Rattlin' Rapala #RNR07 BPS2 Bass Pro Shop Logo

FloridaFishinFool · March 13, 2017, 09:57:17 AM

A fishing buddy of mine who works for Bass Pro gave me this lure this week and I am not sure whether to use it or pass it on as a joke to another fishing buddy.

I would really like to know the story of this lure and why would Rapala actually create a lure with a Bass Pro logo printed on it.

Is this thing a joke or a sales gimmick or does Rapala and Bass Pro Shops actually expect serious fishermen to use a lure like this one???

(The Bass Pro Shops logo is the same on both sides of this lure)

Does anyone know why these two corporations would do something like this?

Polaris425 · March 13, 2017, 10:04:12 AM

Maybe it was a promotional item or something they had made for their employee's ??

Mike Cork · March 13, 2017, 10:28:23 AM

This is very common. BPS will purchase these very cheap and give them away at special functions. Years ago people held onto them hoping they would eventually have collectors value but it never worked out. BPS simply made to many too often.

If you're curious use it.

The other option is a regift. Many people in the world thing BPS is something special, much more than just a tackle store. Generally these folks are not dedicated anglers. They will think it's really cool.

FloridaFishinFool · March 13, 2017, 11:02:04 AM

Thanks! I think both of you are right in that it is more than likely a promotional sales gimmick and possibly a collectors' item more than anything else.

If I used it as is I could catch fish with it since some of the places I fish the water is so dark you can not see your hand 6 inches below the surface in bright overhead sunlight. So where that lure will go there is no way any fish will really get a good look at it if they can even see it at all.

But I have decided to not use it and just pass it along to the next fishing buddy as a joke gift and see what he does with it. I might just sort of accidentally drop it in his boat and not tell him about it and walk away and see if I ever hear anything from him about it.

Right now there is one for sale on ebay- which is where I borrowed the images above from listed for sale at near $19.00 for it. But I am just going to pass mine on along and see if the next guy uses it.

bigjim5589 · March 13, 2017, 07:47:10 PM

I had an old Cordell crankbait that had the Texaco logo on each side. Other lure companies besides Rapala have made promotional lures over the years.

analfisherman · March 13, 2017, 08:41:39 PM

And here's your answer.

I have many from different companies, clubs, organizations, Pro Sport Teams, etc.
Actually set a guy up for an Insurance Company, State Farm and they did them for some Boaters Insurance deal they were starting.

And as Jim mentioned...a lot of Lure companies do it.

http://www.rapala.com/content/rapala-general-information/logo-lures.html?id=1

The guy on Ebay will never get $19 for it.........then again...maybe he will?

FloridaFishinFool · March 13, 2017, 08:53:54 PM

Excellent research digging there Joe! Bass Pro must of paid a premium for their lures because the downloadable order form clearly says this:

"Imprint the classic Rattlin' Rapala with your one or two color logo or promotional message."

And I just checked the Bass Pro lure and it has at least 3 colors, maybe more if there is any green in there, unless the green variation is a combination of the two other main colors mixed like the red and yellow in the Bass Pro Shops logo.

I see Black, red, yellow, white, and what appears by shade to be green in the bass on the logo. That is possibly 5 colors on these Bass Pro Rapala lures. Guess Bass Pro used a different form and I bet paid a higher price too.

Way cool. I see now they are promotional products. Thanks for all the responses everyone. I was wondering why they would make such a product... guess it is to catch fishermen more than fish!

analfisherman · March 13, 2017, 09:08:01 PM

Ya the AMP and Ski-Doo pictured in link have more than two colors too.

The Rapala folks are combining profit AND getting their lure out in front of new anglers.
Customer pays and then hands them out.

cadman · March 15, 2017, 06:28:16 AM

Believe it or not, I would fish it. I have used and still use Rattlin' Rapalas 3/8 and 1/2 oz. To me they are better than the rattle trap. They have a very distinct sound to them in the water and I've caught many fish on these. Color is not an issue. The rattle sound is what counts in the lakes I fish. Give it a try, if the fish can hear it they will hit it.