Opinions of Livingston lures

[Primus]

I have no doubt that they will catch a few fish, that said I'm curious if the electronic chirping sounds have made a difference in the overall catch rate and if there are any noteworthy baits in their line-up that have performed well for you . I've dabbled with them a little but I was not overly impressed with the couple of baits that I tried, however I don't think I've put in enough time with their baits for a fair evaluation. 

[Bluebasser86]

I've tried several and haven't been impressed, especially for the price. Only one I've liked enough to keep is the Walking Boss Part II. Basically a long, jointed Jitterbug that chirps. I've done pretty well with it and the noise does seem to make a difference to fish staring at it while it's at rest.

[Primus]

That was the one I was thinking about trying, thanks for sharing your thoughts. 

[snake95]

Like a lot of guys, my inclination is to avoid them for two good reasons:  they are expensive (by my standards) and I despise gimmicks or gimmicky things.

 

However.

 

I found some at clearance prices at a couple of Walmarts and so I bought a few.  

 

I've had good success with the ProRipper, fishing it every which way: burning, yo-yo-ing, etc.  In classic TW review style, I even "caught a bass on my first cast" with one: chucked into a pocket among weeds and it got nailed as it fluttered down.  I then promptly got another burning it like mad across a shallow flat.  I've had more success letting it flutter on the fall near targets.  Is it the flutter, the shimmy, or the chirping?  Who knows.  All I can say that I have to give it credit - it worked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tander]

I have tried a few cranks but not really impressed. I think I will just stick to my Bandits.

[Team9nine]

I don't own a single one, if that gives you any idea of my opinion...

[MIbassyaker]

I don't doubt that, on occasion, the weird peeping and grunting "baitfish sounds" may generate a reaction strike you wouldn't have gotten without them.

 

But is it really any different than a rattle?  I can get rattling crankbaits and topwaters for much cheaper.

[Chance_Taker4]

I bought into the gimmick when Howell won the Classic on the DMC squarebill. I bought a handful of the DMC, Lipless and Wakebaits. Now I have sold off all but one DMC, Lipless and Wake but I am still trying to unload them. I'll stick with my Strike King and River2Sea.

[faygo1979]

I use one of the mid depth cranks that I like.  I do not know if the sound and lights help at all but I like the weight and action of it.  I own 3 of that bait but I don't really feel the need to buy any more of their hard baits.  I have pocked up their swimbaits and I like the design of those. their smaller 4 inch models remind me of the smaller Hud baits in their action.  like the weedless shad.

[the reel ess]

I'm reviving this old thread rather than starting another to say and ask the same things. When I fished with Capt. Shane in Florida, I started the day off with a Saltwater Super Spook with a dressed tail hook. First cast of the day I caught one and when it jumped another fish jumped with it, trying to get the bait. Good sign, huh? Well, fishing was good for about an hour. When the bite slowed, Shane handed me a different rod rigged with the Walking Boss. He said it emits a sound like live bait and sometimes they'll hit it dead sticking. The bite improved and I used it most of that day and the next. I caught most of my fish on that one bait both days. 

 

The package tells how to set the sound it emits. Default sounds like a cricket or frog. There's craw and shad as well as no sound. To those who have used Livingston baits, what sound did you get best results with? Thanks.

[GreenPig]

After living through the Helicopter & Flyer lures(gifted to me). I will not be fooled by gimmicks. I'm not above buying lures that look good to me and are known to producers. I own zero electronic baits and don't expect that to change.

[Mr. Aquarium]

I’ve used their spook and walking boss. I love the 8 inch walking boss. I’ve had great nights with them! 

[the reel ess]

17 hours ago, GreenPig said:

After living through the Helicopter & Flyer lures(gifted to me). I will not be fooled by gimmicks. I'm not above buying lures that look good to me and are known to producers. I own zero electronic baits and don't expect that to change.

I bought one off Amazon with a gift card, so no cost to me. It's a $17 bait. But to be honest, there are more expensive walking baits. If nothing else, it rattles. The standard Spook and Super Spook (larger size) don't. You can tell it's a very quality piece. Shake it and the rattles continue to bounce around a while. It has 3 settings for sounds and another for no sound. The first sound resembles a cricket or frog. Second sound is supposed to be a craw, but its more of a tapping noise. The third is a shad sound like the Hydrowave device makes. Either way, I slew the bass in FL with it. At the very minimum, it's the easiest walking bait I've ever used.

 

BTW, Roland Martin has a YouTube video catching big bass on the Helicopter lure.