Rapala Shadow Rap Shad Jerkbait Ripbait Product Review

Lure Review

Rapala's Shadow Rap Sequel - the Shad

Date:	4/8/17
Tackle Type:	Lure
Manufacturer:	Rapala
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 8.00 - BEST VALUE AWARD!

Introduction: Early in 2016 we shared with you an exciting new rip bait from Rapala USA, the Shadow Rap. A few months after we published that review, Rapala announced their new Shadow Rap Shad. A bait with the same spirit as the original only with a shad profile instead of a minnow and a slightly different swimming action. How different is this bait? Let's take a look.

Rapala Shadow Rap Shad Specifications
Type	Rip/Jerk Bait
Length	3 1/2"
Weight	3/8oz : 7/16oz (deep)
Depth	3-4 ft. : 5-6 ft. (deep)
Material	hard plastic
Colors	24
Hooks	2x #6 VMC Thin Wire Trebles
MSRP	$8.99

Introducing Rapala's Shadow Rap Shad.

Impressions: The Shadow Rap Shad, like the original Shadow Rap comes in two versions, a standard, shallow running bait and a deeper running bait, the Shadow Rap Shad Deep. The only real difference between the two baits is the length of their bill. The Shadow Rap Shad is almost an inch shorter than the original Shadow Rap measuring at three and a half inches (3 1/2") versus four and three eights (4 3/8") for the Shadow Rap.

Like the original Shadow Rap, the Shadow Rap Shad is available in a shallow and deep running version.

Real World Tests: It took a little while for us to find a good rip bait bite to put this bait through the test, but we certainly had a lot of time with it on the water checking out its action. For our tests, I fished the deep version of this bait which is rated at five to six feet (5'-6'). The standard version is rated three to four feet (3'-4').

Detailing around the head is good including a relief of the bait's pectoral fins on the body.

Castability: One thing about compact baits like the Shadow Rap Shad is despite the lack of an internal weight transfer system, as long as the bait has some heft to it, they are super easy to cast. The Shadow Rap Shad Deep is rated at seven sixteenths of an ounce (7/16oz) which is 0.4375 in numerical format. Our Shadow Rap Shad sample weighed only 0.385 ounces which is actually closer to three eighths of an ounce (3/8oz or 0.375) - the rated weight of the standard bait.

The 5 internal weighted bearings are not entirely fixed but they also have very little freedom of movement.

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