Why do we spend $25 on a crankbait when...

[Bass Dude]

One thing about living in the Northeast during winter is that you have way too much time to think about things.  For instance, we use things like a brush hog or a Berkley Beast, which "represent" something, but really doesn't look like anything.  These lures are fished SLOW, which gives the bass a lot of time to inspect our lures and decide if they want it or not--and they usually NAIL it!!!  

Now, we are paying $25 for a crankbait with a perfect finish.  These lures are burned by the fish and they strike it out of reaction.

I think we're being duped!!  Does the fish really see the details that we pay LuckyCraft or Jackal so dearly to put on their baits?  I do have a few of the Japanese creations, but I have caught a lot more fish on Bandits and Bombers than those.

[skunked_again]

i think the difference comes when you fish 7 days a week and do this to pay your bills. i like LC baits even though i only have a few.

the one good thing about bandits and bombers is you can modify the baits to no end and if you ruin the bait youve only lost a few dollars.

[roadwarrior]

Well, a lot of guys are "collectors". For example, I have a fairly

extensive collection of jerkbaits. Most have never been fished. I

don't think beautiful lures are just for catching bass. I suspect that

most of the guys here that don't need a thing for the rest of their

lives will spend more money on tackle this year than those that

are still building their stash. It's the nature of the beast.

8-)

[ejtaylor822]

I have several that have paid $20-$25 for.  A couple, that were custom made, were well worth the extra $$.  They cast farther and have better action.  

However, I only buy these lures for top-water and shallow to mid depth and only throw them where I am fairly confident they won't get snagged.  For that reason, I often catch a lot more fish on cheaper, throw away cranks that I toss into an area before brining out the "pretty ones".   :-[

[BassBandit35]

I only buy these lures for top-water and shallow to mid depth and only throw them where I am fairly confident they won't get snagged. For that reason, I often catch a lot more fish on cheaper, throw away cranks that I toss into an area before brining out the "pretty ones". :-[

Same here. Sammy is the only expensive lure I have in my tackle not to get snagged. Anything else that dives I buy them cheaper.

[Bass Dude]

Well, a lot of guys are "collectors". For example, I have a fairly

extensive collection of jerkbaits. Most have never been fished. I

don't think beautiful lures are just for catching bass. I suspect that

most of the guys here that don't need a thing for the rest of their

lives will spend more money on tackle this year than those that

are still building their stash. It's the nature of the beast.

So you're saying the Bait Monkey makes us do it!!!

8-)

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

^Exactly^ Thus the monkey is born.We have to blame it on someone or somebody.

[Muddy]

There is more than a bit of machismo attached to high end tackle, as if the better the stuff you use, the better a fisherman you are.

[T-rig]

High end tackle is pretty, that's all (and I love it)!

[fishinfiend]

I have not gone crazy but I do have a few expensive lures.

I bought a Jackall Giron because it looks cool and to use during prespawn. I bought some sammies because they are more subtle than a spook and because I like the colors better. Also, I bought a few LC cranks because I really like the American shad design, which I have not found offered by less expensive manufacturers.

I am so cautious about using the giron I think I am going to make it into a keychain  ;D

[Raul]

Well, a lot of guys are "collectors". For example, I have a fairly

extensive collection of jerkbaits. Most have never been fished. I

don't think beautiful lures are just for catching bass. I suspect that

most of the guys here that don't need a thing for the rest of their

lives will spend more money on tackle this year than those that

are still building their stash. It's the nature of the beast.

8-)

True

There is more than a bit of machismo attached to high end tackle, as if the better the stuff you use, the better a fisherman you are.

Machismo is also true

But there 's something else, I 'm a crankbait fisherman, I like fishing with cranks, cranks are my primary tool for catching fish, I don 't mind paying 25 bones for a crank, not because it 's beautifully painted, I pay 25 bones for the action of the bait.

[farmpond1]

I speak only for myself but if I'm going to fish a lure, I have to be willing to lose it.  And I'm simply not willing to lose a $25.00 lure.  As a fisherman who actually prefers to catch fish, I appreciate the fact that most of the better fish will be in the most treacherous locations.  I'd rather toss a $1.50 spinnerbait into the thick stuff than work only the outside edges of a spot because the lure costs 3 times as much and I'm not as willing to lose it.

Collecting is another matter altogether.  I personally don't collect but I can see why someone might choose to collect pretty or antique baits.

[Btech]

I bough a SPRO BBZ-1 Shad for 25 Bucks and lost it on the first cast (read Wiley 1-12-09) It sucked but its somthing you deal with

My old fishin buddy said if your not loosing lures your not gaining fish

Which doesnt make sence to me but in the long run YOU WILL LOOSE stuff.

I just restock - it gives me an excuse to go to BPS.

[grimlin]

The more money you got and willing to spend the harder that little money kicks.

[ChiCityBasser]

I have several that have paid $20-$25 for. A couple, that were custom made, were well worth the extra $$. They cast farther and have better action.

However, I only buy these lures for top-water and shallow to mid depth and only throw them where I am fairly confident they won't get snagged. For that reason, I often catch a lot more fish on cheaper, throw away cranks that I toss into an area before brining out the "pretty ones". :-[

I don't have any $25 lures in my box but I do have a couple of LC that I was scared to lose initially cause of the cost . Fishing from the shore there is always a chance of getting snagged and i use to fear losing a more expensive lure but if it has a better action and better chance of me putting a bigger fish on the line then I'm using it. Most of the lures I use are Custom Painted and the most expensive being a Strike King Custom Painted King Shad in Bluegill off ebay for $24. It's been tossed but don't worry bout losing it.

[Bass_Fanatic]

One time a buddy of mine and I were fishing a spot that he had caught a lot of fish in hte day prior.  He had told me if I wanted to catch any fish, I had to go buy a LC Live Pointer.  I intended on doing so, but it slipped my mind that day.  The next day, I threw a Zoom Fluke and actually caught more on it than he did on his $20 bait.  he was angry at me for a while, but in hte end, he ended the day with a nice 9.4lber.  But if I had to do it all over again, I would throw a Zoom Fluke!!!

By the way, I have NO baits over $10!  But I also have NO money!! I just got married last week!! haha

[djmax22]

I never pay retail and get most of Lucky crafts off Ebay for around $10 a piece. I'm willing to pay for Lucky Crafts b/c every other Strike King I buy never runs true after excessive tuning and the hooks are complete crap. That is a waste of $5 right there.

I don't mind losing a few lucky craft now and then. Now some of my high end swimbaits.................. >

[fourbizz]

I get really tired of people that concern themselves with how others spend their money.

[skunked_again]

I never pay retail and get most of Lucky crafts off Ebay for around $10 a piece. I'm willing to pay for Lucky Crafts b/c every other Strike King I buy never runs true after excessive tuning and the hooks are complete crap. That is a waste of $5 right there.

I don't mind losing a few lucky craft now and then. Now some of my high end swimbaits.................. >

ive been known to get wet over a LC bait.

[Jake.]

I willl spend the extra money on custom cranks because I believe they will help me catch more fish. Lots of them have unique actions that bass don't see very often. It's all about what you have confidence in.

[BassBandit35]

I get really tired of people that concern themselves with how others spend their money.

x2

[Maxximus Redneckus]

i think the difference comes when you fish 7 days a week and do this to pay your bills. i like LC baits even though i only have a few.

the one good thing about bandits and bombers is you can modify the baits to no end and if you ruin the bait youve only lost a few dollars.

I think makin money  dont mean buy LC or w-e. The pros make plenty of money using bandits,strikeking, etc etc

[The Next KVD]

Kevin Vandam has won over $3million fishing with $4-$5 strike King cranks. The most expensive crank I have are a few Rapala DT's that are $6-$8. Swimbaits on the other hand are the exception. You really do get what you pay for when you buy a swimbait. However, cheap cranks $3-$8 have won more money and caught more fish than $14-$25 cranks. I think the only way I could justify buying a LC would be if I fished ultra clear water like the guyz out west and in Japan do, there I see the finish helping. However, I'd say the majority of the lakes, rivers, and resevoirs in the U.S.A. are clear with a slight stain to muddy.

[FD.]

If you want and can spend that kind of money, knock yourself out.

There is only 1 reason I don't do it. I know I'm going to loose at least 1 crankbait every time I go fishing. If I don't loose them in the brushpiles then I break them in half bouncing them off the bridge pilings or docks. Knowing that I only paid a few bucks for them lets me throw them right into the middle of the heavy crap.

[Jake.]

Kevin Vandam has won over $3million fishing with $4-$5 strike King cranks.

You would be surprised at how many pros have certain crankbaits that they use when money is on the line that they keep a secret for the most part, including KVD.

That being said, I'd bet Rick Clunn or David Fritts could beat me or probably any of us with a $0.99 Wal-Mart crank.