Underrated lures / companies? Are we paying for names?

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, papajoe222 said:

where can I find one of them A-Jay baits? I bet they are a killer on smallies.

I don't have any left ~ This dude stole them all . . . 

Anyone know where I could find him ?

A-Jay

 

[Mobasser]

A marabou jig, in various sizes, has become a generic, no name bait over the years, but catches scores of fish for people all across the country. You'll see them hanging in tackle shops, where they've hung for years. Another cheap no-name bait that catches fish very well

[primetime]

Lures From Bomber, Cordell, all the Pradco lures are good, however, the baits have changed over the years. Lures like the Red Fin, Bomber Long A, Bomber Model A cranks, Heddon Torpedo, SPit n image and more are just as good as always. If you can find the older versions of say the Rebel Popper, they have a different sound, the Long A was once an XCalibur lure and was heavier with molded eyes, screw tail, and the new ones are good, but the older versions of most lures are better (At least I have confidence in them, but nothing wrong with the Pradco lures today.

 

Keep in mind...The cordell cranks and lipless cranks at walmart, bomber lures etc. are not always the same ones you would find on Tackle warehouse. The $1 Cordell crankbait looks like the Big O but is not, that bait bonanza is a budget version but they will catch fish I am sure.

 

I found a bunch of spooks at walmart for a dollar, super spooks, they look the same, fish the same, just came with crappy silver hooks that was different and packaging was different as well. Not sure why Walmart gets different versions at times. A new Bomber long A is usually $7, I notice the ones for a buck are often different. The $3 Cordell Super spots at Walmart are the same as the ones you buy anywhere, and they catch fish. I find the spots and traps both work equally as well.

 

If I had to only throw one large Wake bait for rest of my life, I would choose the Red Fin over any other, and I have a box full of nice ones from Tackle warehouse that were expensive. They flat out work the best imo, there is a reason Saltwater Striper Surf Casters throw the Red Fin more than any other hard bait to this day. It also imitates a shiner perfectly.

[fishtar]

jig head with maribou, bucktail or any number of rubber baits or skirts are cheap and very versatile.Lots of bass have been caught on these low cost relatively easy to fish lures.

[Jaderose]

H&H Spinnerbaits.  I bought a whole bunch of them a few years back for right around a buck a piece off ebay.  I throw other sb's but most of the time it's a good ol' single colorado blade H&H.  They work well and who cares if you lose one.  You get the added bonus of always, and I mean ALWAYS, putting the hook on wrong.  I've had dozens of them and I bet I haven't put the hook on right 5 times...lol.

 

[MAN]

If the fisherman ever figures out that fish don't keep up with the newest lure colors, lure trends etc etc...I will be out a job.  Please keep on buying the latest and greatest because that will be the only way you will catch the big one! ? 

[the reel ess]

On 2/16/2019 at 11:27 AM, Russ E said:

Cotton Cordell lipless cranks are a low cost gem. They have a unique sound and action. 

Most of the time I throw a ratl trap or redeye shad, but on occasion the cotton Cordell is what the fish want.

This was going to be my answer. The CC Super Spot is the best lipless where I fish. Soft plastics is a good way to keep it cheap. Zoom and Berkley have me covered on most plastics. A jig is a very cheap bait that catches big bass. Get a wire tied one and it might last you a season or more. Maybe the all-time underrated lure is the Rooster Tail.

 

I find Big Bite stick baits to be a more durable alternative to the Senko, so it's cheaper. If you're one of those guys that doesn't buy into colors, there are almost always some oddball colors on clearance at the local Academy.

 

I used to buy off the bottom shelf at WalMart when i was a broke newly-married guy. Now the most expensive lure I own is the SPRO Rat. Most people have an upper limit pain threshold for baits. If I have a hard time justifying a bait purchase, I usually won't make it. Or I could go to Dick's in the winter time and buy the ducks, beetles and bats off their clearance rack while they start pushing the next season's fad.

[Drew03cmc]

Big Bite Trick Sticks are great, as are the BPS Stik-O. I've caught fish on a Super Spot and on Red Eye Shad as well as a Vibration-X Jr. Honestly, they all do the same things. The hooks and paint was nicer on the MB, but they all work.

[MIbassyaker]

Heddon Torpedo & Tiny Torpedo (or propbaits in general, which are an entire underrated category of lures)

All the bomber "A" series: 2A, 4A, Square A, Long A, Flat A

Rebel crawfish

Charlie Brewer Sliders

Mister Twister worms, grubs, and lizards

CLU Zero Gravity Jig

 

 

[billmac]

I've always wondered by Rebel lures weren't more popular.  I always considered them the affordable alternative to Rapalas (not so much now).

 

I always loved the jointed rapalas and rebels.  I had confidence with them and caught a lot of fish with them, but they don't seem to be as popular as their un-jointed brethren.

[mheichelbech]

I think you have to fish a specific lure quite a bit to tell a difference.  For example, I fish baby minus ones a lot.  I can tell which ones run like they should.  I like to say the minus one is a $18 lite because you have to buy 3 to get one that works right.  However, the one that works right is worth $18 to me (actually more as they have won me several thousand).  On the other hand, almost all LC, KVD, etc. squarebills run right.  

 

What I have seen is, that for cheap lures it’s a crap shoot on whether the bait will operate how it is supposed to.  There is a lot of inconsistency in manufacturing and they don’t have the durability of the more expensive versions.  

[scaleface]

23 hours ago, Jaderose said:

H&H Spinnerbaits.  I bought a whole bunch of them a few years back for right around a buck a piece off ebay.  I throw other sb's but most of the time it's a good ol' single colorado blade H&H.  They work well and who cares if you lose one.  You get the added bonus of always, and I mean ALWAYS, putting the hook on wrong.  I've had dozens of them and I bet I haven't put the hook on right 5 times...lol.

 

I tend to overlook this lure but it has caught a lot of bass for me . I like to use it on rip rap banks on the Mississippi river . I stand on the rocks cast up-stream and bring it back slightly faster than the current .  Then cast it out in deeper water , still up-stream let it touch bottom  , pop it off bottom and reel retrieve it right off the bottom . I have caught a lot of species doing that . I'll lose a few but they are cheap .

[Log Catcher]

2 hours ago, billmac said:

I've always wondered by Rebel lures weren't more popular.  I always considered them the affordable alternative to Rapalas (not so much now).

 

I always loved the jointed rapalas and rebels.  I had confidence with them and caught a lot of fish with them, but they don't seem to be as popular as their un-jointed brethren.

Rebel made some of the best crank baits out thereat  the time. Then Pradco bought them out and let them go downhill. Once they got rid of all the good colors they were not worth buying.

[scaleface]

3 minutes ago, Log Catcher said:

Rebel made some of the best crank baits out thereat  the time. Then Pradco bought them out and let them go downhill. Once they got rid of all the good colors they were not worth buying.

Deep Wee R is a fish getter . The one fault is the hook hangers are to close allowing the hooks to tangle .I would like to see the DWR brought back with a better placement of hooks . 

[Log Catcher]

1 minute ago, scaleface said:

Deep Wee R is a fish getter . The one fault is the hook hangers are to close allowing the hooks to tangle .I would like to see the DWR brought back with a better placement of hooks . 

The Deep Wee R was my favorite. You are right about the hooks. I don't remember any short shank hooks being available back then.

[GReb]

H&H has caught many bass and big ones too. My dad caught a 9 pounder on one when I was a kid. I have a slew of them because it’s my wife’s go to bait and she tends to catch everything in the lake, fish or not