Why are swimbait heads so pricey?

[Bankc]

I discovered long ago that I catch more fish on cheap baits than I do on pricey ones.  Find the cheapest solution, get a hook file or small sharpening stone and you're golden.  The great thing about cheap baits is you don't mind throwing them into places you won't get them back.  And those are the best spots to fish.  

[RB 77]

It is because they are expensive/ labor intensive to make. That and the fact people are willing to pay the going rate. A less expensive version would be the old school ball head jig which will work just fine. Once you start using premium hooks, powder coating them, adding eyes and weed guards the cost definitely goes up. A cost myself and others are willing to pay. I don't care so much about the powder coating and the weed guard, but I refuse to fish anything that doesn't have a quality (for me, forged black nickel) hook with eyes. 

[Deleted account]

20 hours ago, CrashVector said:

That's why I tell people that "professional fishermen" aren't fishermen at all.  They're salesmen who catch a few fish.

I tell people most professional LMB anglers are not professional because most don't make $ at it. The sales pitch thing comes with the territory, I know in our case, when you get entry fees, electronics, rods, fuel, clothing, tackle, outboard bonus $, and a little cash, it makes it hard to say, "oh yeah, those products we use, they actually suck", or something to that effect.

 

[ajschn06]

My real issue is finding a decently priced Swimbait head in a solid green Pumpkin color…. They all seem to gravitate towards Shad colors..

[BlakeMolone]

4 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

My real issue is finding a decently priced Swimbait head in a solid green Pumpkin color…. They all seem to gravitate towards Shad colors..

Have you fished the squadron heads? I have a bunch in GP, you could also buy swimjig heads from siebert outdoors painted any color you want without a weed guard. The skirt collar just acts like an extra bait keeper.

[ajschn06]

7 minutes ago, BlakeMolone said:

Have you fished the squadron heads? I have a bunch in GP, you could also buy swimjig heads from siebert outdoors painted any color you want without a weed guard. The skirt collar just acts like an extra bait keeper.

I really like the squadron heads and use the baby for 3.3” and the regular for 4.3” .  They are pretty cheap too.  I don’t like the way either fit on a 3.8, but that’s probably a me thing.

[CrashVector]

2 hours ago, Deleted account said:

I tell people most professional LMB anglers are not professional because most don't make $ at it. The sales pitch thing comes with the territory, I know in our case, when you get entry fees, electronics, rods, fuel, clothing, tackle, outboard bonus $, and a little cash, it makes it hard to say, "oh yeah, those products we use, they actually suck", or something to that effect.

 

 

 

I value honesty above all else.  I'd support a guy who actually went on and said "Y'know....(company x) makes a lot of decent products, but this one....sucks."

[PhishLI]

1 hour ago, CrashVector said:

I'd support a guy who actually went on and said "Y'know....(company x) makes a lot of decent products, but this one....sucks."

That's a lot to ask of someone who needs to keep the lights on and depends on sponsorship bux to do so. I imagine pros simply screen out items they don't like and use what they do. In that case they're being honest about liking, using, and promoting an item. The type of honesty we'd all appreciate would probably come at too high a price ultimately. Sponsorship deals change over time. If you were a manufacturer would you pick up a pro who had a history of broadcasting to the public that  something in a previous sponsor's line was rotten?

 

Ideally a truly independent reviewer is the best you can hope for, but there are grey areas there too. Many reviewers will kick a dud item back to a manufacturer without ever mentioning it. This happens a lot in the real world, especially if a reviewer hopes to get review items in the future.

[cyclops2]

"  I used the rotten tomato wiggler in the contest I won !!     

 

("  I stopped using after 3 casts.  ")

[Siebert Outdoors]

I offer these  for Swimmers or Keitech like baitshttps://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/megalodon-shaky-head
 

 

[lynxcat]

1 hour ago, Siebert Outdoors said:

I offer these  for Swimmers or Keitech like baitshttps://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/megalodon-shaky-head
 

 

Mike - Would these work for a 3” Zman Minnowz or a bit too large? 3/0 hook seems like it is better fit for 4” swim baits?

 

https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/locked-up-jig-head

 

[ChrisD46]

5 hours ago, lynxcat said:

Mike - Would these work for a 3” Zman Minnowz or a bit too large? 3/0 hook seems like it is better fit for 4” swim baits?

 

https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/locked-up-jig-head

 

Z-Man Finesse Eyez Jighead

[Siebert Outdoors]

20 hours ago, lynxcat said:

Mike - Would these work for a 3” Zman Minnowz or a bit too large? 3/0 hook seems like it is better fit for 4” swim baits?

 

https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/locked-up-jig-head

 

Probably be a tad big for that. I typically use a 3.25-4” on them.