Tightlines Ultimate Vision Lures Controversy

[FishnBen]

So....there's been a ton of controversy about this company and its products. They claim to produce lures that give off ultraviolet rays that bass can see but humans can't. Being a somewhat local brand, I noticed they are definately starting to get much more national attention. Byron Velvick and Brent Chapman are now sponsored by them, and Velvick even has a Tightlines wrap.

Last spring I fished a tournament with a guy from Maryville, MO, where they're made, and he started off the day struggling. As soon as he put one of Tightline's beavers on a shakey head, he started killing them! He caught a nice 16 pound sack and won that tournament by 7 pounds. He then called his co-angler for the tournament the next day and told him to stock up on them, and they proceeded to win the tournament the next day with a field of about 30 boats. He told me he didn't believe in them either until someone he fished with tied them on and started outfishing him significantly.

In the classic, I read on the live classic blog that Chapman started off day 2 or 3 I don't remember, with a quick limit, while his good friend Todd Faircloth, who was in the hunt to win, was struggling to get a bite on the same stretch of shoreline. Chapman idled up to his boat, and gave him the exact bait he was using, and Faircloth tied it on immediately. Now, what do you think he gave Faircloth that Faircloth didn't already have in his box? 

I'm not saying those instances prove that these lures are legit fish catchers, but they are definately enough to make me think about it. There has been a ton of controversy about whether or not bass can see UV rays and if these are actually worth buying ($5.99 for 2 baits, I know, very pricey, but if they put fish in the boat I can justify that as much as buying a $15 crankbait). Just wondered what everyones thoughts are on these. Please don't grill me for bringing them up. I know many think they're a gimmick, I thought they were at first too, but I think my opinion is changing after these recent events....

[Marty]

Never heard of the company or the products. But the market will ultimately answer the question. If they are as claimed, eventually they'll put Zoom, Yamamoto and others out of business.

[airborne_angler]

You can read up on some opinions of this bait here.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1265341835/0

I was asking about it as well.

[J Francho]

UV based baits and scents have been the rage in the trout/salmonoid world for about a decade.  It works for those species, but I have no clue about bass.  I figured it was a matter of time before someone hypes it for other species.

[Team9nine]

At the moment there is nothing in the scientific literature to support such claims for these products, outside of the studies carried out by the companies themselves (which aren't published). They're not just trying to sell this stuff in the bass world either. Several different companies have various "products" on the market, all claiming basically the same thing. Until such time as there is some credible evidence (research) that what they claim is actually occurring, I'll remain a skeptic.

There will always be those willing to pay a good amount to have the next "sure" thing or to be one step ahead of the competition. As has been suggested, if they work so well it won't take too long for the market to sort it all out. I'll be watching with interest on the sidelines, still catching bass on my $3 20-ct. bags of non-UV plastics in the mean time.  8-)

-T9

[-nick-]

Laser lures produce strikes and catch fish where "regular" lures wouldn't either! :

5.99 for 2? That's priced right where people that are smart won't buy them, but people who want to believe will. If they work like claimed, make them cheap for a short period of time or do something so everyone could get ahold of at least one to try. If they do, EVERYONE would pay that if they caught fish as claimed. But I'm guessing they don't, otherwise they'd do this.

[midnighthrasher]

Kind of reminds me of trigger X. Last year there was alot of hype about them and that they had pheromones in them and where are they now???? In the dollar bin!!! Nevertheless i would give them a try.

[Shad_Master]

Had an opportunity to check these out this weekend - the local bait shop at our tournament lake had "sample" packs with 5 different colors. Picked up a pack and opted for the "green" - immediately got bit - within in about 5 casts - had another big ole hog on the line - then got snagged in a brush pile and lost that lure. tried the other colors and go nothing.

Jury is not back on these - I may pick up another pack of the greens and give them more try.

BTW, they now come 5 in a pack for $5.99.