Photo: BassFan
Rapala and Storm continue to give anglers more options for all kinds of fishing conditions.
By BassFan Staff
At the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, Rapala unveiled a couple new additions to its popular Scatter Rap series of crankbaits as well as new offerings in the Storm Arashi lineup of hard baits.
The Rapala Scatter Rap Crank Deep and Shallow were introduced as were the Storm Arashi Rattling Square 3 and 5, offering anglers several new options depending on what section of the water column they intend to target.
The Rapala Scatter Rap Crank Deep and Shallow feature Rapala's classic balsa bodies and the patent-pending Scatter Lip that causes the bait to hunt from side to side on the retrieve. The deep version is designed to get down to 10 to 12 feet while the shallow model will get down to 4 to 5 feet.
Building on the success of the silent version of the Arashi Square crankbaits that came out in 2013, Storm introduced rattling versions this year in the 3- and 5-foot diving models. Built with the same unique self-tuning line tie and rotated hook hangers as their silent predecessors, the rattling versions will give anglers more options in dirty water situations or when the conditions call for a different look.
To get a closer look at the new baits, check out the gallery and embedded videos below.
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Give 'Em A Little Lip
The Rapala Scatter Rap Crank Shallow was among the new baits Rapala introduced at the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. It features the groundbreaking Scatter Lip and will dive 4 to 5 feet. (Photo: BassFan)
Cold Water Killer
The Scatter Rap Crank Shallow measures 2 inches and weighs 5/16 oz. Its body shape and action should make it a go-to bait during the middle to late pre-spawn period, especially when the water temperatures are in the mid-50s and bass are holding in shallow water. (Photo: BassFan)
Plenty Of Options
The Scatter Rap Crank Shallow is available in 18 color patterns, including four new additions to Ike's Custom Ink patterns – Bruise (pictured), Girlfriend, Mule and Rasta. (Photo: BassFan)
Going Deep
Rapala also introduced the Scatter Rap Crank Deep at the '14 Classic. Built on the same balsa body as the shallow version of the bait, the Crank Deep will cover the 10- to 12-foot section of the water column. (Photo: BassFan)
Gettin' Down
The Scatter Crank Deep is designed to dive quickly to 10-12 feet, all the while displaying the side-to-side hunting action Scatter Raps have become known for.
“That’s right in the wheelhouse of most crankers,” said Mark Fisher, Rapala's director of field promotions. “Whether you’re fishing deep weedline edges, extended points or rockpile humps, there’s a lot of feeding activity that happens offshore in that depth.”
The Scatter Rap Deep will be perfect for fishing rocky slopes, deep stump flats or even isolated clumps of vegetation off the sides of points. (Photo: BassFan)
Seeing Red
Here's the new Scatter Rap Crank Deep in the demon pattern, which was the same color Randy Howell used on a Rapala DT-6 during his Classic victory at Lake Guntersville. (Photo: BassFan)
A New Storm Brewing
Last year, Storm's new Arashi crankbaits burst on the scene with the help of Brandon Palaniuk, who used the silent version at the Mississippi River Elite Series.
At this year's Classic, Storm unveiled new rattling versions of the square bill crankbaits. (Photo: BassFan)
Call Them Out
Shown here is the Arashi Rattling Square 5 in bluegill. This bait will dive to 5 feet and comes equipped with an enticing rattle that will get the attention of any bass. (Photo: BassFan)
Pucker Up
The lip on the Arashi crankbaits is constructed from a circuit board material that is designed to hold up against the abuse it'll surely take when fished along shallow, rocky cover. (Photo: BassFan)
Always In Tune
The unique self-tuning line tie is also a feature of rattling versions of the Arashi cranks.
“The self-tuning line tie allows the bait to get back on track quicker after deflecting off of cover than a conventional shallow-diving crankbait,” said Palaniuk. “And you can turn this bait on a high-speed reel as fast as you can possibly move your hand on the reel, and it will run true all the time. It will never blow out, never kick out to the side." (Photo: BassFan)
Get The Red Out
Red Craw is one of 12 color patterns available for the Arashi Rattling Square crankbaits. (Photo: BassFan)
Power Of Three
The Arashi Rattling Square 3 version, shown here in parrot, will div to 3 feet. The bait is 2 1/8 inches long and weighs a half ounce. (Photo: BassFan)
Hook, Rattle And Roll
Both the Rattling Square 3 and 5 feature a large head that extends to a thin sharp tail. That combination creates unadulterated buoyancy to back out of cover, practically eliminating hang-ups.
The rotated hook hangers on the baits also accommodate larger treble hooks, increasing your chances of catching those fish that come up and slap at the bait. (Photo: BassFan)
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Rapala & Storm – 2014 New Releases
In the below video, Bassmaster Elite Series pros Brandon Palaniuk and Mike Iaconelli explain where and how to fish the new Rapala Scatter Rap Crank Deep and Shallow.
In this video, Palaniuk dives into why the Storm Arashi Rattling Square 3 and 5 will be important tools in his fishing.
