Expensive Lures - Selection

[Big C]

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.

I know it would be difficult to lose one, but what about teeth marks?

[MarkH024]

Teeth marks on what?

[J Francho]

Teeth marks are how you which are the "good baits."

[MarkH024]

Teeth marks are how you which are the "good baits."

agreed

[SirSnookalot]

If any one has fished for Kingfish, you would understand what a toothy critter is.  You won't have many lures with teeth marks because of the cut offs.  They are considered one of the most line shy fish, wire is seldom used for them.  Most of what I see is 40-60# mono leaders.

Their little bros., Spanish mackerel have the same kind of toothy mouth, but are a smaller fish, the most prolific way to catch them is a small spoon or crappie jig, on a rattling bobber with about 20# f/c leader.  Lures become history real quick because of the cut offs...............I don't fish for them too often.

[CrazyFluker]

I do have a few Megabass Pop Max. I wouldn't buy their divers but feel top water is safer. I have caught a lot of fish on the pop max so will keep buying them. The hooks are really sweet, it casts nicely and I love the action, it walks nice, has a cool steady retrieve that allows the body to fill up with air and makes a burping type thing releasing the air, as well as makes a good pop. 

 

And I got a Bass Pro gift card for Xmas so bought two of the Jackall Girons. After using a couple times bought a lure retriever to ensure I have the best chance of keeping them. So far the lure retriever has saved a lot of money.

[bassarmy7]

If any one has fished for Kingfish, you would understand what a toothy critter is. You won't have many lures with teeth marks because of the cut offs. They are considered one of the most line shy fish, wire is seldom used for them. Most of what I see is 40-60# mono leaders.

Their little bros., Spanish mackerel have the same kind of toothy mouth, but are a smaller fish, the most prolific way to catch them is a small spoon or crappie jig, on a rattling bobber with about 20# f/c leader. Lures become history real quick because of the cut offs...............I don't fish for them too often.

Ehh back home in the panhandle of florida we use 30# jerry brown braid and a 40-60# steel leader with a dead cigar minnow on the end. Never had one that was "line shy". As for spanish, a Gotcha lure slays em when they are runnin

[Master Bait'r]

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

 

 

 

Lol.  And that my friend...  Is called "transcribing your thought process to someone else just living their own personal dream"

 

 

I don't make fun of others for throwing whatever it is that they want to throw, but I do love how some people just think that because people might like buying, having and using nice gear that they're somehow stupid, less of a fisherman or whatever else they'd like to infer- usually to make themselves feel good that they aren't so stupid, don't "need" an expensive lure to catch fish etc. etc. etc....  But it's flawed logic and it's a sad projection.  What it is about an expensive lure someone else wants or has that makes some instantly defensive I'll never understand.    

 

 

I like having nice things and I work really hard to earn them.  Whether it's handmade skis, high end fishing gear, really good shop tools or maybe some sweet A/V electronics at home.  I don't worry about what other people are doing or how they feel about my choices because the money for their choices doesn't come out of my pocket.  Transcribing my own school of thought to someone else has never made sense to me, and I understand that's exactly why there is more than one flavor of ice cream, many kinds of cars and infinite options for fishing...  No two men are the same and whether the lure caught the fisherman or the fish, if the end result is a smile of satisfaction on that fisherman's face, then it was worth every penny and then some.  I don't care if he even throws the darn thing- it he just wants to hang a Roman Made on his wall good for him.  Rock on IMO.      

[J Francho]

It's a fear based reaction. They are afraid they aren't good enough. Better to put someone down than carry on about your own business. It's basic human instinct to declare yourself better than the rest. It's how we get the girl, lol.

[Preytorien]

Had to share this.....went out a couple nights ago went bank fishing at a small pond by my house and was doing really well with a Duo Realis Spinbait 80 G-Fix....one of the more expensive lures I've bought in the past year. 

 

Got it snagged on a particularly resilient little laydown about 10 feet offshore. I wasn't going to let that ruin my day....I stripped down to just my shorts, kicked off my shoes, went for a swim and brought that baby back. 

 

Anyone else ever do this? 

[Preytorien]

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.

 

I have to say John I've never thought of it that way, and it makes sense. I've shelled out FAR more this past year for flukes and senkos than any other bait. Add those, the hooks, and weights, and that's a pricey little system to just lose the lure after a couple of fish. 

 

Might just use this logic in my next "But honey I NEED that Megabass lure!" arguement....  

[roadwarrior]

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.

 

 

No doubt, soft plastics represent the biggest investment and highest "lost lure" category. 

[buzzed bait]

Had to share this.....went out a couple nights ago went bank fishing at a small pond by my house and was doing really well with a Duo Realis Spinbait 80 G-Fix....one of the more expensive lures I've bought in the past year. 

 

Got it snagged on a particularly resilient little laydown about 10 feet offshore. I wasn't going to let that ruin my day....I stripped down to just my shorts, kicked off my shoes, went for a swim and brought that baby back. 

 

Anyone else ever do this? 

 

snagged my megabass giant dog x the other night on a log about 40' out from the bank and the line broke off.  i spent a while trying to snag it with another lure and gave up.....   only to try again a little while later and finally hook up with it and pulled it off the log all the way to my feet!!  made me more excited than the two fish i had caught on the thing earlier in the evening!!

[SirSnookalot]

Fishing a lure away from trouble may curtail the effectiveneess of that particular lure,not much sense in owning it,if afraid to use. I've walked in the water many times to get a $3.00 lure, because it catches lots of fish. I'm not familiar with most lures used today, Walmart don't carry them.

[Preytorien]

The best scenario is like i found tonight. Went to the local Cabela's that opened a week ago.

 

Lucky Craft lures, boxes and boxes of them in a sale bin....$5.99 each.

 

Needless to say I was stoked! 

[hatrix]

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.

I am sure a mother really does kill it no matter how crazy it might seem to you or I. It might seem ridiculous at how expensive they are but it wouldn't be that crazy if you had tons of money. If I had millions I would throw them for musky too. Really $400 is nothing in the end.

[Heron]

Lol.  And that my friend...  Is called "transcribing your thought process to someone else just living their own personal dream"

 

 

I don't make fun of others for throwing whatever it is that they want to throw, but I do love how some people just think that because people might like buying, having and using nice gear that they're somehow stupid, less of a fisherman or whatever else they'd like to infer- usually to make themselves feel good that they aren't so stupid, don't "need" an expensive lure to catch fish etc. etc. etc....  But it's flawed logic and it's a sad projection.  What it is about an expensive lure someone else wants or has that makes some instantly defensive I'll never understand.    

 

 

I like having nice things and I work really hard to earn them.  Whether it's handmade skis, high end fishing gear, really good shop tools or maybe some sweet A/V electronics at home.  I don't worry about what other people are doing or how they feel about my choices because the money for their choices doesn't come out of my pocket.  Transcribing my own school of thought to someone else has never made sense to me, and I understand that's exactly why there is more than one flavor of ice cream, many kinds of cars and infinite options for fishing...  No two men are the same and whether the lure caught the fisherman or the fish, if the end result is a smile of satisfaction on that fisherman's face, then it was worth every penny and then some.  I don't care if he even throws the darn thing- it he just wants to hang a Roman Made on his wall good for him.  Rock on IMO.      

 

Hah, well.....I learned about "catching fisherman" from these forums.  

 

Sorry you felt so compelled to write such a needlessly long dissertation about this.  Do I sense guilt? Perhaps.   Because you completely misprojected my use of the phrase in the context that it was used.  

 

Looking back at the post that I responded to, you may notice that the context was very specifically about how the certain qualities and appearances of the bait itself, will lead to more purchases.  Well, this is exactly the very definition of "catching fisherman."   Which is, nothing more than purchasing baits primarily based on how they appeal to us (regardless of price), more so than how they appeal to the fish.

 

But, instead you have read it to be a criticism about the buying of high end fishing gear.  Well done.  My comment would've been no different if the bait in question was a cheap $3 specimen.  

 

So whats up?  Who're the ones that are always giving you a lot of crap for your spending?  Wife, parents, siblings?

[J Francho]

I don't think a $400 lure is really relevant to the discussion. I most often notice that $10 as the sticker shock line. I remember buying Rebel cranks for $3 back in the 80s. It seemed expensive, since Acme spoons were less than a buck. I bet that's around $10 or more in today's money. Bust out your parachute pants, crank up the Buggles, and fish your baits - whatever you paid for them.

[SirSnookalot]

What does the dollar buy today compared to 1980.  That $3.00 lure of 1980 may be around 10 bucks today, look at wages now compared to 1980.  Certain items can't be calculated using CPI, tobacco and gas because of taxes, state and federal.  Last US gas tax hike in 1993, not the same for state and local.

 

Foreign items have tax and tariffs added in also, not a bad guess the $ 3.00 item of 1980 may have been better quality than something costing more dollars today.  

[Big C]

I don't think a $400 lure is really relevant to the discussion.

 

 

It's true, I was just saying I wouldn't trust those toothy beasts with a $400 lure. 

 

 

On a different note I have learned you get what you pay for when it comes to fishing equipment. 

[ww2farmer]

Expensive is relative.............to some people a $12 lure is cheap, to some it is not. At the end of the day, fish with what you like, and can afford, be happy with it, and don't crap on someone who either can afford or has more expensive stuff or vice versa, cheaper stuff. I'll always bang the drum for bass fishing on a budget because I am saddled with a budget myself, but if I had unlimited funds, you can bet your rear end the stuff in my arsenal would be top shelf, but for now, I do the best I can with what I have to work with, and I am pretty happy with my stuff and the end results.

[EvanT123]

I always wonder if I would have caught that fish on a different lure doesn't matter it was 30 cents or 30 dollars. At the end of the day I'm glad I caught that fish. Once it's in my hand the price is irrelevant.

[SirSnookalot]

I always wonder if I would have caught that fish on a different lure doesn't matter it was 30 cents or 30 dollars. At the end of the day I'm glad I caught that fish. Once it's in my hand the price is irrelevant.

I agree, one of my favorite lures does only cost $3.00, 1 senko or jig alone isn't costly.   Personally, I would not spend 20 bucks or more for a  5# fish, no bang for my buck.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

There's a mother in a musky's mouth. Lol

[slimshad]

threw a $25 Megabass jerkbait and got 5 bass and made $250 in my club tourny yesterday.  Could a $5 jerkbait do that, probably but I chose to use the Megabass and I think the added confidence helps a great deal.