{"product_id":"rapala-cde35-countdown-elite-precision-minnow-for-long-casts","title":"Rapala CDE35 Countdown Elite - Precision Minnow for Long Casts","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur review of the Rapala CDE35 Countdown Elite finds it most useful for anglers who want a compact, precision minnow that casts farther and holds a natural fall. The bottom line: this lure is for fishermen targeting wary trout and bass where subtle presentation and controlled sinking are important. With a running depth of about 0.9m and a tungsten core weight, the Countdown Elite is designed to deliver extra distance and a stable, horizontal drift that makes subtle strikes easier to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRunning depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e The near 0.9m running depth lets anglers present the minnow in mid-water where many predators feed, improving hookup chances without excessive retrieval speed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact body:\u003c\/strong\u003e At 1.4 in body length this lure is sized to mimic small baitfish, which is ideal for pressured fisheries and selective feeders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTungsten core weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e The internal tungsten weight increases casting distance by roughly 20% compared to the predecessor and concentrates mass for tighter, more accurate casts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHorizontal fall drift:\u003c\/strong\u003e The design supports a controlled, horizontal fall so the lure looks natural while sinking and during pauses in retrieve.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStainless steel stamping plate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reinforcement with a stainless stamping plate adds strength and shifts the center of gravity low, improving stability and hook-up orientation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReliable hooks:\u003c\/strong\u003e Equipped with two VMC treble hooks size 12 for dependable penetration on light strike events.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe CDE35 Countdown Elite is best for freshwater anglers who fish for trout, panfish or bass and need a small, accurate minnow that casts farther and presents in the strike zone with a realistic fall. It suits users who pause and twitch retrieves to tempt follows and short strikes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLess suitable for anglers targeting large open-water pelagics or those who require deep-diving crankbaits; the shallow running depth and light 0.1 oz weight make it a specialist tool rather than an all-purpose big-water lure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompact 1.4 in profile imitates small baitfish and triggers bites from selective predators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eW tungsten core weight increases casting distance and improves accuracy for tight shots to structure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHorizontal fall and low center of gravity produce a natural presentation during pauses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDurable stainless steel stamping plate for added strength in the body.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 0.1 oz weight and 0.9m running depth limit use in deep water or strong current situations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVery small treble hooks may require care when fishing heavy cover to avoid bending or snag damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRapala\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCDE35 Countdown Elite\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRunning depth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.9 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBody length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.4 in (3.5 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.1 oz (4 g)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHooks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwo VMC 7554 treble hooks, size 12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecial features\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTungsten core, stainless steel stamping plate, horizontal drift\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Rapala CDE35 Countdown Elite is a focused, well-built minnow for anglers who need a realistic, mid-water presentation and extra casting distance in a small package. It delivers good value where subtlety matters, though its light weight and shallow running depth mean it is best reserved for targeted freshwater situations rather than deep or heavy-current fishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow deep does it run?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe lure runs to about 0.9 m, making it suitable for mid-water presentations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it cast well?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the tungsten core weight increases casting distance by roughly 20% over the previous Countdown design.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat hooks are fitted?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt comes with two VMC treble hooks, model 7554 in size 12 for light-to-medium hooksets.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rapala","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46489113526491,"sku":"B09SYM16X3","price":21.72,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/511kOafnj3L._AC_SL1080.jpg?v=1739478868","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/rapala-cde35-countdown-elite-precision-minnow-for-long-casts","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}