Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 Probably been asked many times, but this is a forum I never visit.....but plan on spending more time here as my rod and reel arsenal is now more than big enough. Checked a couple pages, and didn't see any similar thread. I'd like to know if something like a $17 Livingston is worth $10 more than a $7 Rapala (Stopped at Dick's today ). I have to assume the extra money buys better components, probably a better build and better quality control and hopefully a lure that will run true right out of the box. Actually I expect my Rapalas to run true out of the box. Why should I spend the extra money? Thanks for any input. Quote
WolfyBrandon Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 You get what you pay for?... Quality?... Then again, I've payed $2.99 for XCalibur hardbaits that have an amazing paint finish that really holds up and $4 - $5 for things like Strike King KVD stuff that can scratch fairly easy. I would say do some research before purchasing a bait. WolfyBrandon Quote
EvanT123 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I don't really look at it as spending extra money. A more expensive bait might have an action different from a less expensive bait and vice versa. I've decided I have enough plastics at this point and have been slowly expanding my hard bait collection. When I research a bait that might fit my fishing style and environment, I look at what potential hole it may fill in my collection. A recent example for me is the heddon tiny torpedo and broke back rapala. After much reading I decided they are baits that would suit how and where I like to fish. They also have a proven track record. I'm not worried about the hooks or hardware and I won't change them till they are broke. If it was the broke back megabass and lucky craft torpedo at double the price I might have picked them up as well but luckily it's not lol. 1 Quote
Big C Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Price doesn't always dictate quality. Livingston Lures can charge a premium for their hi-tech lures that make noise and have flashing lights. Most of the time you can tell if something is truly high quality by three things: hooks, how detailed the paint is, and customer reviews online. Quote
plumworm Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 You don't "spend much time here" but have 3000+ posts? I've got lures that I purchased back in the 90's with a lot of the finish worn off that still catch fish. I guess I never will understand $18-$400 lures, but that's what makes America great. I just remembered, I did purchase a $18 purple, hand painted jerk bait, from a local shop on Table Rock 15+ years ago. I don't remember if I ever caught a fish on it and it stayed in my jerk bait box until the purple paint wore off. I guess, I have never set a limit by bucks on my lure purchases but over $10 seems like overkill. HERE COMES THE HATE, HERE COMES THE HATE. I just funning, $400 for a "swimbait" really? 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 The more you spends on fishing lures - the more the Bait Monkey will like you. A-Jay 7 Quote
bigturtle Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Expensive lures can be expensive for several reasons such as:BLING BLING!Is it hand made?Is it imported?Does it use high quality/expensive materials?Is it time consuming to make?Does it have a very unique action?Uber durability?Size?Paying for brand?Uber realistic finish? (Megabass anyone?)Rarity?High tech?Versatility?Innovation? (Kamooki Smartfish vs regular lipless?)Why you might want to spend more:BLING BLING!Unique actionUber realistic finishWhy I spend more:BLING BLING! Quote
Dylcook91 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 They have the magic ability to snap off with ease when snagged:) 4 Quote
Super User everythingthatswims Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 Prestige. Who wouldn't want to spend $25 on a rico when they could spend $5 on a Pop-R? I own a couple swimbaits in the $50-$100 range so I'm not in any position to talk about it I guess Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 25, 2015 Global Moderator Posted February 25, 2015 In most cases you're going to get better quality components and the bait will be built with better materials, more attention to details, and more R&D will go into making them work perfectly. I see the value in both sides of the argument. I catch a lot of fish every year on H2O squarebills that I spend $2-$4 apiece on. I also catch a lot of fish on Lucky Craft squarebills and jerkbaits and swimbaits approaching $100 apiece. I enjoy fishing them all. 1 Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 My top price for a bass lure is an Xrap, I catch many on less expensive ones too. 2 Quote
Hogsticker Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Aside from the already mentioned better components and build quality, a lot of it is designed to catch the fisherman. Guilty as charged. A few brands of hard baits I've found extreme quality at a reasonable price is Duo Realis, Yo Zuri, and Spro. Quote
Bigchunk Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Lucky craft pointers are great, but im realizing i can just about get two x raps for the price of one lc, and work just as well. But i think it depends the type of bait some more than others. Cheap spinnerbaits arnt worth tying on in my opinion. Worst part about the pricy baits is that once you buy high, your not going to go back to the cheaper ones. Quote
HookdUP Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 The more expensive lures to me just offer a different action and the price point keeps a lot of anglers away sometimes. So it makes the bait that much more rare to the fish Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 I buy what interests me. While price is something I pay attention to it's not my primary concern. 2 Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 Why should I buy a new Benz whenever my Malibu still gets me to work and back? It's all a matter of what you want to spend and what you value your tackle at. Paint/finish quality, hardware and hook quality, country of manufacture, sponsored professionals, details, tuning, etc. So many things can go into a bait. Just like whenever you're buying a car. 1 Quote
Heron Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Large price tags on 'conventional' lures, for me, are Heron repellent. I can understand if the bait is a large size, or is something fairly unique. But, a $25 bait in favor of a $6 bait, of the same type? - no way. But my perspective is probably unique, in that It depends not what I value my tackle at, but instead, what I value the fish at. And the average Largemouth Bass, as a species, by my reckoning, is not worth the use of a $25+ bait. Not unless maybe...youre getting into some exceptionally larger fish. But thats just me. Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 You know why I do it? Because I like it. I want to open my tackle box and see every gleaming piece of hardware my heart desires looking back at me, ready to do my bidding. Perfect colors, actions, function, rattles and components- all of them. I work my hands to the bone in a really tough trade and I don't even want a lot back out of life- but the things I do enjoy like skiing and fishing I will not dilute my pursuit of simply to entertain someone else's satisfaction paradigm. Sexy baits that tickle your fancy are their own reason. If someone has a problem with my collection, I'd have to remind them that the problem is theirs and theirs alone. One of my favorite quotes is from Robert Fritz: "If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise." 6 Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 25, 2015 Super User Posted February 25, 2015 Collecting tackle is just fun! Heck, I don't fish most of what I already own, but I know there is some new stuff I need. 3 Quote
bassmaster8100 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Probably been asked many times, but this is a forum I never visit.....but plan on spending more time here as my rod and reel arsenal is now more than big enough. Checked a couple pages, and didn't see any similar thread. I'd like to know if something like a $17 Livingston is worth $10 more than a $7 Rapala (Stopped at Dick's today ). I have to assume the extra money buys better components, probably a better build and better quality control and hopefully a lure that will run true right out of the box. Actually I expect my Rapalas to run true out of the box. Why should I spend the extra money? Thanks for any input. The Livingston bait you're referring to contains technology that no other lure on the market does with their electronic baitfish sound. The new multitouch which is the one that is around $17 can be used with either the original baitfish sound, a shad sound, a crawfish sound or can be silent. Does that make it worth $10 more? I say yes. I just picked up a few of the multitouch but haven't used them yet. I have quite a few of the original dive masters with the EBS technology which are around $12. They're worth it for sure I catch more fish and better quality fish since I started using them. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 26, 2015 Author Super User Posted February 26, 2015 The Livingston bait you're referring to contains technology that no other lure on the market does with their electronic baitfish sound. The new multitouch which is the one that is around $17 can be used with either the original baitfish sound, a shad sound, a crawfish sound or can be silent. Does that make it worth $10 more? I say yes. I just picked up a few of the multitouch but haven't used them yet. I have quite a few of the original dive masters with the EBS technology which are around $12. They're worth it for sure I catch more fish and better quality fish since I started using them. Excellent. I didn't know the Livingston name until I stopped at Dick"s. Thanks for the info. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 26, 2015 Author Super User Posted February 26, 2015 You don't "spend much time here" but have 3000+ posts? I've got lures that I purchased back in the 90's with a lot of the finish worn off that still catch fish. I guess I never will understand $18-$400 lures, but that's what makes America great. I just remembered, I did purchase a $18 purple, hand painted jerk bait, from a local shop on Table Rock 15+ years ago. I don't remember if I ever caught a fish on it and it stayed in my jerk bait box until the purple paint wore off. I guess, I have never set a limit by bucks on my lure purchases but over $10 seems like overkill. HERE COMES THE HATE, HERE COMES THE HATE. I just funning, $400 for a "swimbait" really? That's right. "Here" referred to this particular forum. 99.9% of my posts are in Rods, Reels & Lines. Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted February 26, 2015 Author Super User Posted February 26, 2015 I wasn't putting anybody down for spending big bucks on lures. As the title stated, I was looking for any added benefits the more expensive lures might have over the less expensive ones. I am aware that you get what you pay for....usually. I also know there are still some bargains to be had. I read good things about the LC Pointers, but if there are cheaper ones that work as well, I'd rather spend less than more. I have a lot more rods and reels than I need. Hasn't stopped me from adding more. I am sure the same could be said for a lot of you and your lure collections. Lures are one thing I have where a lot still sit unused in their bag or box. I do need to add some more to have a more rounded tackle bag....both literally and figuratively. Quote
fisherrw Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 I think spros have an amazing finish that never chips that's why I buy them. They are expensive Quote
Preytorien Posted February 27, 2015 Posted February 27, 2015 I think the same sort of question could be asked of any hobby/sport/activity. You can take it to the level you wish, and manufacturers of all kinds cater to all budgets. I have a good mix of price points, except Depps and Roman Made and such. But you can bet that if I lived in S. Cali I'd probably have some of those too. I think some of it is the "you get what you pay for" addage, but then again I have no name cheap lures that catch fish just fine. I think it's more for me. I'm confident if I'm throwing a bait that I am assured that a lot of research and quality control went into it (after all that's my profession). This also comes from the guy who's racing bicycle cost more than his first 3 cars put together. Quote
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