The Rapala Countdown series of minnow-style lures has been around for years. They are a lure that can be trolled, cast and slowly retrieved, or cast and allowed to sink to the required depth that the fish may be holding. So whether the fish are suspending at certain depths near the weed tops, or on bottom structure, the Countdown can get you to them consistently. They have a working depth of between 0.3 to 3.9 metres. There are a number of different techniques that you can try when using this balsa-made sinking lure. Cast the lure and allow it to sink to the bottom. While it's sinking you should count how long it takes. Next time count one less, and you will then start the retrieve and the lure will stay just off the bottom. Or you can work out where the fish are holding, and count down until you are in amongst the school, and start a stop-start retrieve to entice the fish to bite the lure. Ideal for shallow or deep water, and for trout and bream, the Coundown is a must for any angler in the salt or freshwater.
The Rapala Countdown series of minnow-style lures has been around for years. They are a lure that can be trolled, cast and slowly retrieved, or cast and allowed to sink to the required depth that the fish may be holding. So whether the fish are suspending at certain depths near the weed tops, or on bottom structure, the Countdown can get you to them consistently. They have a working depth of between 0.3 to 3.9 metres. There are a number of different techniques that you can try when using this balsa-made sinking lure. Cast the lure and allow it to sink to the bottom. While it's sinking you should count how long it takes. Next time count one less, and you will then start the retrieve and the lure will stay just off the bottom. Or you can work out where the fish are holding, and count down until you are in amongst the school, and start a stop-start retrieve to entice the fish to bite the lure. Ideal for shallow or deep water, and for trout and bream, the Coundown is a must for any angler in the salt or freshwater.
The Rapala Countdown series of minnow-style lures has been around for years. They are a lure that can be trolled, cast and slowly retrieved, or cast and allowed to sink to the required depth that the fish may be holding. So whether the fish are suspending at certain depths near the weed tops, or on bottom structure, the Countdown can get you to them consistently. They have a working depth of between 0.3 to 3.9 metres. There are a number of different techniques that you can try when using this balsa-made sinking lure. Cast the lure and allow it to sink to the bottom. While it's sinking you should count how long it takes. Next time count one less, and you will then start the retrieve and the lure will stay just off the bottom. Or you can work out where the fish are holding, and count down until you are in amongst the school, and start a stop-start retrieve to entice the fish to bite the lure. Ideal for shallow or deep water, and for trout and bream, the Coundown is a must for any angler in the salt or freshwater.
The Rapala Countdown series of minnow-style lures has been around for years. They are a lure that can be trolled, cast and slowly retrieved, or cast and allowed to sink to the required depth that the fish may be holding. So whether the fish are suspending at certain depths near the weed tops, or on bottom structure, the Countdown can get you to them consistently. They have a working depth of between 0.3 to 3.9 metres. There are a number of different techniques that you can try when using this balsa-made sinking lure. Cast the lure and allow it to sink to the bottom. While it's sinking you should count how long it takes. Next time count one less, and you will then start the retrieve and the lure will stay just off the bottom. Or you can work out where the fish are holding, and count down until you are in amongst the school, and start a stop-start retrieve to entice the fish to bite the lure. Ideal for shallow or deep water, and for trout and bream, the Coundown is a must for any angler in the salt or freshwater.
Last updated at 04/20/2026 16:01:25
Rapala Cd-3 Cd03 Tr Brown Trout Sinking Countdown 1.5" 1/8oz Swims
Delivery $30.31
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Rapala Countdown Plug in Brown Trout, Size 1/8 Oz from The Fishin' Hole
Rapala Countdown Minnow CD03 30mm Brown Trout Lure
Delivery $10
Rapala Countdown 3cm TR
Delivery between Wed – Fri $11
Rapala CountDown, 30 mm, 4 g
Delivery $28.06
Rapala CountDown 3cm Hard Body Fishing Lure #Brown Trout
Free delivery between 27–30 Apr
Rapala CD03 Countdown 3 Hard Body Lure, Brown Trout
Delivery $11.99
Rapala Countdown Lures 30mm / BROWN TROUT
Delivery between 24 Apr – 1 May $9.99
Rapala Countdown 3cm Brown Trout - Outback Equipment Australia - Marine Gear & Accessories - Fishing Gear & Accessories
Delivery between Thu – Mon $17.13
3cm rapala countdown sinking hardbody balsa fishing lure - brown trout
Delivery between 29 Apr – 5 May $9.95
originally posted on basspro.com
I used the smaller version years ago. I don't know why I never went back to it until by chance I saw a slightly longer one on sale. I had to have it. Fished it on a hot summer evening and when nothing else worked, this bad boy brought em in! Just cast it, let it sink to the desired depth and twitch it in. Bass just jumped all over this. Runs true right out of the box. Be sure to tie on a loop knot of some kind so you don't restrict its action. There, my secret is out!
originally posted on basspro.com
Perfect for small mouth in river current. Bonus it catches bluegill and crappie very well. It casts alright for a tiny lure as long as you use light line.
originally posted on discounttackle.com
I caught several species with the size three. Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Large Bluegill, and White Bass all in one outing. Pick a few up and go have some fun!
| Dimensions | 10.2 x 5.1 x 2.5 centimetres (0.01 kg) |
Rapala Cd-3 Cd03 Tr Brown Trout Sinking Countdown 1.5" 1/8oz Swims
Delivery $30.31
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Rapala Countdown Plug in Brown Trout, Size 1/8 Oz from The Fishin' Hole
Rapala Countdown Minnow CD03 30mm Brown Trout Lure
Delivery $10
Rapala Countdown 3cm TR
Delivery between Wed – Fri $11
Rapala CountDown, 30 mm, 4 g
Delivery $28.06
I used the smaller version years ago. I don't know why I never went back to it until by chance I saw a slightly longer one on sale. I had to have it. Fished it on a hot summer evening and when nothing else worked, this bad boy brought em in! Just cast it, let it sink to the desired depth and twitch it in. Bass just jumped all over this. Runs true right out of the box. Be sure to tie on a loop knot of some kind so you don't restrict its action. There, my secret is out!
Perfect for small mouth in river current. Bonus it catches bluegill and crappie very well. It casts alright for a tiny lure as long as you use light line.
I caught several species with the size three. Largemouth Bass, White Crappie, Large Bluegill, and White Bass all in one outing. Pick a few up and go have some fun!
I’m using these in a variety of colors in the late spring just after warmer temps move. Best success with black/white and bass colors. Lots of success with pan fish, bass and perch. Mostly smaller fish hit this but pan fish 6” and larger can get the look in their mouth. The occasional spotted bass will hit them in Lake Wylie SC. Use a Rapala knot and a medium retrieve speed for good action. I usually let them sink near the bottom and bounce along there. Not too much to hang up on with only the tail treble hook in the spring. Summer would be a different story with all the vegetation.
I have doing well on rainbow trout with the CD-1 & CD-5 silver (Cant seem to find the CD-3 ever). I prefer the CountDown (sinking) over the original (floating) models. Floating models are too light to cast well. The CD-1 really seem to work well for trout, simulate minnows the trout feed on. Nice slow retrieve. They will ignore one size totally and then hit on a different size lure minutes apart so keep a couple different sizes and try until you find the one they want. Work for Bass as well.
I've literally lost count of how many fish I have landed with these countdown minnows! Not just a lot of fish, a lot of 4.5 to 5 pounders. I recommend getting a few different colors, so you can cycle through them until you find what the fish are hitting that day. I've had excellent luck with trout and bass in medium to fast flowing water with brighter, chartreuse colors in the early morning and late afternoon.My only complaint:Some come without a snap ring on the front (as pictured on this site), and some come WITH a snap ring already attached. This inconsistency is annoying and affects how the lure behaves in the water, causing it to pull to one side or the other when retrieved if the snap ring is not present. I recommend getting some snap rings to have on hand ... MoreI've literally lost count of how many fish I have landed with these countdown minnows! Not just a lot of fish, a lot of 4.5 to 5 pounders. I recommend getting a few different colors, so you can cycle through them until you find what the fish are hitting that day. I've had excellent luck with trout and bass in medium to fast flowing water with brighter, chartreuse colors in the early morning and late afternoon.My only complaint:Some come without a snap ring on the front (as pictured on this site), and some come WITH a snap ring already attached. This inconsistency is annoying and affects how the lure behaves in the water, causing it to pull to one side or the other when retrieved if the snap ring is not present. I recommend getting some snap rings to have on hand to apply to any that come without it. It makes a difference.
In 1974 I gave up on the original floating Rapala for the Countdown as my main lure - the latter casts better, has better wiggling action and once you've figured out the sink rate you can cast and work it to fish depths you previously though would require a deep diving lure. Once it's at the right fishing depth, a brief pause in retrieve followed by a couple of sharp jerks on the rod tip seem to provoke smashing strikes by Walleye, Pike and Smallmouth Bass. It can also be fished almost jig like in 20-25' of water by letting it settle down and then doing the pause and twitch routine. I have found it to be excellent trolled for Lake and Brook Trout in Ontario lakes. My favourite colours are gold foil for Walleye et c. and silver foil for trout and Arctic Char. CD7 and ... MoreIn 1974 I gave up on the original floating Rapala for the Countdown as my main lure - the latter casts better, has better wiggling action and once you've figured out the sink rate you can cast and work it to fish depths you previously though would require a deep diving lure. Once it's at the right fishing depth, a brief pause in retrieve followed by a couple of sharp jerks on the rod tip seem to provoke smashing strikes by Walleye, Pike and Smallmouth Bass. It can also be fished almost jig like in 20-25' of water by letting it settle down and then doing the pause and twitch routine. I have found it to be excellent trolled for Lake and Brook Trout in Ontario lakes. My favourite colours are gold foil for Walleye et c. and silver foil for trout and Arctic Char. CD7 and CD9 are my preferred sizes.
I've used this lure several times and have yet to catch anything, however that has more to do with where I've been using it. Overall it's a very nice lure, great colors, sturdy, swims beautifully and easy to use.
Rapalas are a great lure, but they have pushed customers too far with their pricing.To allow Cabela's and Bass Pro to charge what they now charge is getting ridiculous. There are other lures that are now a better price/benefit. Until prices come down, Rapala's are no longer the value they once were.
I have used this bait for a number of years now. I use this silver Countdown #7 for white bass fishing in the spring. I have also used it to catch large mouth and small mouth bass in rivers during the summer. It is a really well made bait. I have only lost a few of these lures throughout the years. I have lost them because of being in a tree or snagged something underwater and broke the line trying to pull it in. I caught a Muskie one year on this lure and the teeth from the fish broke into the bait. I wasn’t fishing for it, but still caught it. I saved the lure just as a keep sake.
| Dimensions | 10.2 x 5.1 x 2.5 centimetres (0.01 kg) |
