Rapala introduces CrushCity™ soft baits – premier line of soft baits designed by Rapala® pro Jacob Wheeler for all tournament and avid bass anglers.
Welcome to CrushCity. Where the Fish Are Big and the Bite is Hot.
Rapala takes pride in helping people catch more and bigger fish; so, with that said, Rapala is introducing its new, premier line of soft baits – CrushCity Customs.
Developed from America’s top professional bass anglers, anglers see how versatile and effective these baits are, they will be using them to crush other species on multiple bodies of water all over the country. With the introduction of five soft baits, Rapala aims to show how defined the soft bait category can be with attention to detail on every bait matching the innovation they have brought to hard baits over the years.
Welcome to CrushCity
CrushCity is a destination in the mind of every angler. It’s a place where the fish are big and the bite is hot. It’s what every tournament angler lives for, and what every angler dreams of. CrushCity is a celebration of this special place where all anglers dream of setting the hook, one fish after another.
“Every time you get in your boat, take a cast from the dock or pier, or throw a bait from shore, you think of CrushCity,” said Dan Quinn, RapalaVMC’s Director of Field Promotions and R&D. “All anglers want is to arrive at that special place – whether you’re a seasoned tournament professional such as Jacob Wheeler or you’re a 10-year-old crushing bass while casting from a kayak at the family’s lake place.”
“When you tie on a CrushCity Customs bait and make that cast, we want you to be thinking, ‘I want to crush one!’” Quinn added.
Meet the CrushCity Gang
Every town or city has its cast of characters who make that place special. It’s no different with CrushCity. With the introduction of CrushCity soft baits, you will have five new buddies already tested and proven by the top angler in the world.
“Rapala came to me and asked, ‘What are the five shapes of soft baits that you most need to win tournaments,” said Rapala bass fishing pro Jacob Wheeler. “And I said, ‘Well, number one, you have to have a paddle-tail swimbait. Then, I said, a chatterbait/spinnerbait trailer, a craw, a ned rig/drop shot bait, and some sort of bug you can use for flippin’.”
Through months of testing, including actual tournament settings, the Rapala R&D team, working closely with Wheeler and other Rapala pro members, perfected the first five baits in the CrushCity line-up.
CrushCity includes a cast of characters that will work side-by-side with today’s tournament anglers to haul in the biggest, badest bass. This cast includes:
Bronco Bug
With one of the most eye-catching profiles in the lineup, it has a super unique undulating action to match! The tight center hinge gives it an enticing dolphin-like swimming action, followed by the lethal “bronco buck” undulating action when jigged on the bottom.
Freeloader
Don’t let the name fool you, this little dude is sure to pull its weight on every rod it’s on! Wheeler and the PD team set out to design the ultimate chatterbait/ Spinnerbait trailer. Featuring a streamlined profile with miniature ribs for added action and tail that tapers to a ribbed point that creates a kicking action that is subtly realistic.
Ned BLT
This little dude packs a lot of features and action into a compact package. “It is a completely different material than anything else,” Wheeler said. “It combines durability and high floating, while also retaining maximum action. It’s built with TPE, so it’s super flexible. “When you shake it in place, that tail is constantly moving,” Wheeler said. With even the slightest bit of wind, current or angler-imparted action, the tail quivers, which leads to more commitments.”
Cleanup Craw
This crowd favorite boasts subtle differences that add up BIG when put into action! “The subtle differences make all of the difference,” Wheeler said. “The main attraction to this craw is the upside-down legs and the kicking action on this craw is insane. Every time that I move the bait, the legs will start to quiver.”
The Mayor
Every City needs a Mayor that is dependable, adaptable, and fearless. Ready to lead the way in all seasons and all conditions. “The biggest thing, more than anything, is subtlety,” “When you look at a shad swim, or a perch, or a baitfish, when they swim the tail does not move that much.” “The density of the plastic is critical to that kick,” Wheeler said.
Every one of these new soft baits was created with an attitude and willingness to get out there and get crushed by monster bass.
Game-Changing Baits
The Original Floating® Rapala, the Shad Rap®, the X-Rap®, the OG Series®…the list goes on and on — at Rapala, there’s a tradition of creating game-changing fishing lures that have the power to transform fishing.
CrushCity soft baits have that potential.
While designed for largemouth bass, spotted bass, and smallmouth bass, CrushCity soft baits can be used effectively to crush all types of species – and not just bass! How about stripers and peacock bass? Or, how about taking the CrushCity gang along in the kayak or fishing for redfish, speckled trout, amberjack, bluefish, or Spanish mackerel while surf fishing or fishing from your favorite pier?
And you can bet avid multi-species anglers are going to love the action of baits like “the Mayor” or floatation and toughness of the “Ned BLT” where those baits are going to become key baits for walleye in the Midwest.
Like the Original Floating Rapala, which was originally created to catch pike and brown trout in Finland, and over the years, has caught dozens of species around the world – many world records — CrushCity is wherever and whenever you want to fish it.
Pair CrushCity soft baits with VMC® hooks and Sufix® fishing line, and you will have an undeniably premium setup where quality matches quality with these brands.
“When you come out with a Rapala soft plastic brand – there’s a lot to live up to,” said Wheeler. “It takes time to get it perfect. It takes time to make something special. It’s a lot of days on the water testing these baits. Figuring out what works, and what doesn’t. We put the time into perfect CrushCity.
CrushCity Customs will be available fall 2023.