Rapala's New Bigger RipStop Rips Lips

There are few baits more effective at enticing a fish to strike than a jerkbait. Effective in cold water they can wake a lethargic bass from its slumber, or entice ferocious strikes during prime feeding season. Of course, jerkbaits aren't limited to bass fishing and are an effective means of targeting a wide variety of gamefish including big stripers and are deadly in the salt for snook, mackerel, and redfish.

The Big Brother

The success of the 3.5", size 9, RipStop begged Rapala to build a bigger version. Like the smaller version, the new RipStop 12 has the same unique lip on the tail that results in hard stops after fast rips all on a 4.5" body. This lure can be worked strongly in a tight spot to pull fish out of nearby cover. Fine scaling details, holographics, and a diversity of bait fish and vibrant color schemes are enough to stimulate any fish to feed. Unlike the smaller size 9, that carries only two fine wire VMC trebles, the new size 12 has three hooks to ensure a good hookup.

A Search Bait

Many anglers complained about the quarter ounce weight of the size 9 RipStop making it difficult to cast, especially on a baitcaster. The new size 12 is twice as heavy, which makes it easier for baitcasting anglers. This allows for longer casts that let the angler quickly cover a larger area, and search out where fish are holding.

Not Just a Jerkbait

In testing this lure we found that it can be fished quite effectively as a crankbait to quickly cover a lot of water. On a straight retrieve the lure has an enticing wobble and flash and will dive up 4' on up to 8-pound mono or 30-pound braid. We worked this lure over deep weed beds to locate schools of bass on a straight crank retrieve and then alternated to a more traditional jerk, jerk, crank technique -both with deadly results.

Set to release in 2019 the new size 12 RipStop from Rapala is sure to earn the trust of anglers and the disdain of many gamefish that are tricked by its unique action.