I think L/C baits look beautiful,and if i owned some i probabally wouldn't use them, they would go in a display case. I catch too many pike and would be concerned about bite-offs. But 2 to 3 times the cost of most cranks? What makes it so expensive? The best trebles are what-$1 apiece, high quality split rings-.45 for 3, paint-.30,add .20 of plastic and there you go- a $3 crank. I've used over 300 cranks in my life and i don't think 10 of them didn't run right out of the package. There were only 2 that i couldn't fix. Not bad. These lures did what they were supposed to according to their design (dive to 8',suspend, or whatever).So really, the cost is in the mold. But, even though i won't buy them, i hold no hard feelings towards anyone that does. Unless other companies start raising their price for no other reason than "look what l/c gets for theirs". I personally think they are ripping you off, but can a willing person get ripped off? :-/