Developed by Major League Fishing pro Jacob Wheeler, the Rapala Crush City Freeloader is a deadly and super versatile shad-style bait that needs to be in your tackle box at all times. Molded with tall flat sides to resemble a baitfish and a unique ribbed pin tail, the Rapala Crush City Freeloader produces an enticing but very subtle quivering action that is perfect for rigging on your spinnerbait, vibrating jig, or scrounger head. It is also highly effective when paired with a small jighead and used in conjunction with forward-facing sonar to catch fish using the hover strolling technique.
Using Smart Injection Technology, each bait combines custom combinations of color, flake, salt, and scent, that are added precisely where needed for the perfect presentation. Available in a huge selection of colors that were carefully selected by Jacob Wheeler to be used on professional-level tournament circuits, the Rapala Crush City Freeloader simply gets bit and provides near-limitless rigging options.
Great as a trailer, but they shine elsewhereA lot of people use these primarily as a trailer, but where the Freeloader really shines is on a darting head. They have a more soft darting action compared to some other dart jigs, but that very action absolutely slays fish! Try this on a 2/0-3/0 darting head and jerk it upwards with slack in between each jerk. That's my favorite way to rig them!
Benjamin - UP, SwedenJune 02, 2026
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Top BaitOne of the best soft plastic baits of all time when put on something…I put it right up there with the Senko, roboworms, ikas, zoom super flukes.
Anonymous - CALIFORNIA, United StatesApril 15, 2026
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
More than a trailer - much more.First time i used the Freeloader I caught 5 walleyes 6 smallmouth, and 3 large white bass. All swallowed completely. I have been fishing over 65 years. I have never seen fish so aggressively hit a lure. The freeloader was Texas rigged and slowly jigged. For gosh sakes do not limit yourself to using the Freeloader as a trailer only. The lake has a gizzard shad forage base.
Ron - SD, United StatesJanuary 20, 2026
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Texas riggedI' am reading this bait as a chatterbait trailer. I used the Freeloader Texas rigged while drifting and slow trolling. Had a wonderful day. 4 walleyes from 17 to 20 inches, 5 smallmouth, 3 white bass over 2 lbs, and a 10 lb northern pike. Never had used this before. Shad color. You can bet I will use this again - Texas rigged.
Ron - SD, United StatesJune 29, 2025
4 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Great Chatterbait trailerMy partner and I are catching 50 to 80 bass a day with a gizzard shad on a 3/8 or 1/2 oz shad or pumpkin green Jack Hammer. Only bad thing about the bait is if you don't use glue it doesn't last very long. Even then only about 4 or 5 bites when they are slamming it. If it had the same consistency as a spunk shad I would give it a 10 if I could.
Dallas Trammell - AL, United StatesJune 22, 2025
5 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Durable trailerCaught eight bass and two pike on one trailer. Paired up with a Zman EVO elite.
Anonymous - WI, United StatesMay 29, 2025
2 out of 5 Stars
I only used as a Chatterbait TrailerToo thick for me as a CB trailer. Doesn't leave a lot of hook to grab a fish. I trimmed them and they are useable after that but I don't need/want to do that. I will fish the rest of the ones I have a hover rig or even like a fluke, but a big thumbs down from me for what I originally bought them for.
Meatwad - VA, United StatesApril 14, 2025
5 out of 5 Stars
The goatThe best of these style baits. Prefer over the spunk because of durability and action.
Carl - CA, United StatesMarch 02, 2025
5 out of 5 Stars
Great BaitThese are an amazing lure. Put these on 1/8 to 1/4 oz Queen tackle jig head and the bass eat them like crazy. Watched the fish on livescope taking swipes at them on Eufala last Saturday. Great durability, and I also throw them on the back of a spinner bait or chatter bait. Can’t wait to fish these for my first tournament this year. Awesome bait. Recommend Gizzard shad for more stained water and Green Shad for clear water add Bait Pop in Ice Out to see them better on livescope.
Anonymous - AL, United StatesSeptember 14, 2024
4 out of 5 Stars
Would Recommend
Awesome baitGreat trailer for a chatter bait, but it cant be used as a swimbait because the tail cant swim.
