Are You Willing To Buy Expensive Lures?

[SirSnookalot]

The cost of fishing can add up however the money is spent. A $17. lure may last a long time and catch a lot of fish, by the same token it may last 1 cast with no fish. I just bought a few waxwings, probably my limit, not expecting longevity, lots of teeth here.

[J Francho]

Pickerel, even big ones don't usually account for lost lures.  Northern pike are another story.  Thankfully, there are only a couple of short windows of time in spring and fall where both fish's location intersects.  Otherwise, if you're catching pike while fishing for largemouth, then you probably in the wrong spot.  Smallmouth, well that's another story, but we all know cranks don't work for smallies, lol.

[Marty]

Just an example....one $17 Lucky Craft crankbait will catch hundreds of fish.  Yet, many scoff at the price.  How many plastics, at about fifty cents a crack do you go through?  In a day, I can use up $50+ on plastics.  Why is that acceptable, but a $17 plug that will last you years deemed "extravagant" by many?  Add in the fact, if you somehow lose that bait, you can get another that will act JUST LIKE IT.  That isn't always true for many lower priced baits.

 

John, I don't think usage of plastics is related to what someone will pay for a crankbait. Everybody has their own thoughts on what constitutes value. I'm sure many anglers who own boats won't pay $17 for a crankbait. Where does this argument stop? "You spend thousands on a boat and motor and you think $17 is extravagant?" There are $7 crankbaits that will catch hundreds of fish and last for years. I still have seen no evidence, other than anecdotal, that a bait priced at triple of another provides triple the value.

 

Again, everyone has their own thoughts on value. I'm very far from wealthy, but I can afford a modest lifestyle in my retirement. I could afford to pay $5 for a candy bar but wouldn't because it doesn't meet my standard for value. I could likewise afford to buy some $17 lures but wouldn't for the same reason as the candy.

[tomustang]

They are when there's an overabundance of them. Most of where I fish they out number bass, and large is ranging state record sizes (8-9lb class)

[Hooligan]

John, I don't think usage of plastics is related to what someone will pay for a crankbait. Everybody has their own thoughts on what constitutes value. I'm sure many anglers who own boats won't pay $17 for a crankbait. Where does this argument stop? "You spend thousands on a boat and motor and you think $17 is extravagant?" There are $7 crankbaits that will catch hundreds of fish and last for years. I still have seen no evidence, other than anecdotal, that a bait priced at triple of another provides triple the value.

 

 

That's the whole point, though.  That translation of value and the cost consideration.  You say that a $20 crank is expensive when you're regularly paying triple that price per fish for a bag of Senkos.

In terms of a bait being double, or triple the price of another, I have seen, and I will guarantee you I will see again, instances in which very specific baits are the only ones that catch fish under the conditionas at hand.  There are times that a Megabass 110, for instance will catch fish when a Rogue, a Rap, or even a Pointer will not.  Megabass knockoffs?  Nope, the weight, rise and action of the original is what gets bit.  There are situations in which LC, Jackall, or SPRO cranks outperform everything else that have been thrown at them.  That alone justifies the expenditure in a tournament to me.  Catching more and bigger fish justifies it when I'm out fishing with my son.

[Bluebasser86]

That's the whole point, though.  That translation of value and the cost consideration.  You say that a $20 crank is expensive when you're regularly paying triple that price per fish for a bag of Senkos.

In terms of a bait being double, or triple the price of another, I have seen, and I will guarantee you I will see again, instances in which very specific baits are the only ones that catch fish under the conditionas at hand.  There are times that a Megabass 110, for instance will catch fish when a Rogue, a Rap, or even a Pointer will not.  Megabass knockoffs?  Nope, the weight, rise and action of the original is what gets bit.  There are situations in which LC, Jackall, or SPRO cranks outperform everything else that have been thrown at them.  That alone justifies the expenditure in a tournament to me.  Catching more and bigger fish justifies it when I'm out fishing with my son.

I think a lot of it probably depends on where you fish also. If all of a persons fishing is done at lightly pressured bodies of water or typically in dirty water the realism and action of a bait probably doesn't matter as much. Now head to somewhere like Table Rock or Bull Shoals and some days it really takes an ultra realistic finish on a bait to get bit. Last time I was on Bull Shoals the water visibility was over 20' and I could watch bass come from extreme distances to examine my jerkbait. I had to switch baits several times and eventually got them to start eating a 78DD pointer in ghost minnow. My friend fished almost every pointer either of us had in the boat but mine was the only one they would eat. I agree that a lot of the time you probably can get away with a $6 SK or Norman and they will even outfish the expensive baits sometimes, but those days when they're being picky the higher end baits are worth their weight in gold. 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I hope no one fishes the same stuff I do around me honestly.

 

If the price of the bait scares people away from throwing them, it's just another leg up on the competition (the bass, not a tourney guy).

[Bass Junkie]

Yes. I use lures from many different price ranges, and have caught fish on a lot of them. I have also lost quite a few of them. Yesterday alone, I lost a Sammy and a discontinued Team Daiwa TD Splash Walker Zero. However, this doesn't happen very often. I prefer throwing costlier lures because of several factors. For one, the majority feature a very good weight transfer system, something most cheaper lures have a more rudimentary version of, if they feature one at all. To me longer and more accurate casts equal more fish. They also tend to come with much better stock terminal tackle, as well as much more durable finishes. Better terminal tackle means more fish hooked, and more fish landed. Plus, the price is excluding, as the majority of fisherman do not want to spend that much money for a lure, which has been evidenced throughout this thread. I do not mean that in any arrogant way, the price of a man's lure does not define the measure of the man. I prefer to use more exclusive lures simply because the fish tend to see significantly less of them. This can make a difference on pressured lakes, especially when a distinctive style of lure is only available in a few premium brands. While a Bomber Square A can in theory perform almost as well as a LCRC 1.5 (disregarding casting distance), Bomber does not offer a Screw Type bait. On the same note, show me a less expensive alternative to lures such as the Megabass Anthrax, Imakatsue Waddle Bat, or the Deps Buzz Jet. When such lures are offered by premium brands and are not reproduced by the more mainstream market the fish rarely see them. To me this is always a plus. I have more confidence when throwing a lure I know the fish are less likely to have seen, the more so the better. In the end, I feel that some lures are worth the extra price, and pay for the performance. 

[Basshammer]

_{No,  I can't see paying a lot for a lure.}

[*Hootie]

Just an example....one $17 Lucky Craft crankbait will catch hundreds of fish. Yet, many scoff at the price. How many plastics, at about fifty cents a crack do you go through? In a day, I can use up $50+ on plastics. Why is that acceptable, but a $17 plug that will last you years deemed "extravagant" by many? Add in the fact, if you somehow lose that bait, you can get another that will act JUST LIKE IT. That isn't always true for many lower priced baits.

John, I am retired, and I'm okay financially, but if I used up $50.00 in plastics in one day, I wouldn't get any sleep that night. It would just bug the crap out of me...lol. I quit using Chigger craws because of bluegills constantly nipping the flappers off. Too cost prohibitive for me. But I do agree with your point. I spend WAY more than is necessary on rods & reels, Shimano, Loomis, Lews,.... the list goes on and on, then skimp on a $5.00 pack of plastics. I guess it's just a mind thing with me. And I am ashamed to admit, I even get my Berkley products half price. Stingy at one end, frivolous at the other....lol.

Hootie

[Tuckahoe Joe]

Don't feel like reading through 6 pages of replies.  My take on it is that if I spend a lot of money on it, with my luck, it'll be lost within a week.  I don't think I'd spend more than $10 or so on a single lure and that's pushing it.  Maybe $15 but it would really have to impress the heck out of me.  I haven't lost many this season (knock on wood) but if I bought an expensive one, rest assured, I wouldn't have it very long.

[Hooligan]

Yesterday I threw three baits. Period. Two of them were over $30, one was a spinnerbait. I hung up probably 20 times, and still have all three baits. If you're losing that many baits, I'm going to give you all a class on how to use a plug knocker.

I seriously cannot validate the argument that baits are too easily lost to spend money on; which how much of this thread reads.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I can POSSIBLY understand losing baits if you are beating the bank. However, I'm not above swimming to get a lure that I've spent a good chunk of change on. If you are in a boat, there is almost no excuse to lose a lure unless you set the hook on something and snap off.

 

I'm with Hooligan. A good plug knocker (I carry two) will pay for itself the first time you hang an expensive bait. They are simple to use and a MUST for fishing any kind of diving bait, treble bait, bottom contact bait, etc.

[J Francho]

Yesterday I threw three baits. Period. Two of them were over $30, one was a spinnerbait. I hung up probably 20 times, and still have all three baits. If you're losing that many baits, I'm going to give you all a class on how to use a plug knocker.

I seriously cannot validate the argument that baits are too easily lost to spend money on; which how much of this thread reads.

 

 

I can POSSIBLY understand losing baits if you are beating the bank. However, I'm not above swimming to get a lure that I've spent a good chunk of change on. If you are in a boat, there is almost no excuse to lose a lure unless you set the hook on something and snap off.

 

I'm with Hooligan. A good plug knocker (I carry two) will pay for itself the first time you hang an expensive bait. They are simple to use and a MUST for fishing any kind of diving bait, treble bait, bottom contact bait, etc.

 

I could not agree more.

[MarkH024]

I can POSSIBLY understand losing baits if you are beating the bank. However, I'm not above swimming to get a lure that I've spent a good chunk of change on. If you are in a boat, there is almost no excuse to lose a lure unless you set the hook on something and snap off.

 

I'm with Hooligan. A good plug knocker (I carry two) will pay for itself the first time you hang an expensive bait. They are simple to use and a MUST for fishing any kind of diving bait, treble bait, bottom contact bait, etc.

What are you using for a plug knocker? Especially on your 6"+ stuff?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

44 mag lure retriever.

 

Awesome.

 

I also carry one of BPS ones that looks like a big green crankbait.

[J Francho]

This has worked with 100% success.

 

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Whatever you get, make sure you untie the factory knots and tie your own again.

 

Some of them I have seen look like the chinese guys were teaching their kids to tie their shoes.

[MarkH024]

Thanks both of you for the suggestions. Definitely a necessity to have.

[Hattrick7]

Yes but only if it greatly increases my chances of winning some tourney where I can make 10x+ what I paid for them. 

[Fish_Whisperer]

I'm a bank fisherman with no smarts.  I'll throw a hook somewhere and have to break a knot, and dang if I won't throw  right back into it again, and again, and again..."I'm gonna show that log/rock/weed". I've easily lost 50 dollars in the water some long days.  Unless I plan on going swimming, I can't afford to buy high dollar lures/bait at the rate i'm capable of losing them.  The body of water I fish doesn't allow swimming or wading, but I take my chances occasionally.  

 

My decision may change if I was on the inside looking out (in a boat.)

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Nope I catch and have fun with stuff under 10$.75$ on a lure it's going on mywall

[Hooligan]

I just use a hound dog retriever with a few links of the flat chain on it.

[ROCbass]

Right now the most I've spent on a lure is $17 for a 6" BBZ-1 swimbait during the tackle warehouse 15% off labor day sale. That's the max I'm willing to spend on a lure right now, especially because I'm saving up for a fishing kayak so I'm trying to put most of my expendable income into savings for that.

[Bass Junkie]

Someone at the reading of my Last Will and Testament is going to be very happy.

Awesome!