R-Type junk

[Freedom55]

So off to a big box store for a look-see and I found Rapala R Type bait-caster on sale at 40% off (120.00 for 85.00). Took it home, spooled it up with braid, took the braid off and took it back!!

Worst drag system in the world. Tried a second one at the counter and the same thing. Sticky drag.

So I made a deal with the manager and received a 'customer satisfaction' discount on a Quantum Accurist 100. Now it is all Shimano and Quantum PT and no Rapala (except my 30 year old knife and a box full of crankbaits) and in spite of the Rapala Army, I'm going to stick with what works.

[tight line]

I agree, ive bought a few Rapala Rods and Reels just for spares in the boat and have been pretty unsatisfied with them. Even for cheapos.. They make good Tackle and Fillet Knives though!

[pikester]

Mostly agree except for the the R-type rods. I've had a 7'-1" med-heavy spinning rod (rated for 8-17lb line) for about 5 years now & it's easily the best sub-$100 spinning rod I've ever owned! I have used that rod for everything from jigging 1/4oz jigs for walleye up to chucking big glide baits & crankbaits to 20+lb pike as a back up rod at Winefred & Gods lake. No loose guides, reel seat still tightens up properly, & one of the few rods I haven't broke the tip off yet lol. My buddy has the baitcasting version & has had the exact same experience with his.

I would recommend these rods to anyone.

[EZM]

I had a similar experience with R Type Baitcaster ...... worst drag of any reel I've ever owned. The shaft (gear end) on the spool exploded on a 4lb Pike. The retrieve was constantly binding up ..... what a total piece of #$%%.

I will stick to their knives and crank baits ........ the rest of the stuff is cheap products made in China. I have been very disappointed with products produced by Rapala (and the vast consortium of Rapala owned companies).

Rapala announced a plan to increase profits and reduce manufacturing costs through the development of their supply chain in low cost markets and the expansion of their product lines and product offerings ..... I fear this will have long term effects that will result in changing the company's image.

It used to be "Rapala - high quality" ............ to now ........... "Rapala - anything and everything and all sorts of cheap crap".

At least revenues and profits have increased to fund the acquisition/growth engine the company has become.

[bobalong]

I don't have any Rapala reels but have three different models of their rods, an R-type baitcast, an older Signature, and a Magnum. I don't use them a lot with the exception of the Signature (7'-1") which is my slip bobber rod, the Magnum (10') is a sturgeon rod, and the R-type is a 6 1/2 ft, that I use for pulling bouncers in the river.

[fishdude17]

Their customer service is something to be desired as well. I sent them an email in September 2014 regarding the quality of some lures I purchased. Have not received a reply from them...and don't expect to.

[Shmag]

I bought the ice fishing R Type rod and reel combo. Wasn't cheap so I was expecting a really good product and on the first trip I noticed the amount of times I reeled it in and let it down and fighting fish the drag was always changing. I contact rapala and asked if I was doing something wrong. They asked for my address and about 2 weeks later I received a brand new reel no questions asked... They didn't even ask for the old reel. New one has been awesome...all in all it was great to see a company back their product like they did.

[BPman]

I have had a filleting knife for 40 years and it is still good, as are some of their lures and one particular blue ice rod I bought about 5 years ago. By comparison, their monofilament line is the worst stuff I have ever used at any price so back to my beloved STREN.

[CK Angler]

I have a couple Rapala rods I like, my #1 ice fish rod is a Rapala 32"MH about 7 years old and hands down #1 ice rod in my arsenal! I recently tried to find a few more like this online to discover them obsolete...