The bandit 100 has been a workhorse for me over the years, but the now discontinued square bill was a bust. Seeing that the rackit is getting some run from them I was going to pick up a couple for Christmas. Looking at the pictures of the bait though it looks like they may be bringing back the square bill I didn’t like, so maybe I could save myself some money. 

 

Is the new really just a rerelease of a discontinued bait, but with pradcos marketing power?

No, it's not the discontinued squarebill. The shape and sound are different, I know that for sure. I also know I never caught a single fish on the old squarebill and I've caught several on the Racket already. 

Pretty much what blue said, though I don't have any older Bandits.  Smallies go crazy for this bait up here.  I have four of them, and they all run the same.  That consistency is important to me.  I don't want to lose "that one special bait" when a northern takes it. 

I have caught a ton of fish on the discontinued squarebill.  In the Midwest, it's very deadly in the fall.  I'm eager to try the new Rackit before season goes out.  I'd like to see a Root beer color.