Super User Scott F Posted October 28, 2017 Super User Posted October 28, 2017 I’m glad to see you and your friend like to fish. Are there very many of your classmates who also like to fish as much as you do? Obviously, anyone who frequents Bass Resource is not among the group of people who would rather be spending time doing something else.
Stephen B Posted October 28, 2017 Posted October 28, 2017 Although you don't have to pay more. What sets Megabass, Spro, Jackall, and Lucky Craft from the others. Is the quality of the hooks, quality of the split rings, and the quality of craftsmanship. I have never once had to tune a Spro, Megabass, Jackall, or Lucky Craft. For example. Rapala DT series crankbaits are notorious for having fragile bills on the crankbaits and also need tuning occasionally out of the box. The Rapala lures use VMC hooks which are not the best of quality, whereas Spro is using Gamakatsu hooks. When you hook into a 6+ lber, I can almost guarantee those VMC hooks will bend/break. I recommend buying a lure retriever especially if you are fishing $10+ baits.
Super User Deleted account Posted October 29, 2017 Super User Posted October 29, 2017 On 10/28/2017 at 11:48 AM, pondbassin101 said: but why should I have to pay $15 for a single lure. Because you are a member of humanity, and what applies to everyone applies to you. There is no should in the equation. It will be covered in economics, sociology, ethics, statistics, psychology (as well as other areas not as obvious) in college. Stay in school (or learn HVAC)... 1
pondbassin101 Posted October 30, 2017 Posted October 30, 2017 5 hours ago, reason said: Because you are a member of humanity, and what applies to everyone applies to you. There is no should in the equation. It will be covered in economics, sociology, ethics, statistics, psychology (as well as other areas not as obvious) in college. Stay in school (or learn HVAC)... I understand that concept. I guess I kind of worded it wrong, everyone pays the same $15, just for some people that's more affordable then for others. Nobody realistically should or has to, its their choice to pay whatever they pay.
ohboyitsrobby Posted October 30, 2017 Posted October 30, 2017 I don't have a lure one that cost over $7-8. I also don't have problems catching fish. I shop very smart or at least feel like I do lol. Will a $15 crankbait help you catch more fish? Possibly. But is it worth it on an individual's budget? Only that person knows. It's not to me.
Super User bigbill Posted October 30, 2017 Author Super User Posted October 30, 2017 I see lures for $19 , $25 it kills me. When the caustiac 9” rainbow trout lures came out they were $30. When the hype died down I found them for $9 each.
Super User Cgolf Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 Yes lures are overpriced and I remember when it started. I remember pre Lucky a Craft baits when a Rapala and other baits went for a reasonable price. Then when boom a group of better off than the average joe started buying these lures up like candy, Rapala and other companies raised their prices to cash in. As as a mid to lower budget basser this was a tough pill to swallow. I have worked around it by shopping sales like the TW Black Friday sale, but that isn't an option for some people, especially kids. There are certain baits I really like, but will only buy if they are on sale.
Chance_Taker4 Posted October 30, 2017 Posted October 30, 2017 I remember when the Senko hit the market most people complain that the price was too high. Now I go on TW and see plastics selling for $10-$14!?! That is absurd. I never used the Lucky Craft RC2 because the price was too high when the SK KVD were just as good. I think and it goes for all retail the motto "You get what you pay for" has ruined retail. Going off that motto companies will raise prices because consumers think that $14 pack of plastics must be better than a $3 pack because it costs more. I also think the popularity (I don't know why) of JDM products in this industry has caused some of this.
RPreeb Posted October 30, 2017 Posted October 30, 2017 If the only way to catch bass was with $20 lures, I'd find something else to do. While it may mean that I miss out on some opportunities, I'll never pay that much for a single lure. It just isn't necessary. If we all took that tack, the prices would have to come down or those offering at those prices would not be in business very long. I'm not saying that this is the thing to do for anyone else, only that it's MY thing. I'm happy catching a few bass on my $2 sale bin cranks.
david in va Posted October 30, 2017 Posted October 30, 2017 I thought the old pole Kat was overpriced at 85 cents [ about 55 years ago ] 1
Dorado Posted October 30, 2017 Posted October 30, 2017 I think the trend here in the bass fishing tackle world is somewhat similar to fashion in the clothing industry. Sure, a shirt is a shirt and achieves the core purpose of doing 'xx'. However, a "designer" tackle brand (picking on Japanese manufacturers here) gives the consumer a higher perceived value. This is extremely subjective to the eye of the beholder, kind of like art, wine, music, other pleasures. Social Media might have an influence to this trend we are all seeing. Just my crazy theory: Example, consumer A - I just caught a nice bass off a boring 98 cent grub and don't want to brag about how I caught it on Instagram. However, consumer A might boast to the entire world on social media how he caught a nice bass off a $440 Roman Made Mother Swimbait (For the record, I don't have one - it's called having two small children) !!!! So, ponder this, aren't certain lures trendy though out age? Trends fade, new ones constantly emerging. Famous tourney angler wins and the sheep follow? Conversely, famous movie star supports a brand and the sheep also follow? Is there a certain elitism that some anglers feel for only using premium gear? You can use the Orvis fly fishermen too in this category Isn't there some envy caused when someone shows off an encyclopedia worthy tacklebox? How about collecting every color of lure x for some people too? Sure sounds to me that some of us 'wear' our tackle more than fishing the basics. We all have different styles <--------------(see what I did there?) To conclude, just do you and have fun! Don't get all caught up in all the noise and feel pressured to dress alike. Last thing, spoiler alert, I express these thoughts because I'm guilty of just about everything I just mentioned and am honest about it. I enjoy the sub-hobbies that all flow into fishing, in general, and that includes an insatiable appetite towards buying nice fishing stuff; albeit, at prices sometimes I can't even justify. But I like it and proud to call it a healthy vice................
Super User J Francho Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 A Lucky Craft crankbait usually goes retail for $17. That same lure would have been $7.75 in 1985. I remember cranks - good cranks - going for around $5 at that time. Thing is, the LC are made with more modern technology, they are more consistent in action, and most importantly they work at catching. So, they aren't that much more than the typical lure. Yes, there are $25 lures, but those are usually larger topwaters or very touchy to design suspending jerk/rip/slash baits. As always, there's a bit of you get what you pay for, though you can often find lower cost items that work similarly out of the box, or with a bit of fine tuning. It's always been that way. We've been looking at some lower priced options from some of sponsors, and found decent tackle like from KastKing, Norman, Bandit, etc. 1
Super User NYWayfarer Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 10 minutes ago, J Francho said: A Lucky Craft crankbait usually goes retail for $17. That same lure would have been $7.75 in 1985. I remember cranks - good cranks - going for around $5 at that time. I still have some crankbaits from the early 90's that cost me $5 apiece. I can still catch fish on them all I had to do was replace the treble hooks. 1990's crankbait for $5 still going strong. I don't have any soft plastics that lasted that long. I keep buying senko's, dingers, etc. That's the true cost of lures right there. 1
Super User J Francho Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 4 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said: That's the true cost of lures right there. No doubt. I preferred hard baits as a kid because I could catch hundreds of fish on one. 1
Super User Choporoz Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 I don't know guys...seems there has always been a 'range' of prices for baits. I have a couple of lures still in boxes from my father and grandfather that, when adjusted for inflation, blow away LC stuff. Creek chubs, Bass O' Reno's, even jitterbugs...$5, $6, $7...for lures bought in the 60's and 70's....makes me laugh to wonder if my grandmother and mother knew what they cost....lol A Pikie Minnow cost 1.20 in 1945. I assume that's gottta be a lot more than a Rapala @ today's prices.
Super User Cgolf Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 37 minutes ago, J Francho said: A Lucky Craft crankbait usually goes retail for $17. That same lure would have been $7.75 in 1985. I remember cranks - good cranks - going for around $5 at that time. Thing is, the LC are made with more modern technology, they are more consistent in action, and most importantly they work at catching. So, they aren't that much more than the typical lure. Yes, there are $25 lures, but those are usually larger topwaters or very touchy to design suspending jerk/rip/slash baits. As always, there's a bit of you get what you pay for, though you can often find lower cost items that work similarly out of the box, or with a bit of fine tuning. It's always been that way. We've been looking at some lower priced options from some of sponsors, and found decent tackle like from KastKing, Norman, Bandit, etc. I definitely think there was a time period though where the likes of Rapala and others raised their prices or the shops raised their prices on them, once they realized people would pay that price. I couldn't tell you the year and haven't saved catalogs, but it was noticeable. I still have a hard time justifying the cost of Rage plastics, but will by them when sites have their 15-20% off sales. There are still some awesome cheaper baits out there, we just have to look harder (RES and Bandit 100 come to mind as fish catchers). I am trying the Dou Spybait next year after the Arishi spin worked really well for me. Wanted to see if there was a difference between the two. Fully expect the Dou to fill the boat with twice as many fish for the cost;).
Super User J Francho Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 5 minutes ago, cgolf said: Fully expect the Dou to fill the boat with twice as many fish for the cost;). Yeah, probably not. Though if you lose it for some reason, you can be assured you can get an exact copy that is tuned properly and acts the same as the lost one. That's where I'll pay more, rather than to go through $20 in lower priced baits to find the one "swimmer." Cough - cough Rapala!
Super User Choporoz Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 http://www.antiquefishinglures.com/chub.htm $2.50 in 1967 adjusted for inflation would make these around $18 today. And, IIRC, the retail sticker was nearly always higher than advertised prices. 1
Super User J Francho Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 21 minutes ago, Choporoz said: $2.50 in 1967 adjusted for inflation would make these around $18 today. Whopper Plopper territory. The Creek Chub wasn't a little bait, though. Topwaters almost always get a premium.
Super User Munkin Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 It all depends on your personal situation if the more expensive lures are worth the money. With the help of the GI Bill I put myself through graduate school so I can afford them. Now my problem is finding time to use them. With the two lure retrievers I carry I lose less than one hardbait a year. Gas is the biggest expense for me followed by highend plastics. Most of the MB and LC hardbaits I throw are 10 years old or more . Allen
Super User whitwolf Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 This topic comes up from time to time and there's one thing I notice more times than not. There are folks that will not pay what they think Is too much and there are folks that don't care about price. I have always been of the opinion If you want a $25.00 bait and have the means then buy it. What others buy or don't buy doesn't affect me at all. If you put In the time you can find many of the high dollar baits on sale. If you have to buy wisely and Inexpensively you can do that too. In the end If you have confidence In a bait, whether It's high dollar or Inexpensive, then you have won half the battle. I'm like many folks In that I want a deal but If I have a high amount of confidence In a particular bait that goes North of $20.00 I will buy it. I'm sure there are folks out there that think a high dollar bait will out fish a bargain bait and In some cases that might be true but the fisherman I know well couldn't care less what others are throwing and not a soul on this site should ever care what others think of their equipment, PERIOD. If you are having fun, catching fish, and staying within your budget, then you are a rich man already. 3
Super User bowhunter63 Posted October 30, 2017 Super User Posted October 30, 2017 Well I have been hooked on bassin for along time.Hit up sales closeouts ect.Rage Tail and Zoom are great baits for the price.Gotta shop around for the best deals.War Eagle Spinnerbaits are still worth 6 bucks.
evilcatfish Posted October 30, 2017 Posted October 30, 2017 They are fishing lures, not taxes, so nobody is being forced to pay for them. Don't want to spend $20 on a Megabass bait? That's fine, there are many more economical options, and they catch fish. If you go the cheaper route, don't knock the high end stuff just because you think its too expensive. On the other hand, if you buy a lot of higher end baits don't hate on the less expensive options. 1
MittenMouth Posted October 31, 2017 Posted October 31, 2017 I don’t think anyone is forcing you to buy expensive baits or gear. You are more than welcome to turn up rocks for worms or you can buy a $30 lure. Do what you are comfortable with given your own means. This goes for all ages, employed or not. The important part with fishing is to enjoy what you are doing, no matter how you choose to do it. 2
zeth Posted November 2, 2017 Posted November 2, 2017 I think a lot of the old standbys can still be had for dirt cheap at any tackle store in the bargain bin, or for a good price off the rack. You get what you pay for. Sometimes. I too hate paying over $10 for a lure especially since I always buy 2 of every hardbait and 4 of every jig etc and typically order from japan, ebay etc where lures are premium priced.
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