Rapala Deep Mavrik 110 Review: A Game-Changer for Forward-Facing Sonar

Model Tested: Rapala Deep Mavrik 110
Color: Hot Perch
SKU: PXRDM110 HTPH
Price: $13–15 USD
Reviewed by: American Angling Field Team (Southwest Michigan)

Why We Chose the Mavrik

Modern sonar technology has changed the game. With forward-facing sonar, anglers can track fish behavior in real time, which means your bait choice matters more than ever. We picked up the Rapala Deep Mavrik 110 because we needed a jerkbait that could stay down, show up well on sonar, and hold its position where the fish are roaming. It’s designed to dive deeper than traditional jerkbaits and stay there, making it an ideal choice for anyone targeting suspended fish or working deep weedlines.

Specs That Matter

Real-World Testing

• Location: Multiple lakes in Southwest Michigan
• Season: Post-spawn, late spring
• Water Conditions: Clear (10+ ft visibility) and stained (under 2 ft)
• Setup: 7 ft medium spinning rod with 10 lb fluorocarbon
• Target Species: Largemouth bass and northern pike

The Deep Mavrik stood out in clear water where it slowly sank at roughly 1.3 seconds per foot. In stained water, it held a near-perfect horizontal suspension. We used Garmin LiveScope to spot fish and then cast the bait 10 to 20 feet ahead of their path. The fish responded. Hard.

How It Performed

• Casting: Long, straight casts. No wobble or tumble in flight.
• Sink Rate: Slightly sinks in clear water. Maintains zone control well.
• Action: Quick darting motion with a subtle shimmy during pauses.
• Hook-up Ratio: Outstanding. Over 30 fish landed without a single shake-off.
• Fish Behavior: Triggered chases and hard hits. Pike and bass both responded aggressively.
• Durability: Strong. Paint held up well and no hook bending from pike.

Where This Bait Excels

We ran a steady two-jerk, pause cadence with three to five second delays. The Mavrik gave us repeatable success when thrown into the path of moving fish, especially near depth transitions and outside grass lines.

How It Stacks Up

• Jackall Rerange 110MR: More erratic, less stable between movements
• Megabass Vision 110+1: Ultra-refined but pricier. Slightly less visible on sonar.
• Berkley Stunna 112+1: Excellent suspend and action, but the Mavrik reaches deeper and offers a better sonar signature

The Mavrik delivers where others taper off. If you need a bait that gives you sonar visibility, true depth control, and the confidence to chase deep targets, it fills that role beautifully.

Quick Pros and Cons

• Pros: Extremely sharp hooks, excellent LiveScope visibility, deep running range, great in open water
• Cons: Slight sink may be a drawback for finesse anglers, treble configuration can grab grass, limited color selection

Who It’s Made For

This bait is built for the angler who’s chasing fish on deeper structure using forward-facing sonar. It’s ideal for:

• Boat anglers with LiveScope or similar tech
• Those targeting deep, suspended fish
• Tournament anglers who want sonar-friendly hard baits

It’s not the best pick for bank anglers or those fishing ultra-shallow cover. But if you’re working 10+ foot zones and tracking fish in real time, it performs at a level usually reserved for premium Japanese imports.

Final Thoughts

After heavy testing, the Rapala Deep Mavrik 110 stands as one of the best American-market jerkbaits available for anglers using sonar to hunt. It has just enough sink to keep it in the target zone, enough presence to light up on screen, and enough fish-catching power to become a regular part of our lineup.

It doesn’t try to be everything for everyone. But what it does, it does incredibly well.

Watch Our Field Test

We’re releasing a video review soon with underwater footage, sonar tracking clips, and casting demonstrations. Subscribe to American Angling on YouTube to catch it first.