Rapala Countdown Elite

Rapala’s CountDown Elite is a sinking minnow developed to enhance the casting distance, flight stability, and controllability during drifts required in modern fishing conditions, while inheriting the traditional CountDown action. Based on a balsa wood body, it replaces the through-wire construction with a high-strength stainless-steel plate, increasing durability while lowering the center of gravity. The use of a tungsten core weight is intended to improve casting distance compared with the traditional CountDown.

The flat-sided body produces a darting action when twitched, while the dimpled lip characteristic of the CountDown series grips the water to maintain stable swimming even in current. It starts swimming quickly after landing and sinks with a side-to-side wobble while maintaining a horizontal posture, allowing it to continue attracting fish during the fall. The basic presentation is a retrieve after casting, and it also supports techniques such as casting upstream across the current and letting the lure drift, as well as combining drifting with twitches. The range includes the CDE35, CDE55, CDE75, and CDE95 models, with body sizes from 3.5 to 9.5 cm, weights from 4 to 14 g, and running depths from 0.9 to 1.5 m. The CDE35 measures 3.5 cm, weighs 4 g, and has a running depth of 0.9 m; it comes standard with two No. 16 hooks.