Rapala Rippin' Rap: the lipless crank that casts far and sounds deep fast
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However good a soft plastic shad is, it has a physical limit: without a heavy jighead it never casts particularly far, and it loses stability the moment you crank it fast through open water. The Rippin' Rap sidesteps that problem with a completely different approach: a dense, hard, lipless body that casts like a stone and covers every depth without ever switching lures.
No lip, no limit
Most hardbaits get their running depth from a lip that generates lift and mechanically caps fall speed. The Rippin' Rap has none: its overall shape, dense and textured, generates the vibration, and its own weight controls the fall. In practice, that means this lure casts a long way despite its modest size, sinks fast on a straight line, and can be worked at any depth depending on how long you let it fall before starting the retrieve.
Three sizes by depth and target size
- RPR05 (2", 9 g): the most versatile size for zander and perch in normal conditions.
- RPR06 (2.5", 14 g): better suited to deeper water or longer casts.
- RPR07 (2.75", 25 g): reserved for big zander or deep spots where you need to cover a large volume of water fast.
The technique that changes everything: the vertical yo-yo
This retrieve isn't common in France but it's brutally effective on zander: from a boat, let the Rippin' Rap sink to bottom, then work it with short, sharp lifts of the rod, letting the lure fall back on a tight line each time. Zander almost always hit during the fall, when the lure is vibrating on its way straight down. It's a devastating technique on well-identified deep spots, especially in winter when fish stay grouped in precise zones.
On a lipless crankbait, the strike often comes on the fall, not the retrieve. If you're not watching the line while the lure sinks, you're missing half the bites.
Just as effective as a search bait
Outside of vertical fishing, the Rippin' Rap also works very well as a classic cast-and-retrieve search lure: let it sink for a few seconds after the cast depending on the depth you want, then reel in fast with a few rod snaps to accentuate the vibration. It's a good complement to a soft plastic shad like the Storm 360GT Searchbait for covering a big lake quickly, with the added benefit of noticeably longer casts.
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No rigging required
Unlike a soft plastic, the Rippin' Rap arrives ready to fish, with factory treble hooks already sized to each model. That's a real time saver on the water, though it's worth checking the points after a few snags on hard or rocky bottom — terrain where this lure is particularly at home.
Colour by water clarity
- Clear water: a silver tone that stays subtle while keeping a natural flash.
- Overcast skies: a slightly contrasting pattern to add visibility.
- Murky water: a bright colour, on top of a vibration that already carries far.
Zander and perch: two very different uses
For zander, the RPR05 or RPR06 worked as a vertical yo-yo over a deep spot is devastating in autumn and winter, when fish group up in precise zones. Our beginner's guide to zander fishing covers how to find those zones before picking a technique. For perch, the RPR05 fished as a fast search lure covers a spot efficiently and locates a shoal before switching to finer fishing.
Working out the right depth and spot before choosing between searching and vertical fishing is exactly what CarnaFish simplifies: one photo of the spot is enough for the AI to read the scene and the day's conditions and suggest a matching approach.
The bottom line
- With no lip, this lure casts far and covers every depth fast depending on the fall time before you start reeling.
- Vertical yo-yo jigging is the most productive technique over deep-holding zander.
- Three sizes (RPR05, 06, 07) depending on depth and target size.
- Factory-sized treble hooks, no extra rigging needed.
FAQ
What is a lipless crankbait like the Rippin' Rap?
It's a hardbait with no lip, where the vibration comes from the overall body shape rather than a front-mounted plastic bill. That absence of a lip allows longer casts and a faster fall than a standard crankbait.
How do you fish the Rippin' Rap with a vertical yo-yo?
Let the lure sink to bottom from a boat, then work it with short lifts before letting it fall back on a tight line. Most zander strikes come during that fall phase.
What size Rippin' Rap should I choose for zander?
The RPR05 or RPR06 cover most situations. Save the RPR07 for deep spots or big zander late in the season.
Do I need to swap the hooks on the Rippin' Rap?
Not necessarily — the factory treble hooks are sized correctly for each model. Just check their condition after repeated snags on hard or rocky bottom.
Does the Rippin' Rap also work as a standard cast-and-retrieve lure?
Yes, it's a good option for quickly covering a large body of water, adjusting the fall time after the cast to reach the depth you want.
What colour should I use in murky water with the Rippin' Rap?
A bright colour, to add a visual cue on top of the already far-carrying vibration — particularly useful when turbidity limits how far a fish can see.
The full zander lure guideSeason-by-season strategy: which family of lure, when, and why.Go from theory to fish
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