the other day i was showing my dad my new shallow shad rap and he asked me why the bill was bent at the 90° angle like that. honestly i didnt know the answer to this question besides that it makes the lure go shallow. so i told him it was to make the lure run shallow. then he asked why they didnt just give it a short straight lip but at a steep angle like most shallow diving baits. i had no idea.

so, WHY DO THE SUPER SHAD RAPS AND SHALLOW SHAD RAPS HAVE BENT BILLS INSTEAD OF SHORT STRAIGHT ONES?

Maybe it adds to their action, or keeps them running horizontal instead of angled downward like they are trying to dive but not able to.  

If Rapala designed it, I don't ask any questions. All I know is they catch ALOT of fish for me, especially in the spring.

I don't know the answer, but Roostertails idea makes sense to me.

Falcon

yeah roostertails idea is pretty plausable. i wouldnt have thought of that one myself. i'd have to fish with the shallow shad rap and see how it swims, maybe then i can come up with an answer...

I don't know, but Shad Raps are my favorite crankbaits, both the shallow and deep diving. Whatever the reason, it works!!

Roostertails idea sounds good enough for me.But like the old saying goes "if it works don't fix it."