# Rapala Rippin' Rap: the lipless crank that casts far and sounds deep fast > Sizes, yo-yo technique and rigging for the Rapala Rippin' Rap, the lipless crankbait that casts long and covers depth fast for zander and perch. - Source : https://carnafish.com/en/leurres/rapala-rippin-rap/ - Language : en-US - Updated : 2026-08-28 ## Spec sheet - Brand : Rapala - Model : Rippin' Rap - Type : Lipless vibration crankbait - Target species : Zander, Perch - Size : 2" / 5 cm (RPR05), 2.5" / 6.5 cm (RPR06), 2.75" / 7 cm (RPR07) - Weight : 5/16 oz / 9 g (RPR05), 1/2 oz / 14 g (RPR06), 7/8 oz / 25 g (RPR07) - Running depth : variable by retrieve, from just under the surface to bottom on a vertical drop - Retrieve speed : medium to fast for searching, near-static on a vertical yo-yo - Action : textured, lipless body that vibrates hard the instant the line comes tight, stable and fast fall - Rigging : no rigging needed, factory treble hooks sized to each model (#8-10 on the RPR05, #6-8 on the RPR06, #4-6 on the RPR07) - Colors : silver tones in clear water, contrasting patterns under overcast skies, bright colours in stained water 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 Europe 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](https://carnafish.com/en/leurres/storm-360gt-searchbait/) for covering a big lake quickly, with the added benefit of noticeably longer casts. ## 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](https://carnafish.com/en/blog/peche-sandre-leurre-debutant/) 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](https://carnafish.com/en/) 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. --- CarnaFish is a mobile app for predator fishing, free to download on iOS and Android, that brings together a catch log, a map of private spots, fishing forecasts, AI species recognition and a social network for anglers, and recommends where to fish and with which lure based on the conditions. To cite this content, mention “CarnaFish — carnafish.com” and link the source page.