Quantity vs. Quality

[LCpointerKILLA]

I just posted this today on that BPS sale thread, but I want to see what more people think.

Would you rather pay anywhere between 10-30 bucks for a lure that is perfect running, strong&sharp hooks, durable finish, good colors, unique to pressured bass, strong lip that won't break if slapping weeds off, or anything else.

    Also spending that kind of money on a lure you are looking for, that is perfect for the application that you need it for, practical for the bodies of water you fish, and is going to be useful quite often?

OR

Would you rather buy a cheaper lure that you're pretty sure the stock hooks are going to pull strait on a decent bass, the action probably won't be as good, it might not run true out of the box, the finish may chip off easily, the lip might be a little fragile, ect.

    Also it may have been a nice lure in the sale bin at a big store, but it is a weird color you typically don't use, you probably won't find too many times to tie it on, may not be practical for the bodies of water you fish, and so on.

I am 100% a person who will spend money for a better lure.

[burleytog]

Quality is always more important.

[Jake.]

Quality.

I'm just a teenager without a job so income is pretty limited, lol. But, I save my money to buy the best baits I can afford. I love Lucky Crafts, and they're what I have confidence in. I can always count on them to be great fish catchers that always run true. I may not have as many baits as some other bassers, but I love the ones I love. The same goes for rods and reels.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

You've only named each extreme side of the scale.

I'll take the quality baits that are priced realistically.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

You've only named each extreme side of the scale.

I'll take the quality baits that are priced realistically.

x2  I always avoid the bargin bin stuff, and there is a middle point with a lot of brands which are on the high side a little but nothing drastic.7-8-12 dollars, nothing wrong with that.You can have quality and quanity.

[LCpointerKILLA]

You've only named each extreme side of the scale.

I'll take the quality baits that are priced realistically.

LBH I WAS WAITING FOR YOU!!! You are right, there are some quality hard baits that are realistically priced, and A TON of fantastic soft baits that are reasonably priced.

[LCpointerKILLA]

You've only named each extreme side of the scale.

I'll take the quality baits that are priced realistically.

x2  I always avoid the bargin bin stuff, and there is a middle point with a lot of brands which are on the high side a little but nothing drastic.7-8-12 dollars, nothing wrong with that.You can have quality and quanity.

About the bargain bins, I was at Bass Pro and bought a pfluger jerkbait out of a bargain bin, several months ago. That lure is pretty much where I thought of all the negative attributes of cheap crap lures. The hooks pulled strait, paint chipped off, and everything else. But yes, indeed there are middle of the rang lures that are quality.

The first that come to mind are Rapala and Spro

But again, I stick with my luckycraft, megabass, and other lures that are perfect.

[mattm]

I will buy high end tackle until the cows come home.  For instance, I will probably throw Sammy's as long as they are made and I havent' tried somehting better.  However, what I will not do is never try something new.For instance, ***  *** is hands down the best in the business.  I'm talking name brand, knockoffs or anything.  His beaver style baits are just as good as anything(i just wish I could fish them on a 4/0 hook).  So I will not foolishly pay more for a name brand when I think there is an imitation that is as good or  better than the name brand.  By no means do I mean the previous sentence as an insult or attack on anyone.  If you feel that any of the name brand baits I mentioned are the best in that particular style of bait than go for it.  Its mostly confidence anyways.  So if you just think the Zoom Brush Hog is the only way to go then your probably better of sticking with it.

[Catt]

It really doesn't make a difference to the bass  

[T-rig]

It really doesn't make a difference to the bass

But it makes a difference to us! :)

There are some cheap baits that are completely useless.

[mattm]

But it makes a difference to us!  

There are some cheap baits that are completely useless.

T-rig,

I completly agree, but who is the authority on comletly useless baits.  I like many people on here love Strike King spinnerbaits.  Unlike many people on here I think War Eagles are completly useless.  I hate them and wouldn't fish one if you mailed me 20.  I actually formed my opinion on War Eagles before I got super into fishing.  I was shocked once I came to this forum to see several people saying they were the best.  I honestly believed they were crap.

[ABC123]

The best "value" in fishing is the middle priced lures...to a point. Rapala, Heddon, Aborgast, Mann's.... Lucky Crafts are fine lures, but so are their price tags. Same with worms. I've been on a few "hot bites" with Senko's, but it cost quite a bit of pocket change going through all those Senko's. I've caught enough Bass on Powerbait and Culprits to know they are a good value. The Roboworms and *** worms look like they are a good value too.

[Catt]

I've caught more big bass on Wal/Mart's 6 Renegade Hook Tail Worms than I ever have on Gary Yamamoto's Senko. Does this make the Renegade Worms better than the Senko? To the bass it did!

Last year I caught 4 double digit bass on Gene Larew 7 ½ Ring Worm which cost the unbelievable price of $22.84 per 100 which figures out to $0.23 a piece. Gene Larew Lures manufactures their baits using the finest soft-plastic injection molding equipment in the industry. That's why their baits are so consistent in shape and color, which isn't always the case with many soft baits on the market today.  

That's high quality without the high price  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Catt- Is that a 20 yr old brand loyalty?  Says a lot for a company to keep a customer that long and its not like Tommy only catches dinks

Mattm- Why no 4/0???  That's all we use.  Are you using the 4.5's??

[detroit1]

The only way i'll throw a Lucky Craft is when someone gives me one. I will NEVER buy one. I have never had a bass tell me that" his grandma would have ate my lure, but since it didn't say LC on it, she turned her nose up and swam away, so i ate it." Seems to me that folks will buy anything to cover up their lack of catching skills. Save your money and fish smarter!  p.s.: i lose about 5 cranks a year to those toothy critters, and i would be pi$$t if i spent $12 apiece for them... >

[T-rig]

The only way i'll throw a Lucky Craft is when someone gives me one. I will NEVER buy one. Seems to me that folks will buy anything to cover up their lack of catching skills.

You don't know what your missing!

I won't comment on that second remark.

[jdw174]

IMO, there are plenty of "cheaper" lures out there, in a sufficient number of fish-catching colors that keep me from feeling the need to drop a wad of cash on just one lure.  Bandits, Bombers, Mann's, Strike King, and Bill Norman lures to name a few.  Out of those lures, it's seldom indeed that I might have to do more than make a slight adjustment to the line tie....and that not very often.  As for hooks, I will only make changes if they're either chrome/nickel plated, or if they're the old Eagle Claw "Beak" type.  

In soft plastics I long ago gave up on just having to have the original Senkos.  One fish = one senko torn up.  Funny thing....I found that the cheaper priced "clones" caught just as many fish as the original.   For those of you that  think you need the high-priced spread and can afford it...more power to you.  I can't afford them and I'm not sure that I'd buy any if I could.  But it's all JMO of course...

[Catt]

Gene Larew took on Arkie Lures, inc. and the fishing industry in a court of law over their patent rights concerning salt impregnated & injection molding. Arkie Lures, inc. and the fishing industry originally won the suit but Gene Larew had the decision over turned in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. This hurt Gene Larew's popularity, outside of Oklahoma and Texas they are not well know.

http://www.ll.georgetown.edu/federal/judicial/fed/opinions/96opinions/96-1239.html

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

IMO, there are plenty of "cheaper" lures out there, in a sufficient number of fish-catching colors that keep me from feeling the need to drop a wad of cash on just one lure.  Bandits, Bombers, Mann's, Strike King, and Bill Norman lures to name a few.  Out of those lures, it's seldom indeed that I might have to do more than make a slight adjustment to the line tie....and that not very often.  As for hooks, I will only make changes if they're either chrome/nickel plated, or if they're the old Eagle Claw "Beak" type.  

In soft plastics I long ago gave up on just having to have the original Senkos.  One fish = one senko torn up.  Funny thing....I found that the cheaper priced "clones" caught just as many fish as the original.   For those of you that  think you need the high-priced spread and can afford it...more power to you.  I can't afford them and I'm not sure that I'd buy any if I could.  But it's all JMO of course...

It may be JUST YOUR OPINION, but it's my MISSION STATEMENT!!   ;D

You, my friend, are a Low Budget Hooker

Good read Catt, I know first hand how intricate the world of patent protection can be when you enter the  "intellectual properties" side of things.

T-Rig- Being a "connoisseur" of baits, your opinion is different but highly respected.  You are like my partner, he wants a bait JUST TO CATCH ON IT and then move on.  He epitomizes diversity and versatility.  I'm sure your experiences are different from mine as we fish 2 different worlds (not just geographically)

[Micro]

You've only named each extreme side of the scale.

I'll take the quality baits that are priced realistically.

I haven't read all responses - but I agree.

x 10

You can have quality and low price.

Bomber cranks appeal to me because they have have great actions, run the way I expect, have good hooks, durable finishes and low prices.  

Rapala are some of the best lures available, and are priced lower than they are worth.   The X-Rap's clear side bodies with reflective element inside may or may not be their innovation, but they've perfected it and it's one of the most durable and productive baits I've seen.  

Even some cheap Lew's from BPS are great baits, once you change the hooks.

On the contrary, I've been less than impressed with the durability of the scaled finish on my shad LC DD Pointers.  After several decent fish, it's all scratched up and missing scales.  And LC's Real Skin lures, with the premise that "it will develope tiny tears over time releasing scent into the water" seems to me to be a way to justify the fact that they've produced another bait with a less than durable finish.   LCs are great baits, but even they have their issues.

[Guest muddy]

You've only named each extreme side of the scale.

I'll take the quality baits that are priced realistically.

100% agree with LBH I have pared my stuff down to quality baits, only what I use and I stopped hoarding and carrying things that I do not use

Rapala,Bomber ,Arbogast and Norman Plugs

*** Plastics

VMC Hooks

Some Quality Jig Heads

 Thats the whole deal. I am not saying the more costly stuff is any better or worse. This is what works for me. I gave up on cheapo stuff, cause it just doesn't last. With the one exception of CABELAS JOINTED GLASS RAPS; no differnce in performace or durability than the Rapala product 8-)

[Cajun1977]

The only way i'll throw a Lucky Craft is when someone gives me one. I will NEVER buy one. I have never had a bass tell me that" his grandma would have ate my lure, but since it didn't say LC on it, she turned her nose up and swam away, so i ate it." Seems to me that folks will buy anything to cover up their lack of catching skills. Save your money and fish smarter! p.s.: i lose about 5 cranks a year to those toothy critters, and i would be pi$$t if i spent $12 apiece for them... >

ok so because either you cant afford them or you wont spend the money for them ,they are overrated. Comments like yours flat out tell me that you dont know your backside from a hole in the ground.Im not saying luckycraft is the end all be all ,im just saying they are no way over rated. It amazes me how every once in a while we get someone who post something negative about something without ever fishing it before whether it be rods reels or lures.

So in the future if you havent fished bait X dont run your mouth off about bait X cause your the only one who looks stupid in doing so

have a nice day

[LCpointerKILLA]

The only way i'll throw a Lucky Craft is when someone gives me one. I will NEVER buy one. I have never had a bass tell me that" his grandma would have ate my lure, but since it didn't say LC on it, she turned her nose up and swam away, so i ate it." Seems to me that folks will buy anything to cover up their lack of catching skills. Save your money and fish smarter!  p.s.: i lose about 5 cranks a year to those toothy critters, and i would be pi$$t if i spent $12 apiece for them... >

ok so because either you cant afford them or you wont spend the money for them ,they are overrated. Comments like yours flat out tell me that you dont know your backside from a hole in the ground.Im not saying luckycraft is the end all be all ,im just saying they are no way over rated. It amazes me how every once in a while we get someone who post something negative about something without ever fishing it before whether it be rods reels or lures.

So in the future if you havent fished bait X dont run your mouth off about bait X cause your the only one who looks stupid in doing so

have a nice day

X2

But even with the people I fish with, a few are just this way. They seem to not understand how much better a lure like a luckycraft really is. If you understand hardbait fishing, you know that there are a lot of benefits of fishing a lure like a luckycraft, unless you've never tried one.

[LCpointerKILLA]

I've caught more big bass on Wal/Mart's 6 Renegade Hook Tail Worms than I ever have on Gary Yamamoto's Senko. Does this make the Renegade Worms better than the Senko? To the bass it did!

Last year I caught 4 double digit bass on Gene Larew 7 ½ Ring Worm which cost the unbelievable price of $22.84 per 100 which figures out to $0.23 a piece. Gene Larew Lures manufactures their baits using the finest soft-plastic injection molding equipment in the industry. That's why their baits are so consistent in shape and color, which isn't always the case with many soft baits on the market today.  

That's high quality without the high price  

This thread isn't about plastics!!!

[Tin]

It really doesn't make a difference to the bass

x2