Amazon Tackle

[JoeDeal55]

Does anyone have any experience with some of these "highly rated" tackle/lure companies on Amazon? Truscend, Plusinno, Runcl etc. They have great ratings on Amazon but I figure half of the reviews are bought and paid for. I occasionally get free amazon credits and would like to broaden my tackle supply. Considering my financial status I primarily have to wait for big sales or just wait in general to save up for fishing gear. If anyone has any experience with these companies please share. I know its free credits, but still, I dont want to waste them on garbage.

[MN Fisher]

The only two of the 'sub-brands' that are on Amazon that I'll order from are Harmony and Reaction - good items, good prices...American Companies

Harmony is out of Philadelphia, PA

Reaction is out of Big Bend, WI

[JoeDeal55]

25 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

The only two of the 'sub-brands' that are on Amazon that I'll order from are Harmony and Reaction - good items, good prices...American Companies

Harmony is out of Philadelphia, PA

Reaction is out of Big Bend, WI

Reaction Tackle? 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, JoeDeal55 said:

Reaction Tackle? 

Yep...dat's dem.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

You can get good tackle brands on Amazon.  I get stuff like single replacement Owner hooks and split rings from them all the time because shipping is fast and free.  The prices can really vary and you have to have a decent knowledge of what your buying as the descriptions aren't always accurate. 

[schplurg]

Plusinno sent me free stuff and expected 5-star reviews. When they didn't get them from me they were not happy and I told them to get lost. I made a long thread about this a couple years ago. Other companies tried the same thing with me. Do not trust Amazon reviews at face value.

 

If anything I sort the reviews by "newest first" because usually the companies want a lot of 5 star reviews when the product is first released. That's when they recruit reviewers.

 

You see the Amazon reviews with a lot of photos and even videos for some cheapie product? Those are usually phonies. They ask you to include photos. Who would take 9 photos of a $12 dollar set of hooks and swivels? Someone getting free stuff, that's who.

 

With prudence you can sort through the BS on Amazon, but just know these paid reviews happen a lot, and they appear to be, and are labeled as, "Verified Amazon Purchase" or whatever. They PayPal you the money, you buy the product then review it, so yes you "paid" for it.

 

The fishing gear is full of such companies. I would avoid Amazon unless you know the product you are buying. Do not "shop" or browse there, my advice.

 

Edit to add:

Almost forgot, these same companies have review websites that look legit, but they always list their own crappy brands in their top tens. You can sometimes tell by the poor translation from another language, or just by the products they recommend.

 

If you Google "best reels" and a website offers Piscifun, Sougyaling and whatever crazy sounding brands as the number one reels, you know you found such a site. 

 

Some of these companies offer "okay" bargain gear but their business practices are shady. I can find good deals on brands I recognize elsewhere.

[JoeDeal55]

5 hours ago, schplurg said:

Plusinno sent me free stuff and expected 5-star reviews. When they didn't get them from me they were not happy and I told them to get lost. I made a long thread about this a couple years ago. Other companies tried the same thing with me. Do not trust Amazon reviews at face value.

 

If anything I sort the reviews by "newest first" because usually the companies want a lot of 5 star reviews when the product is first released. That's when they recruit reviewers.

 

You see the Amazon reviews with a lot of photos and even videos for some cheapie product? Those are usually phonies. They ask you to include photos. Who would take 9 photos of a $12 dollar set of hooks and swivels? Someone getting free stuff, that's who.

 

With prudence you can sort through the BS on Amazon, but just know these paid reviews happen a lot, and they appear to be, and are labeled as, "Verified Amazon Purchase" or whatever. They PayPal you the money, you buy the product then review it, so yes you "paid" for it.

 

The fishing gear is full of such companies. I would avoid Amazon unless you know the product you are buying. Do not "shop" or browse there, my advice.

 

Edit to add:

Almost forgot, these same companies have review websites that look legit, but they always list their own crappy brands in their top tens. You can sometimes tell by the poor translation from another language, or just by the products they recommend.

 

If you Google "best reels" and a website offers Piscifun, Sougyaling and whatever crazy sounding brands as the number one reels, you know you found such a site. 

 

Some of these companies offer "okay" bargain gear but their business practices are shady. I can find good deals on brands I recognize elsewhere.

Thank you schplurg. That is what I assumed. Might just use my credits to upgrade some trebles on some older lures.

[the reel ess]

Be careful what you order from them and read reviews. I do order a lot. But I've ordered a big Whopper Plopper and gotten a 75 knockoff. I ordered one 90 and got two knockoff 90s. They weren't so cheap that I knew they'd be fakes. I complained that the seller is calling his product a trademarked name and Amazon refunded my money and told me to keep the fakes. I haven't used them yet. The 75 works pretty well.

 

On the other hand I ordered some replacement Gamakatsu hooks. It was supposed to me one small box, but they sent a large box, which consists of 10 small boxes. So I have a lifetime supply of #2 EWG trebles. I was only charged for 1 box. Some picker or robot didn't recognize what constitutes a box.

[GaryH]

2 hours ago, the reel ess said:

 

On the other hand I ordered some replacement Gamakatsu hooks. It was supposed to me one small box, but they sent a large box, which consists of 10 small boxes. So I have a lifetime supply of #2 EWG trebles. I was only charged for 1 box. Some picker or robot didn't recognize what constitutes a box.

Same thing happen to me I ordered 2 pks. Of 10 Yamamoto senko worms from a major vendor and they sent me 10 pks. of each color for the price of 2. 
I called and told them and I was told to just keep them.

[PressuredFishing]

When buying Amazon tackle buy simple designs that are hard for them to screw up. For insrancing vertically jigging/casting spoons Is killer for bass this time a year, so I picked up a bladebait+4 3/8th-half oz spoons for 5.99 all different designs. Hooks suck bug replaced them but stamped spoon metal is Hella expensive, so a buck 25 a pop is a really good deal. All run true and their designs are simple. I don't know but you guys but spoons for bass and trout are getting REALLY pricey, don't know if it's because of the steel tariff or what.

[Plottman1974]

A few years back, I ordered a pack of generic dark sleeper baits from a company called Truscend because I couldn't find any dark sleepers in stock.  They are pretty darned good.  I have caught a ton of bass on them and unlike the dark sleepers, the eyes are still on them.  

[txchaser]

The seaguar line on amazon is almost always at an unbeatable price, and is legit. There are some amazon.jp JDM baits on there as well, but you really have to be looking for something specific to find them. 

[islandbass]

Yes it’s a risk. I dealt with Plussino. I was in a position where I had to travel home and unfortunately, even a 2-piece rod was out of the question. So I had to find a long, and telescopic type of rod. Plussino not only had the rod length I desired, it also came with the reel. 
 

I knew it was not going to be at the quality and caliber we are all accustomed to, but it really was my only choice — And I was willing to take the hit mainly because I knew what I was getting into. 
 

The spinning reel was crap. So I brought my own reels with me. However, the telescopic rod really surprised me. Or perhaps my expectations were so low, lol. The rod performed quite well AND it was sufficiently sensitive for the fishing I was planning to do with my family. I bought 3 for my two bros and dad. 

Unfortunately, my dad refused to fish, but he did come along. 
 

I was fortunate that what Plussino offered suited my needs and if it sucked or broke, I would not have gotten upset because I knew full well what I was getting into. 
 

Peace out and fish on, lol.