Expensive Lures - Selection

[kudagra]

I have a good amount of lucky craft lures - not the most expensive, but not cheap either. So Ive seen that premium lures can be worth it. But, when I am walking the aisles at BPS and looking at stuff $20+ and over, I just dont bother because I don't want to end up with an expensive lure that doesnt work. Do you guys just do research, pick things that match your style, or match colors that have been working?

[einscodek]

I dont buy anything expensive unless its been touted over and over that it catches fish by a bunch of fishermen all over the internet.

The worst is having an expensive lure (esp a big expensive lure) sit at the bottom of the lure pile with a bunch of more effective cheap soft plastics on top!

[Logan S]

Pick one in a similar color and style to what has already worked for you and give it a shot.  If you like it and it works, you'll know whether to continue down the rabbit hole. 

 

That's how I started, bought one Vision 110 to try out during a good jerkbait bite and I loved it...Now I own a bunch more MB products.  The Vision 110 is probably the #1 gateway bait to the higher dollar stuff!

 

[slimshad]

I fought the urge for years.  Bought  a MB Vision 110 and now I own several of their products.  Quality is worth the price.  IMO.  The older I get the more i like the finer things in life.  I kinda feel like I have erned it.  Plus if i spend money on stuff and it works, why not!?

[gardnerjigman]

It's a combination of matching styles/colors etc, and sometimes you just poke and hope. I've bought some expensive duds, and I've also bought some expensive fish catching machines. Same vise versa though, cheap duds and cheap fish producers. I don't feel so bad spending a lot on a hard bait knowing that I can make it last (if I like it) or trade it off (if I don't like it). That bait monkey is one feisty fella!

[desmobob]

 Do you guys just do research, pick things that match your style, or match colors that have been working?

 

 

All of the above, with the emphasis on research.  I'd hate to spend a bunch of money on a lure that wasn't proven to be effective.

 

Just know that buying something like one single Megabass bait will invariably lead to more.  And more.  Once you see the action of a Vision 110, you'll want to try another type of Megabass bait.  Then, once you see the molding detail/shape/finish of an XPod, you'll want to get a few more in different finishes, and then maybe try a PopMax or PopX.  And on it goes....   ;-)

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[Heron]

All of the above, with the emphasis on research.  I'd hate to spend a bunch of money on a lure that wasn't proven to be effective.

 

Just know that buying something like one single Megabass bait will invariably lead to more.  And more.  Once you see the action of a Vision 110, you'll want to try another type of Megabass bait.  Then, once you see the molding detail/shape/finish of an XPod, you'll want to get a few more in different finishes, and then maybe try a PopMax or PopX.  And on it goes....   ;-)

 

Tight lines,

Bob

 

And that my friend...is called, catching fishermen. 

[Preytorien]

Man i read and read and watch videos, I even work out the ideal scenarios that I'd use it then make an informed decision. I rarely buy a Duo Realis crank without some serious contemplation. 

[Random Tackle]

I like fishing spook type baits a good deal.  always used the spook jr or Rebel jumpin minnow.  Had read a lot about the Sammy and was skeptical at first.  Broke down and bought one in a color I've had success on and it didn't disappoint.  I don't even know if 15$ is considered expensive anymore which is funny in and of itself.  Also you really have to try to lose a topwater which is a plus....

[J Francho]

A $3 lure that doesn't work properly is more expensive than a $20 lure that catches over and over. Most lures are more like $8 to $16 though. The ones that are pricey are plastics, with hooks and weights you buy separately, that are only good for a few fish. I have topwaters and cranks that have lira rely caught hundreds of fish each.

[Bk4]

Here's my 2 cent .... A old school ugly stick vs something like a dobyns rod. Both can land fish but one is lighter and more sensitive. It's all about what you can appreciate.

[buzzed bait]

agree with nearly every post thus far.  i bought a vision 110 and then ended up with nearly a dozen megabass lures too....

also, i NEVER buy things at full retail.  i bought a lot of my MB lures at Dick's Sporting Goods using a $10 off $50 or $20 off $100 or something like that to justify buying them....  Bought some LC pointer 100s for $6 on clearance (bought them all).  Found some lipless lucky crafts for $7....

Also, it's a LOT easier to spend that money when you see review after review saying how well the bait performs.  And it also makes it easier for me to spend extra $ on the topwater baits that i feel i have very little chance of snagging or losing.

[MN_Bassin]

In Minnesota, there's no way that I'd get away with throwing an expensive bait. Too many pike, especially the little buggers, that'll cut your line without you feeling a thing.

[SirSnookalot]

My max in freshwater is probably an xrap.

In the long run plastics may cost more, but any lure can be lost from cut off or snag on the very first cast.  I catch a lot of fish on DOA 5.5" jerkshads and Strike King jig heads, it adds up.   I do no better than the people using a Zoom fluke on a Walmart jig head.   

[Dogmatic]

Gotta be a proven fish catcher, before I shell out the "big bucks".

[stkbassn]

I definitely do some research and watch a lot of videos. I read tons of reviews as well. I don't have a ton of money so when I spend $20 plus on a bait I need to be pretty confident that it's a proven fish catcher and also something my gear will handle if it's a swimbait. I also consider if it's something I will use enough to justify the cost.

[roadwarrior]

My #1 suggestion would be the Megabass PopMax.

 

 

 

[buzzed bait]

My #1 suggestion would be the Megabass PopMax.

 

 

you'll never feel so good about spending $20 on a lure as you will with the popmax (or even popx)

best part for me is that it's a topwater bait so i'm so much less likely to lose it, thus makes parting with that $20 that much easier.  the craftsmanship on the megabass lures is unreal.

[bigbill]

Well I broke open my piggy bank.

Lucky Strike

High Roller

And those crankbaits about two years ago were the new rave in bass fishing. Baitball? And the other new crankbaits. Never again. Ill make them Christmas ornaments.

My old discontinued bomber FAT A still out fished them.

[Big Bait Fishing]

after throwing swimbaits for a good while and spending a lot of money on them then losing them , buying $20 crankbaits that float and are retrievable(after they seperate from your line) that are quality fish catchers in the right situations , it gets easier to justify the purchase .

[blckshirt98]

When I first started bass fishing I saw people talking about Huddleston's doing so well and saw they were $20-25 per bait and thought those people were the hardcore of hardcore bass fisherman.    Even Luckycrafts at $15 and up I thought were madness.  But with time I've fallen into the "most lures catch fisherman and not fish" and have gotten my fair share of expensive baits, though I'm always timid about throwing them being a shore guy.  Now I read up on what's working according to forum posts and tournament results, and also what has good action in the water by watching YouTube videos, and will usually buy it to try it at some point.

 

But really it comes down to lack of discipline.  Like I mentioned in another post a local pro on the FLW has caught almost all of his fish off of dirt cheap Zoom trick worms, and uses S-Wavers which is on the cheaper end of glidebaits, and he does just fine.

[Big C]

In Minnesota, there's no way that I'd get away with throwing an expensive bait. Too many pike, especially the little buggers, that'll cut your line without you feeling a thing.

It's funny you say that. On TW there is a review for the Roman made Mother Swimbait, which is a $439 swimbait. The guy says he throws it for muskie. Now I know you can use steel leader and everything, but come on that seems a little crazy to me.

[Master Bait'r]

It's a slippery slope, that's for sure.

I think my first expensive bait was a MB Pop-X.

Now I have a whole slew of 110s, deep-x's, knuckles and man... The glide baits now- let's just say between MB, Gan Craft and Deps I could probably have a sweet yak upgrade.

Where I've been concentrating my efforts lately though is hoarding certain JDM frogs. They're expensive but man do they work above and beyond... I don't care that they cost more. I have bought all of them I could find on fleabay and I'm eyeballing them on foreign sites for after I buy ski passes for the family. It just never stops.

[Master Bait'r]

It's funny you say that. On TW there is a review for the Roman made Mother Swimbait, which is a $439 swimbait. The guy says he throws it for muskie. Now I know you can use steel leader and everything, but come on that seems a little crazy to me.

Most Muskie guys use 100# flouro leaders, as metal is less durable than you'd think.

[MarkH024]

Most Muskie guys use 100# flouro leaders, as metal is less durable than you'd think.

I use fluoro leaders now almost always for musky. they don't kink, and they allow better action. I really would rather not use any leader but I might as well use my wallet as a lure at that point.