make a real difference in my experience.

First, it’s a suspending lure, meaning it will float underneath the surface right in the strike zone. Second, it has a loud rattle that really seems to attract attention. I’ve watched bass come from decent distances just to check it out.

The best part? You don’t need any fancy retrieval techniques. I’ve had great success with a standard cast and steady retrieve.

It doesn’t have a strong presentation, but instead, you’re relying on the rattle and casting location to catch bass.

The Rapala Husky Jerk is priced under $10, making it an affordable choice for many anglers.

Best for Striped Bass: Rapala X-Rap Saltwater

Why I Chose It

If saltwater bass fishing is what you’re after, then the Rapala X-Rap Saltwater is a must in your tackle box.

I’ll be straight up – at 0.5 ounces, it’s definitely on the small side for saltwater fishing. But despite this limitation, I’ve found it delivers consistent results in terms of getting striped bass.

What makes this lure special? First, it’s hand-tuned and tank-tested for perfect action. Second, its internal rattle system and realistic mackerel look are a deadly combination for stripers.

I’ve found that trolling this lure inshore produces the best results. I’ve also talked with dozens of anglers, some of whom have landed 20+ stripers in a single outing using the same technique with this lure.

While primarily a striper lure, I’ve known anglers who have caught tarpon, ladyfish, and grouper.

Priced between $13 and $20, the Rapala X-Rap Saltwater is a bit more expensive than an average bass lure. That said, I can say that its durability and versatility make it worth the investment.

Best Topwater: Rapala Original Floater 11

Why I Chose It

 The Rapala Original Floater 11 is the same as my ‘Best Smallmouth’ choice but in a specific size (11 cm). It deserves its own spotlight for topwater fishing.

What stands out about this lure is its three treble hooks and straightforward fishing style. Also, the silver finish and bleeding pattern create a perfect injured baitfish presentation.

I’d suggest taking this lure to your local river or lake and trolling it to see what happens. It needs a nice even presentation without any bizarre jerks.

If you’re the kind of angler who likes to scope out around the weediest areas of the water, you’ll want to give this Rapala Original Floater 11 a try.

Best Squarebill: Rapala Balsa Brat

Why I Chose It

The Rapala BX Brat wasn’t my choice for this list due to my limited success with it, but after hearing consistent success stories from my fishing buddies, I had to include it (here you go, Chris!).

What makes this squarebill interesting is its unique construction – a balsa core wrapped in a copolymer shell that can take a beating when bouncing off rocks.

In the water, this tiny ⅜-ounce diving crankbait creates an eye-catching flash on sunny days. I just wish it had a rattle chamber to add some extra attraction.

The lure’s durability against rocks and ability to deflect off structure make it a solid choice for fishing around dams and other hard cover.

At around $11, I feel it’s a reasonable investment if you frequently fish rocky areas where standard crankbaits might get damaged.

Best Diving: Rapala Dives-To (DT) 8 Smallmouth Bass Lure

Why I Chose It

I actually got this Rapala Dives-To (DT) Series Crankbait for free at a trade show a few years back. The Rapala rep gave us a demonstration of its action in the water, and I’ve been sold on it ever since.

I fish it just like that rep showed me: A quick upward jerk of the rod tip creates an erratic, scattered motion. Then I tighten the line and repeat.

The specialized bill helps the lure dive to eight feet and stay there, making it perfect for suspended bass.

However, if you keep it in clear, deep zones, I’ve seen its lifelike appearance and sharp movements shine.

It’s a little larger than some of the other recommendations on this list, but you need to know how to present it properly.

At under $10, I can say that it’s a solid value for a specialized diving lure.

Best Trolling: Rapala Shad Rap 07

Why I Chose It

The Rapala Shad Rap 07 isn’t the easiest to fish, but when you troll, it gets a bit easier. At 2-3/4 inches with a natural perch pattern, this balsa wood lure has the perfect baitfish profile – when you fish it right.

Let me share what I’ve learned from hours of testing: you’ve got two options with this one – either very slow or very fast. There’s no middle ground.

I recommend going slow by trolling along the shoreline so you can create a natural presentation. If you go too fast, you’ll make too much noise and end up spooking the fish.

Priced under $9, I find it to be an affordable addition to my trolling arsenal. You can’t really go wrong with something has a strong reputation for success like this one.

Best Jointed: Rapala Jointed Minnow J11

Why I Chose It

The Rapala Jointed Minnow J11 isn’t your standard minnow bait. In my experience, this jointed design has a learning curve, but once you get it right, the results are impressive.

What makes this lure special is how it combines three key features: a jointed body, red belly coloring, and a loud rattle.

The jointed design creates a wounded baitfish action that bass can’t resist, but there’s a catch – you need to maintain constant movement. When I tried it for the first time, the moment I stopped my retrieve, it floated to the top.

Also, I’ve found that this lure requires attention and practice. You can easily make it look ridiculous if you’re going too fast or too slow, so it’s important to stay consistent.

It is priced at around $12 – not bad for the value it offers. However, you need to be willing to put in the practice time to master its unique action.

Choosing The Best Rapala Bass Lure

So, how do we choose the best lures and what components are we looking for when we call one the “best.” There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re looking for any lure, not just Rapala. 

Material 

All of Rapala’s hard baits are made using balsa wood, and they’re painted to mimic the appearance of different baitfish depending on what you’re targeting and where you’re fishing. 

It’s important to understand how certain materials will impact the presentation of the lure. None of Rapala’s balsa wood lures will sink as much as some other cranks and jerks would. Since it’s balsa wood, they always remain suspended and even floating until you start to retrieve them. 

This presentation is referred to as a suspending topwater, which requires a steady and even presentation to draw the attention you want. 

Action

Similar to the presentation is the swimming action of the lure. These words are almost interchangeable, but the overall impact of the way a lure behaves can be determined before you even buy it. Some of these lures will dive deep down to ten feet and then slowly make their way back up on the retrieval. 

Some will float until you start bringing them in. Each of these types of presentations will draw attention from a different type of bass, and you can use them in different applications. It’s important to understand which is which and in what situations would you want to use one over the other. 

Color 

I’ve always stressed the importance of choosing the right color for each situation. You want to keep a bunch of different-colored lures with your fishing gear because fishing at night, for example, will require a darker-colored lure. If you have a lot of moonlight, you’ll want to use something shiny that may reflect the moonlight. 

When you’re fishing in the heat of summer on an overcast day, you’ll need to mimic those surroundings by using a more neutral color because the bass’s metabolism might be down a little that day. 

On the flip side, when you have a day where the sun is shining, and there’s a slight breeze cooling down the air, the bass is most active. At this time, you can use a bright and vibrant colored Rapala that will generate a lot of attention and make plenty of noise.

Fishing Strategies for Rapala Lures

You have one of these in your hands, but you’re not sure about how you will fish it—no need to worry because I’ve got all the best strategies right here for you. Let’s break each of them down. 

Topwaters

If you’re using a Rapala topwater like some of the original lure options recommended above, you have two simple options. You can cast and retrieve it or troll it. 

When casting, you’ll want to cast to your ideal location, let it sit for a few seconds so any neighboring bass can sniff it out, and then start retrieving it using a very stagnant and slow retrieval. 

If you decide to use a trolling method, all you need to do is turn on your outboard motor to the lowest power and let the boat create the presentation for you. Keep in mind that you could be passing honey holes as you’re doing this, so I only recommend this strategy if you have no idea where to fish the water. 

Suspended Rapalas 

If you’re using a suspending lure, chances are it will sink a little when you cast and then rise to the top until you start to retrieve it. For these, you want to fish them using a more erratic motion. Create a jerking presentation that helps mimic an injured fish, and bass will see this as a great opportunity to take advantage of their prey. 

Sinkers 

When you find a sinking Rapala, you want to slow down the presentation and give it some time to work. These will sink to around ten feet and stay there until you start retrieving them. If you go too fast, you’ll end up pulling them up to the surface, and that will mess up the presentation. 

Many of these lures have square bills on them, which gives them a somewhat erratic action similar to a jig. If you can, find one with red on the bottom to imitate blood, and you’ll likely clean up whatever waterway you’re fishing.  

Final Thoughts

Rapala lures have been around for a long time, and after putting in a few hours of research, we can understand why. These lures have a strong history of creating success for bass anglers all over the country, and it doesn’t matter where you fish either. Whether you’re fishing small ponds or saltwater, you’re sure to find a Rapala bass lure that works for you. 

I highly recommend taking a look at some of the options recommended above. These are all the best Rapala lure choices for largemouth, smallmouth, and striped bass available on Amazon. Be sure to pick up some for your tackle box and keep them for a rainy day. (or sunny day) 

Good luck out there!