Black Label Tackle

[Dick Lathbury]

Any input on the Black Label Tackle crankbaits

[iabass8]

They're okay. Good not great relative to other wood baits. 

[Jrob78]

8 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

They're okay. Good not great relative to other wood baits. 

What are your thoughts on PH Customs balsa baits? I have a handful but really haven't used them much.

[iabass8]

16 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

What are your thoughts on PH Customs balsa baits? I have a handful but really haven't used them much.

Lol well...if you get ones he actually tunes, they are great and worth the price. The problem seems to be over the past few years, his quality control is lacking. There's been quite a few reports on some FB groups of crooked bills, hook spacing not the same across the same bait, baits different sizes/weights etc. Balsa is obviously different from bait to bait but these are things that can be controlled that aren't. I've got a couple old lil hunters that are dynamite and hunt as well as E-1's but I've also had a few different models that would just run sideways and had glaring faults I just sold them. I did just order a couple of his new "lil guys" that are a little slimmer than a WEC Mutt that I'm pretty excited about if they are done correctly. Couple guys told me he put a lot of time into this one so I'll give it a shot. Zoom's are still top notch for me but John Hott, Barron, Barr, Jawjacker, and Norm all do as good if not better work. 

[Jrob78]

4 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

Lol well...if you get ones he actually tunes, they are great and worth the price. The problem seems to be over the past few years, his quality control is lacking. There's been quite a few reports on some FB groups of crooked bills, hook spacing not the same across the same bait, baits different sizes/weights etc. Balsa is obviously different from bait to bait but these are things that can be controlled that aren't. I've got a couple old lil hunters that are dynamite and hunt as well as E-1's but I've also had a few different models that would just run sideways and had glaring faults I just sold them. I did just order a couple of his new "lil guys" that are a little slimmer than a WEC Mutt that I'm pretty excited about if they are done correctly. Couple guys told me he put a lot of time into this one so I'll give it a shot. Zoom's are still top notch for me but John Hott, Barron, Barr, Jawjacker, and Norm all do as good if not better work. 

I've got a few Huntin P's, Lil Hunters and Fudds. I need to take them out to the pool and see how they run. It makes me a little hesitant that they are so widely available, it seems like the really good balsa baits are usually hard to come by. I have so much confidence in WECs that I don't fish some of the other balsa baits I have very much. Thanks for the input.

[iabass8]

3 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

I've got a few Huntin P's, Lil Hunters and Fudds. I need to take them out to the pool and see how they run. It makes me a little hesitant that they are so widely available, it seems like the really good balsa baits are usually hard to come by. I have so much confidence in WECs that I don't fish some of the other balsa baits I have very much. Thanks for the input.

anything for you sailor. ?

[Bluebasser86]

Haven't tried Black Label Tackle, but Black Market Balsa baits are great, although they're pretty spendy. You can fish their squarebills in places you'd fish a spinnerbait without hanging up, at least I can with mine.