# Smith D-Contact: the heavy crankbait that casts far and accurately for trout > Sizing, inertial glide and pinpoint casting under branches with the Smith D-Contact, a cult Japanese crankbait for trout and perch. - Source : https://carnafish.com/en/leurres/smith-d-contact/ - Language : en-US - Updated : 2026-09-02 ## Spec sheet - Brand : Smith - Model : D-Contact 63 - Type : Trout crankbait - Target species : Trout, Perch - Size : 6.3 cm / 2.5 in (50/63/72/85 mm range) - Weight : 7 g / 0.25 oz for the 63 mm model - Running depth : mid-water, shallow running thanks to a short lip - Retrieve speed : slow, worked with inertial twitches - Action : heavy body that glides on inertia after each rod snap, flat highly reflective sides - Rigging : a fine split ring, 16-20 lb fluorocarbon leader - Colors : akakin (red/gold), trout-parr, flashy finishes for stained water On a trout river choked with willows and brambles, the problem is almost never the lure — it's putting it exactly where it needs to be, under a low branch, without snagging. Smith's D-Contact was built to solve exactly that very Japanese problem — Japan's trout streams are often just as narrow and cluttered as ours — with a body unusually heavy for its size that flies straight and far, even on a hard, flat cast. ## A heavy body for pinpoint casting Most small trout crankbaits weigh 3-5 g at 5-6 cm, which makes them wind-sensitive and hard to place accurately. The D-Contact flips that logic: at a comparable size, it packs noticeably more internal mass, which stabilises its flight and allows surgical casts into a gap between two branches, several metres out. ## Sizes 50/63/72/85: which one to pick - **50 mm (4.5 g)**: small streams, very short casts, wary wild brown trout. - **63 mm (7 g)**: the most versatile size, for most medium-sized trout rivers. - **72-85 mm (9-14.5 g)**: wider rivers, bigger fish, or when you need noticeably more distance. Start with the 63 mm if you don't yet know the water: it's the safest compromise between stealth and ease of casting. ## Swim action: the inertial glide that matters Unlike a standard minnow that swims continuously on the retrieve, the D-Contact uses its weight to glide on inertia after each rod snap — closer to a jerkbait, but with a short lip that keeps it running shallow. In practice: 1. **A sharp rod snap** makes the lure accelerate and dart slightly to one side. 2. **The body carries on** for a split second after the motion stops, coasting almost freewheeling. 3. **Trout very often strike during that glide**, when the lure appears to naturally slow down like a tiring baitfish. > On the water: don't try to swim the D-Contact on a pure straight retrieve like a standard minnow — the twitch and the glide are the whole point, not continuous cranking. ## Perch along the drift The D-Contact isn't just a trout lure: its flat, highly reflective sides and pronounced glide also make it an excellent choice for perch in rivers or canals, especially drifted along a dock wall or a reed edge, where an ambushing perch watches for a baitfish that seems to briefly falter. ## The detail that protects the swim The D-Contact's weighted body makes the swim sensitive to split-ring size: one too thick or off-centre can slightly throw off the glide. Favour a good-quality fine ring, and check it after any snag in the branches. Accurate casting never replaces reading the spot — that's exactly what [CarnaFish](https://carnafish.com/en/) offers, reading a photo of your spot to tell you where to aim before you even pick up the rod. For reading spots and approach on rivers, our guide to [river trout fishing](https://carnafish.com/en/blog/peche-truite-riviere/) remains the reference. As a complement, a [sinking minnow like the Rapala CountDown](https://carnafish.com/en/leurres/rapala-countdown/) lets you dial in a precise depth when the D-Contact, which runs shallower, isn't enough to reach a trout holding lower in the water column. ## Box-ready summary - A weighted body that flies far and accurately, even on a hard cast under branches. - 63 mm (7 g) as a versatile starting point, 50 mm for narrow streams. - Fish it with twitches: the inertial glide after each snap triggers most strikes. - Also effective on perch drifted along developed riverbanks and docks. ## FAQ ### What size D-Contact should I start with? The 63 mm model (7 g) is the best starting point: light enough to stay subtle, heavy enough to cast with precision. Save the 50 mm for very narrow streams and the 72-85 mm for wider rivers. ### How do you properly fish the D-Contact? With twitches: sharp rod snaps followed by an inertial glide where the lure naturally slows down. Most strikes come during that glide phase, not during a continuous straight retrieve. ### Why is this crankbait so heavy for its size? It's deliberate: the internal weight stabilises the cast and lets you reach precise gaps under vegetation, a real advantage on narrow, cluttered trout rivers. ### Can you catch perch on the D-Contact? Yes, it's one of its good secondary uses. Its flat sides and pronounced glide make it effective drifted along docks, walls and reed edges in rivers or canals. ### What leader should I pair with this lure? A 16-20 lb fluorocarbon leader suits most situations, balancing stealth with enough strength against obstacles near the bank. ### Does this lure work on rivers cluttered with branches? That's exactly where it excels: its weight allows accurate, flat casts into tight gaps, where a lighter lure would drift off course or fall short. --- 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.