Are You Willing To Buy Expensive Lures?

[Avalonjohn44]

$20-$25 is my limit, I can't see myself buying one of those swimbaits. Maybe if I lived in California I would consider it, but a $100 swimbait in virginia? Naw, I'd rather put that much towards a good reel or another rod or a couple of dozen bags of Havok baits (with some left over)...

[bigbill]

I purchased my mister twister comidas(senko) for $1.50 a package on sale at there sight. That's how I buy I save on some stuff so I can pay more for others. I think it all comes out even in the end.

I have the high roller in the topwater lures in prop lures and poppers, 3 of each.

As the lures get more expensive I may buy one just to try it. I seen bait casting reels for $700 and spinning reels for $600. A lure for even $50 better catch fish.

[GoneFishi'n]

I would never spend more than $5 for a lure, it outrages me to even think of spending that much money on a stupid fishing lure

Nice collection. Is that a 10" TT? If so I have the same color. I also have a Hardbass which is being sent to Matt because it has caught so many bass!

[vikingbear8]

Nice collection. Is that a 10" TT? If so I have the same color. I also have a Hardbass which is being sent to Matt because it has caught so many bass!

Nah dude its only a 7" I just grabbed the first 8 I could over $70. I have cast off and lost at least this many too! haha

[Cgrinder]

I'm willing to pay a lot for frogs and some hard baits. Jigs, too. I try to be frugal with plastics and swimbaits because they tend to get torn up quickly in my lovely pike-infested waters.

 

 

When I need to add more walking baits to my arsenal, I'll probably pick up some Gunfish or Repomen. I have a Sammy 100 that I hate, so go figure. I saw this custom $25 balsa prop bait the other day; came dangerously close to pulling the trigger.

[The Young Gun]

I've bought 4 custom musky baits all costed 45$.. But reason I justified doing it because they flat out catch fish and no other company makes what this guy does.. Now if I were to snag it, I'm grabbing my 100lb braid and swimming down to the sucker

[SirSnookalot]

I would not pay more than $10 for a freshwater lure and I don't do that too often, I catch just as many and as large on less expensive lures.  The waters I fish here are not conducive for some of these larger heavier swimbaits and I'm not about to use a heavy rod to catch bass, they just aren't big enough.

Most expensive lure I use is a #12 xrap, but I get them for 6 bucks from a friend that's a Rapala rep.  It's a excellent lure for what I use them for, but nothing out catches a $2.50 bucktail jig for both size and numbers, my main lure for snook and tarpon.  

[Bankbeater]

No way would I spend that much for a fishing lure.  I could put the money to better use buying a rod or a reel.

[OkobojiEagle]

are you willing to spend 30 dollars+ on a lure

 

No

 

oe

[29JMP29]

I've bought 4 custom musky baits all costed 45$.. But reason I justified doing it because they flat out catch fish and no other company makes what this guy does.. Now if I were to snag it, I'm grabbing my 100lb braid and swimming down to the sucker

 

yeah makes sense, musky fishing is crazy expensive haha

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Yeah, I would.

 

Different strokes for different folks. In the last week I've thrown free Bassmaster baits I got for previously signing up and I've also thrown $200+ baits.

 

 

Deps Slide Swimmer from last night....

 

 

 

It doesn't make me a better person for spending the money on them and it doesn't make anyone a better person for saving their money for something else. It's just fishing. Fish what you want and what you feel gives YOU the best opportunity for the fish of a lifetime. As long as someone isn't waving the $$$ in your face (which yeah, I have a problem with), then just go fish. It's supposed to be fun, whether you are fishing an NRX/Stella combo or a snoopy rod.

[MarkH024]

Yeah, I would.

 

Different strokes for different folks. In the last week I've thrown free Bassmaster baits I got for previously signing up and I've also thrown $200+ baits.

 

 

Deps Slide Swimmer from last night....

 

 

double%20musky%20013a.jpg

 

It doesn't make me a better person for spending the money on them and it doesn't make anyone a better person for saving their money for something else. It's just fishing. Fish what you want and what you feel gives YOU the best opportunity for the fish of a lifetime. As long as someone isn't waving the $$$ in your face (which yeah, I have a problem with), then just go fish. It's supposed to be fun, whether you are fishing an NRX/Stella combo or a snoopy rod.

Nice fish Speed! What was the length on the ski?  

[SPEEDBEAD.]

No clue, that was the second one of the night.

 

Water was really warm and I didnt want to keep it out any longer than I had to. Mid 30's probably. Both fish were really thick but didnt have length.

 

My buddy I fish with (who catches WAAAY more skis than I do) reported seeing one that was pushing 50. He doesnt fish the big stuff so he gave me a call to see if I could tempt the big girl. Only the little sisters wanted to play though.

[vikingbear8]

How are the largies liking that tiger? If you can keep the ski's off it long enough that is. I'm coming up to PA next weekend to visit might go for an evening and hit up some toothy guys

Yeah, I would.

Different strokes for different folks. In the last week I've thrown free Bassmaster baits I got for previously signing up and I've also thrown $200+ baits.

Deps Slide Swimmer from last night....

double%20musky%20013a.jpg

It doesn't make me a better person for spending the money on them and it doesn't make anyone a better person for saving their money for something else. It's just fishing. Fish what you want and what you feel gives YOU the best opportunity for the fish of a lifetime. As long as someone isn't waving the $$$ in your face (which yeah, I have a problem with), then just go fish. It's supposed to be fun, whether you are fishing an NRX/Stella combo or a snoopy rod.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Last night was the first time I had it in the water.

 

I think its a keeper. It's a converted SK, just called it a SS to ease any confusion here. LOL

[vikingbear8]

Right on, that's my next purchase actually will be a SK and convert it because I have a nasty habit of losing sinkers so I'm gonna make it a heavy floater

[Siebert Outdoors]

Most I can remember is about 25 for a suick musky bait.  I have no problem plopping down the cash if its a must.

[GoneFishi'n]

Last night was the first time I had it in the water.

I think its a keeper. It's a converted SK, just called it a SS to ease any confusion here. LOL

I saw on SU about you buying it. Nice to see its working for what you bought it for.

[JayKumar]

No. I get some expensive baits free because I'm in the biz, but usually don't take 'em out of the box or give them to friends. Just not my thing, probably because the subtleties don't mean enough to me/my skill.  But I will spend stupid money on rods and reels....

[Bassun]

... I've always believed that you can't buy your way to more success with more expensive rods, reels and lures. If evidence came to light that changed my mind, I'd be first in line to buy that equipment...

 

While I personally rarely spend more than $10 on any lures, there are the rare occasions where I will pay a bit more.  But, nothing in the range that some of these lures are asking.  30,50, 100+  yeah, not from this ole boy.  If it has to have a bait that pretty to catch it, it would starve in nature.  I believe all fish are catchable, and eventually with the right conditions can be caught with a variety of lures.  Can you more easily trick a fish with an ultra realistic swimbait vs some big minnow bait?  Probably.  But, can an ultra realistic swimbait look more real than a live minnow?  Nope.  It does take different techniques to fish live bait; but who can argue against the realistic quality of it?  I know that's kind of taboo here, and slightly off subject but fishing is fishing be it with live or plastic worms.  (And if you have not been bobber fishing with worms in a few years, I HIGHLY recommend taking some kids out and do it.  It is SOO much fun.  [when you get to fish lol])

 

 

Marty -- I challenge your comment, specifically with regards to reels.  Precisely bait casting reels.  While I agree you cannot "buy success" directly, you can make a huge jump in success with a BC by using a quality reel.  I was never a fan of bait casters when I was younger.  I had bought a few used and/or cheap versions and continued to have problems getting the results I wanted.  Admittedly for pitching and flipping even the cheap versions worked fine, but for casting they just did not perform. 

 

A few friends were barking about how great their reels were, and couldn't understand why mine sucked (according to me). Long story short, I finally handed my best over to a buddy and said here... show me how its done.  He checked how I had it set up, and was surprised I had it tuned in correctly as he was convinced that was my problem (and throwing too light of lures).  He then cast twice and backlashed.  He laughed and admitted he was wrong.  Then handed me his (I think it was a Revo or Quantum Energy IDR).  The difference was night and day.  For the first time, I saw the difference between a great reel and a crap one.  I finally ponyed up a little bit and bought a Silver Max.  Obviously not a high end reel, but much much better than some of the junk I had been using.  The results of even that upgrade were staggering.  I had spent money on a few nicer spinning reels, Pflueger, Quantum, etc. and while they were a little smoother I wouldn't say they were significantly better than a cheap Avocet II, or the old Copperheads.  BUT - with baitcasters, it makes a HUGE difference.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Just as you pointed out with your reels, you will never know until someone shows you or you try for yourself.

 

Your assumptions about "ultra realistic swimbaits" are just that. Until you have used one or seen it applied properly, you are just grasping at straws as to whether or not a generic minnow bait will produce just as well.

 

I'll concede that in some situations, you are absolutely correct in that they will eat whatever is in front of them. However, the days where they are in lockdown or in less than ideal conditions, you will see a difference. I've seen it. Others have too.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I realize that these things aren't for everybody and honestly, I'm good with that. I'm a little off the beaten path most times and this goes hand-in-hand with my personality.

 

I fish for one fish (or two if I'm lucky ). In the time I've been throwing these things, I've lost only a couple lures. When compared to the fish I've caught, the price is relatively small. I fully believe that without those specific lures in those specific situations, not all of those fish would have bit.

[Bassun]

Just as you pointed out with your reels, you will never know until someone shows you or you try for yourself.

 

Your assumptions about "ultra realistic swimbaits" are just that. Until you have used one or seen it applied properly, you are just grasping at straws as to whether or not a generic minnow bait will produce just as well.

 

I'll concede that in some situations, you are absolutely correct in that they will eat whatever is in front of them. However, the days where they are in lockdown or in less than ideal conditions, you will see a difference. I've seen it. Others have too.

 

I have used some.  Now, I am not going to say that I have used them with the confidence or skill I use other lures that were mine; but I have used them as well as fished against them.  In the instances I was a part of, there was no real difference (admittedly I was not fishing $75 swimbaits we were fishing Lucky Crafts and Rapalas mostly if I remember correctly).  We both caught fish and I actually did better using my confidence baits vs his more expensive stuff; but there are reasons for that beyond the lure its self.  Some of which was I didn't want to lose his gear so I already agree it may not have been a fair shake on that front.

 

My point is that a $20 lucky craft vs a $5 rapala will not yeild significatly different results constantly day to day.  The same holds true for the high end swim baits vs minnow baits.  On some days sure, you will get better hookups on the more expensive, and on others the cheap minnow is all it takes.  My best experience fishing both is not fishing for bass, rather fishing for hybrid stripers.  I've used a variety of more expensive baits, and still I have had the most success using cheap ole Cotton Cordell Red Fins (followed closely by Shad Raps).  I've even bought some $20-$30 baits for that, but end up putting more in the boat with the Red Fins.  Maybe it's my technique, or my location or like you said maybe I've never seen a more expensive lures applied properly... I know I am not the best fisherman in the world.  If I was then I would be talking about my experiences using X vs Z in the classic, lol.  I will 100% agree, there are times when EACH will be more effective.  But let's be honest, if a more expensive lure always outfished some of the classics then we would all just buy the more expensive lures...even the best pros still throw strike kings...

 

As for when things get really tough, I fall back to my first statement about live bait.  No fake lure can look more real than a live bait. 

[Bassun]

I should add -- there are other reasons for fishing more expensive baits such as the quality that goes into it.  A cheap dollar bin crank will not have the best hooks, paint, etc.  Really, the el cheapo junk is just that ... cheap.  And I will 100% agree that an ultra high end version of the same bait as a bargin bin junker will see many more fish.  I think we all can agree with that lol.

 

You do get some improved quality components by fishing more expensive gear vs bottom of the barrel.  But comparing $10 lures to $30 lures it seems the rings, hooks, etc are usually top notch.  You will see different companies use different hooks etc. but if you are dead set on using a specific hook like a Trokar vs whatever then you can always replace your hooks...

 

Mind you, I'm not "anti" expensive gear - I just keep in mind that lures are really designed to catch people first...then fish.

[Felix77]

Yeah, I would.

 

Different strokes for different folks. In the last week I've thrown free Bassmaster baits I got for previously signing up and I've also thrown $200+ baits.

 

 

Deps Slide Swimmer from last night....

 

 

double%20musky%20013a.jpg

 

It doesn't make me a better person for spending the money on them and it doesn't make anyone a better person for saving their money for something else. It's just fishing. Fish what you want and what you feel gives YOU the best opportunity for the fish of a lifetime. As long as someone isn't waving the $$$ in your face (which yeah, I have a problem with), then just go fish. It's supposed to be fun, whether you are fishing an NRX/Stella combo or a snoopy rod.

 

 

That is an AWESOME pic!