Zoom crankbaits

[BassHawg2293]

Recently I've started looking at Zoom crankbaits. I actually bought 2 on Ebay that were fairly "inexpensive" relatively speaking. (~25$)

 

My question is, just how the heck are some of these things going for $100 plus? I've researched and found little info on the various models and the differences. How can you even determine how old they are? I've noticed the Mutts are the most expensive 

 

I know they're niche baits and handcrafted, but with so little info available, how do you really even distinguish between them? Whether you are using them or collecting them?

[iabass8]

The owner, Ed Chambers, passed away recently and these baits are no longer being made. This and the fact that their flat out work are why they are going up in price. The date, for the most part, is etched on the bill /w his signature. The E-1 is one of my favorite baits to throw as well as the Mutt. There isn't a lot of info on what each specific bait weighs, dives, etc so you're betting off just asking what bait does what. The mutt, as of like 2 days ago, is going for 100+ because Swindle was on BassTalkLive talking about how great the bait is so that really sent the Mutt price through the roof...kind of. The E-1 and Mutt are going for, prior to that interview, around 60-70$ each. Sometimes a little less or more depending on color. Are they worth it? Depends. I've got enough Mutt's and E-1s that I don't have to worry about paying but they're worth it. The E-1 is an awesome bait but there's a couple people that make dead ringer replicas that sell them for the original E-1 price of 25$. 

[BassHawg2293]

1 minute ago, iabass8 said:

The owner, Ed Chambers, passed away recently and these baits are no longer being made. This and the fact that their flat out work are why they are going up in price. The date, for the most part, is etched on the bill /w his signature. The E-1 is one of my favorite baits to throw as well as the Mutt. There isn't a lot of info on what each specific bait weighs, dives, etc so you're betting off just asking what bait does what. The mutt, as of like 2 days ago, is going for 100+ because Swindle was on BassTalkLive talking about how great the bait is so that really sent the Mutt price through the roof...kind of. The E-1 and Mutt are going for, prior to that interview, around 60-70$ each. Sometimes a little less or more depending on color. 

 

Yes I realized Ed had died. I thought they have always been this expensive though, but interesting to note that's not entirely the case. 

 

I purchased a "Kllr 2" and a "Bad eye". They look really nice. My eyes aren't good enough to read the dates lol. I'm sure some of its color dependent but I've seen the same models I bought sell for over $20 more than I paid. 

I'm late to the show on these, but I'd like to snag a few more. I like the look of the Mutts. So far the "ugly ducks" "round Willie's" and ones like I bought seem to not be as bad on the bidding wars as some others.

 

Sorry I'm know I'm not being 100% clear on what im asking about them, they just seem unique and I'd like to learn whatever I can about them since there isn't abundant info out there that I've found. ( probably for good reason)

[iabass8]

1 minute ago, BassHawg2293 said:

 

Yes I realized Ed had died. I thought they have always been this expensive though, but interesting to note that's not entirely the case. 

 

I purchased a "Kllr 2" and a "Bad eye". They look really nice. My eyes aren't good enough to read the dates lol. I'm sure some of its color dependent but I've seen the same models I bought sell for over $20 more than I paid. 

I'm late to the show on these, but I'd like to snag a few more. I like the look of the Mutts. So far the "ugly ducks" "round Willie's" and ones like I bought seem to not be as bad on the bidding wars as some others.

 

Sorry I'm know I'm not being 100% clear on what im asking about them, they just seem unique and I'd like to learn whatever I can about them since there isn't abundant info out there that I've found. ( probably for good reason)

Relative to what they are now, they were cheap lol. 22-25$ was the average each WEC cost up until ED passed. Join the facebook group "Wood Bait Nation" and look around on there. People buy/trade/sell/showoff WEC and lots of other high end Balsa's. 

[BassHawg2293]

Just now, iabass8 said:

Relative to what they are now, they were cheap lol. 22-25$ was the average each WEC cost up until ED passed. Join the facebook group "Wood Bait Nation" and look around on there. People buy/trade/sell/showoff WEC and lots of other high end Balsa's. 

I'll be sure and look that up... as soon as i make another Facebook lol. But regardless thanks for the info... i wonder if we're currently in a price bubble that may eventually settle down lower... or if this is a case of get what you can while you can since no more are being made and the price is gonna continue rising. 

[iabass8]

6 minutes ago, BassHawg2293 said:

I'll be sure and look that up... as soon as i make another Facebook lol. But regardless thanks for the info... i wonder if we're currently in a price bubble that may eventually settle down lower... or if this is a case of get what you can while you can since no more are being made and the price is gonna continue rising. 

Simmons sporting goods in Alabama was pretty much the only distributor of WEC baits in the country. I've seen recent pictures of their current "stock" and there's thousands of baits left in the "Zoom Room". The prices are just reactionary...kind of like pre-rapala warts. Rare colors will always be expensive but there are SOOO many WEC crankbaits out there that these prices will inevitably go way down in the future. Plus..there's companies/individual builders that make spot on replias with the same action/weight/everything of the Mutt and E-1.

[BassHawg2293]

7 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

Simmons sporting goods in Alabama was pretty much the only distributor of WEC baits in the country. I've seen recent pictures of their current "stock" and there's thousands of baits left in the "Zoom Room". The prices are just reactionary...kind of like pre-rapala warts. Rare colors will always be expensive but there are SOOO many WEC crankbaits out there that these prices will inevitably go way down in the future. Plus..there's companies/individual builders that make spot on replias with the same action/weight/everything of the Mutt and E-1.

 

Yeah that's who I bought mine from. I definitely hope the prices are reactionary!

 

Any chance you wanna throw a dog a bone and name some of those companies or custom builders? Lol

[iabass8]

22 minutes ago, BassHawg2293 said:

 

Yeah that's who I bought mine from. I definitely hope the prices are reactionary!

 

Any chance you wanna throw a dog a bone and name some of those companies or custom builders? Lol

Rob Cochran makes some of the best. His company is "JawJacker". John Hott makes an excellent E-1. Bryan Barr of Barr Lure Co makes some a lot very good flat sides that I like as much as a Mutt. Super hard to get as they go fast. Catching Concept Lures is another. Hard to get though. Norm coultier (might have spelled his name wrong) , BJ Barron, Dbaits out of ohio to name a few. I think @Siebert Outdoorshas a balsa squarebill or at least he used to. You could PM him if you were interested. Site sponsor and makes the best jigs around. 

[BassHawg2293]

Just now, iabass8 said:

Rob Cochran makes some of the best. His company is "JawJacker". John Hott makes an excellent E-1. Bryan Barr of Barr Lure Co makes some a lot very good flat sides that I like as much as a Mutt. Super hard to get as they go fast. Catching Concept Lures is another. Hard to get though. Norm coultier (might have spelled his name wrong) , BJ Barron, Dbaits out of ohio to name a few. 

 

Thanks! I'm gonna check those out. The whole custom and niche crankbait thing is new to me.

 

I'm trying to evolve from being a stubborn worm fisherman. I've really gotten into cranking the last 2 years. Doing my best to learn all that I can 

[whitwolf]

21 hours ago, iabass8 said:

Rob Cochran makes some of the best. His company is "JawJacker". John Hott makes an excellent E-1. Bryan Barr of Barr Lure Co makes some a lot very good flat sides that I like as much as a Mutt. Super hard to get as they go fast. Catching Concept Lures is another. Hard to get though. Norm coultier (might have spelled his name wrong) , BJ Barron, Dbaits out of ohio to name a few. I think @Siebert Outdoorshas a balsa squarebill or at least he used to. You could PM him if you were interested. Site sponsor and makes the best jigs around. 

You are correct about @Siebert Outdoors, they are made by Marty Burns. He does great work and is also a member of Wood bait nation on facebook. He's also a member here.