Rapala F11YP Topwater Lure Review
Our verdict
The Rapala F11YP topwater lure costs $8.97 and carries a 4.6 star rating across 616 reviews, a stronger review base than many single lures in this comparison. Its 6 gram balsa body and 4-3/8 inch length target trout, bass, and walleye with VMC black nickel hooks standard.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers targeting trout, bass, or walleye who want a longer 4-3/8 inch balsa topwater bait with a track record of 616 reviews at 4.6 stars, all for under $9 with sharp VMC hooks included.
Skip if
Skip it if you specifically need a lure sized for panfish since the 4-3/8 inch body runs longer than most in this set, or if you want the single highest review count, since the Heddon X9225BON has 1,600 reviews versus 616 here.
- Material Balsa Wood
- Weight 6 Grams
- Target Species Trout, Bass, Walleye
- Technique VMC Black Nickel Hooks
- Size Body Length: 4-3/8"
- Color Silver
- Priced 31% below the category median ($12.98 across 57 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 616 owner ratings
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Popularity3.2/5
616 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other fishing gear and tackle we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
Picture working a stretch of river where trout, bass, and walleye might all be feeding near the surface at once. The Rapala F11YP is sized for that kind of mixed water, a 4-3/8 inch balsa wood body weighing 6 grams, built to cover more of the strike zone than the smaller lures in this lineup.
Balsa wood is the standout spec, giving the F11YP a lighter, more natural drift than the plastic bodied Heddon XO360BB or the metal Heddon X9225BON. VMC black nickel hooks come standard, the same hook brand used on its smaller sibling, the F09S, suggesting a consistent hardware choice across the line. At $8.97 it matches the F09S in price and lands below the $9.50 Heddon X9225BON, while costing more than the $6.99 Rebel F7356 and Heddon XO360BB.
The F11YP carries a 4.6 star rating across 616 reviews and 100 or more units bought in the past month, a solid combination that puts it ahead of the F09S in review volume while still trailing the 1,100 to 1,600 reviews posted by the Rebel and Heddon lures, useful context for anyone comparing track records before choosing between them.
Pros
- 6 gram balsa wood body sized 4-3/8 inches, longer reach than the smaller F09S
- 4.6 star rating across 616 reviews, a solid track record
- VMC black nickel hooks included standard
- 100+ units bought in the past month shows steady demand
- Targets three species at once: trout, bass, and walleye
- Priced at $8.97, below the $9.50 Heddon X9225BON
Cons
- 616 reviews still trails the 1,100 to 1,600 posted by the Rebel and Heddon alternatives
- Costs more than the $6.99 Rebel F7356 and Heddon XO360BB
- Balsa wood construction may be less durable than plastic or metal bodied competitors
- Sold as a single lure rather than a multi pack
- 4.6 star rating ties the Rebel F7356 but trails the 4.7 stars of the Heddon XO360BB
Specifications
| Material | Balsa Wood |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6 Grams |
| Target Species | Trout, Bass, Walleye |
| Technique | VMC Black Nickel Hooks |
| Size | Body Length: 4-3/8" |
| Color | Silver |
| Pieces | 1 |
| Feature | Fishing Lure |
Performance notes
A 6 gram balsa body at 4-3/8 inches puts the F11YP among the larger lures in this comparison, well above the Heddon XO360BB's 7 gram, 1 7/8 inch frame in reach even though the two are close in weight. Balsa wood tends to sit higher and move more freely on the retrieve than the plastic used in the XO360BB or the metal in the Heddon X9225BON, which weighs 14 grams. That buoyancy and length combination suits open water where trout, bass, and walleye may be scattered across a wider strike zone rather than tight to cover. VMC black nickel hooks are standard equipment here, the same hook spec as the smaller F09S, which points to Rapala keeping hook quality consistent regardless of lure size. At $8.97, the price sits in the middle of this group, a reasonable ask for a balsa bodied lure of this length.
What buyers say
A 4.6 star rating across 616 reviews puts the F11YP in a strong position, matching the Rebel F7356's 4.6 stars while showing a meaningfully deeper review base than the F09S at 195 reviews. It still trails the Heddon XO360BB's 4.7 stars and the larger 1,100 to 1,600 review counts posted by the Rebel and Heddon models, but 616 reviews is enough to indicate a genuinely established product rather than a new listing. Combined with 100 or more units bought in the past month, the pattern points to a lure with consistent, repeat demand across a wide customer base rather than a short lived spike in sales.
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Frequently asked questions
What species does the Rapala F11YP target?
The F11YP is built for trout, bass, and walleye, its listed target species. At 4-3/8 inches and 6 grams, it is longer and slightly heavier than the F09S, which suits covering more water for these three species in open sections of a lake or river.
How does the F11YP compare to the smaller Rapala F09S?
Both cost $8.97 and use VMC black nickel hooks, but the F11YP is larger at 4-3/8 inches and 6 grams versus the F09S's 3-1/2 inches and 5 grams. The F11YP also has a much deeper review history at 616 reviews compared to 195 for the F09S.
Is the Rapala F11YP a strong seller?
The pattern suggests yes. A 4.6 star rating from 616 reviews is a substantial sample size, and 100 or more units sold in the past month shows ongoing rather than one time demand, though it still trails the largest review counts in this comparison, like the Heddon X9225BON's 1,600.