Rapala DT Series of Crankbaits ... 2025
SteveF reply :
Could those that have experience with the Rapala DT Series of baits rate them against other crankbaits as far as action and effectiveness?
I'm kind of a Lucky Craft fan, however I would like to get into some handmade Balsa baits and was wondering how these DT crankbaits perform in relation to others until I take the plunge into the $25-$30 baits as they are wood correct?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Happy Holiday's,
Steve
Jake. reply :
They're really nice baits for the price and I've caught a lot of fish on them. That being said, they don't compare favorably to my Zoom WEC custom cranks. I hate the price, but those WECs catch a ton.
CJ reply :
They are fish catchers! I love the DT16 and the DT Flat 7. Some of the Japaneze lures are good stuff but, if you get your hands on a good DT it will catch em' up. That's the deal with balsa lures. Most any of them will catch fish but, you'll get some that are bass magnets.
fathom reply :
they are excellent fishcatchers...i have not experienced the bill-breaking that some of my much younger fishing buddies have.
that said, i seem to catch way more fish in clear or stained on the lc flat mini dr than the dt-6...on the other hand, i seem to catch more fish on the dt-10 than the lc flat cb dr.
as i said, they are excellent fishcatchers but, as with any bait, should be used along with other wood baits instead of using them instead of other wood baits.
.dsaavedra. reply :
QuoteCould those that have experience with the Rapala DT Series of baits rate them against other crankbaits as far as action and effectiveness?I'm kind of a Lucky Craft fan, however I would like to get into some handmade Balsa baits and was wondering how these DT crankbaits perform in relation to others until I take the plunge into the $25-$30 baits as they are wood correct?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Happy Holiday's,
Steve
a few issues here.
1.) DT's are not handmade, they're mass produced in a factory.
2.) DT's aren't anywhere near $25-30 baits, try $6 
3.) Yes they are wooden, balsa wood.
as for your actual question, DT's are awesome. my favorite crankbait for sure. Be sure to get some DT 3's (FAT), DT 4's, DT 6's, and DT 10's.
they have great action and catch me a lot of fish. i dont really have a comparison as to how they work compared to others because DT's are pretty much the only crankbait i throw.
i do occasionally throw a bandit, and the DT's have a much better action than the bandits.
SteveF reply :
.dsaavedra.
I didn't mean that the DT's where $25-$30, I meant that they will play a role in my Balsa selection UNTIL I can purchase the hand made $25-$30 baits.
Jake
Do you have a website or any information on the Zoom WEC crankbaits?
Thanks guys, and keep the feedback coming.
Steve
.dsaavedra. reply :
Quote.dsaavedra.I didn't mean that the DT's where $25-$30, I meant that they will play a role in my Balsa selection UNTIL I can purchase the hand made $25-$30 baits.
Jake
Do you have a website or any information on the Zoom WEC crankbaits?
Thanks guys, and keep the feedback coming.
Steve
oh i gotcha
i misunderstood, my apologies. 
shoot, if you're gonna stock up on DT's to fill your balsa box, you probably won't need to buy any of the 25-30 dollar handmade baits. DT's are just awesome!
BassBandit35 reply :
QuoteDo you have a website or any information on the Zoom WEC crankbaits? Steve
http://www.peepersbaits.com
Munkin reply :
QuoteThey're really nice baits for the price and I've caught a lot of fish on them. That being said, they don't compare favorably to my Zoom WEC custom cranks. I hate the price, but those WECs catch a ton.
I have caught more fish on a DT-4 than Zoom. The Zoom cranks are made well but do not seem to work for me? The LC RC 1.5 is running circles around all other cranks right now where I fish.
Allen
SteveF reply :
Allen,
The RC 1.5 is one of my favorites for sure, guess I am more into something that most other fisherman around me don't have.
Now Marty has always been full of help and expertise, how do his baits compare to those of WEC, Brian's, and the like?
Marty, please feel free to get in on the action ... should I purchase yours instead? Maybe you can break down the differences between makers. The main concern I have (which is probably everyones at first) is the fact I don't want to have $100 in 4 baits and maybe one is productive due to the action?
Thanks all.
Steve
Stringjam reply :
Steve - - it might be helpful if you were specific about exactly what kind of cranks / conditions you're looking for - since there is such a broad range of recommendations.
The Rapala DT series is probably the best bang for the buck out there.....they're designed extremely well - - I think the DT-16 is a classic.
There are some things they don't offer, though.....like flatsided shallow cranks or smaller round cranks.
There are a lot of awesome custom cranks that don't cost $25 as well - - Big M, JawJacker, and Flat-Shad immediately come to mind. It just depends what you're looking for.
Also....don't trip on the wood thing. A well designed crank is a well designed crank.....regardless of whether it's plastic or wood. O.S.P. makes plastic cranks as good as any wooden bait out there.
Muddy reply :
I love the Rapala Dt serires and for some of the other shortcomings that Stringjam mentioned, I am adding some Bagleys to the line up this year, as I prefer Balsa over plastic.
CFFF 1.5 reply :
I had a DT flat 3 and the bill broke off the first day I threw it.
mrbassky reply :
QuoteI had a DT flat 3 and the bill broke off the first day I threw it.
Bills break you gotta be careful. I broke two luck craft bills the same day. :'(
tyrius. reply :
QuoteI had a DT flat 3 and the bill broke off the first day I threw it.
My brother in law broke the bill on a DT. Instead of taking the weeds off with his hand he was slapping it on the water. I told him it would break, but he didn't believe me. About 20 minutes later he belived me as he had to tie on another lure.
tyrius. reply :
Oh and to answer the original question DT's are awesome cranks for the price. I try and get them at Dick's on sale and can usually stock up for like $5 per crank. Love 'em.
Plan on getting some Big M cranks, but the money situation has not been favorable for a while now. Having kids is EXPENSIVE!!! >
Pitchinkid reply :
DT's, for the money are hands down the best crankbait. I'm not completely sold on the sure set hooks that are available on a few but as far as fish catchers , they always got a place in my box. I just hope rapala doesn't pull there usual crap and discontinue some of them. My favorite is a DT7 flat Bleeding Olive shad. Just something about that one here in WV.
Pitchinkid reply :
QuoteOh and to answer the original question DT's are awesome cranks for the price. I try and get them at Dick's on sale and can usually stock up for like $5 per crank. Love 'em.Plan on getting some Big M cranks, but the money situation has not been favorable for a while now. Having kids is EXPENSIVE!!! >
Cant go wrong with Big M cranks, the man does good work. I got a few but havent had a chance to use them yet.
.dsaavedra. reply :
QuoteThere are some things they don't offer, though.....like flatsided shallow cranks or smaller round cranks.
DT Flat 03 DT FAT 03
fishizzle reply :
I throw the DT6 all summer and fall in deep grass (10') in perch color
This year I may switch the hooks though
tyrius. reply :
QuoteQuoteThere are some things they don't offer, though.....like flatsided shallow cranks or smaller round cranks.
DT Flat 03 DT FAT 03
DT Fat 03 is big. It's a 1/2 oz and 2 1/2 inches long.
Stringjam reply :
QuoteQuoteThere are some things they don't offer, though.....like flatsided shallow cranks or smaller round cranks.
DT Flat 03 DT FAT 03
The Fat 3 is a Balsa B sized plug.....I'm referring to KB sized plugs, which seem to be a lot more effective in my waters.
The Flat 03 also isn't really a finesse crank.....more specifically I'm referring to small-profile balsa cranks with a very lively action.
Jake. reply :
QuoteQuoteThey're really nice baits for the price and I've caught a lot of fish on them. That being said, they don't compare favorably to my Zoom WEC custom cranks. I hate the price, but those WECs catch a ton.I have caught more fish on a DT-4 than Zoom. The Zoom cranks are made well but do not seem to work for me? The LC RC 1.5 is running circles around all other cranks right now where I fish.
Allen
That's weird, the Zooms have been awesome for me. The Sand Flea and Sweet P in particular have been great.The RC cranks are great too.
NEKvt reply :
I fished the DT 4 in a perch color this year, it was my most productive crank.
The second was one I didn't expect. My girlfriend was going to be near a Dicks so i asked her to pick me up a rapala DT 4 in a "good color", she comes back with the purple over yellow bleeding hook sureset. Caught a bunch of smallies this year on that one too. If I had it as long as I had the perch one I think it would have been equally as productive. Leave it to the lady to bring back a purple bait
SlingBlades reply :
The DT series of cranks run great right out of the box. Very good bang for your buck IMO.
BASS fisherman reply :
They are good cranks. I have caught a fair share of fish on the DT series too.
But, just like any lure, different brands have different places.
Floaters vs suspending, wood vs plastic, wide wobble vs tight wobble....etc.........
You really have to play around with the different brands to get a feel for what works best and when.
jack1 reply :
DTs are nice cranks. I bought about 16 of them for $3 each, which was a really sweet deal.
I've heard plenty about LCs, but it'll suck to have to loose it due to a snagthat's if you don't have some type of lure retriever.
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