Expecive Lures, What Do You Guys Think?

[Mattlures]

I figured I would start a new thread so Senkosam could debate the subject he realy wants to argue about. BUT I would like to hear your guys's opinion of expencive lures.

I will use what gives me the best chance at success and what I have the most confidence in even if it cost more as long as it produces better results. If I find a cheaper alternative that works just as well then I will use that. However it does seem that in most cases the better quality lures cost more. There are exceptions though. I like Rapala and they are a bargin compaired to other similar baits.

[JaxBasser]

I use what works for me, and usually that's the cheaper/average priced stuff. It's just not in my budget to spend $18 on a Lucky Craft crank or something similar.

It's tough for me to even spend $7 on a bag of plastics, I'll drop that in a heartbeat for some Fat Ikas though because I know they work.

[Bluebasser86]

I like to use what works but I have a limit since I'm not fishing tournaments anymore. $20 is about my limit on what I'll spend on a bait since there really is nothing on the line if I can't get that 5th bite of the day.

[Marty]

I will use what gives me the best chance at success and what I have the most confidence in even if it cost more as long as it produces better results.

Let me say, with all due respect, that it would be extremely difficult to determine if one lure outproduces another. You'd need to catch a lot of fish, over a long period of time, under controlled conditions, to make that determination.

That's a lot different, of course, from having confidence in a lure.

I've been using crankbaits for 40+ years and have seen plenty of fish caught on modestly priced lures like Rapalas, Norman, Bombers, Mann's and many others.

I'd be first in line for the $20 baits if I thought they'd get me more and/or bigger fish, but that just doesn't compute for me. Maybe the expensive lures have better hooks, finishes that are works of art (more for our benefit than the fish's), but I just can't see them attracting more strikes when I see the action on the lures I mentioned.

[Hooligan]

I would disagree, as politely as is possible. There are days where an Xrap won't snag a fish, nor any Rogue, or Husky Jerk, or even a Pointer. Drop a Vision 110 in the water and you get knocked over by fish. There's a definite difference in some, not all, higher priced baits. And by difference I mean their effectiveness. Now, that doesn't always correlate to expense, but in those cases that it does, it makes me very glad a I have a decent collection of LC cranks, or Megabass Jerkbaits.

[deep]

I haven't been fishing long enough, but GYCB senkos, ikas, and Matt's baits are the 3 only (sort-of) expensive baits I'll buy. And compared to some SBs, Matt's are actually much cheaper. So actually it's only the senkos and ikas. I'm not a tournament fisherman, and I find it hard to justify $15+ on a lucky craft or megabass to catch 20 fish when I can catch 15 on a Rapala. JMHO.

[Fat-G]

I'm really split. I want the best jigs for the lowest price, but now I'm starting to think it might be worth it (or I might just have to) spend more money per jig for the jig that I want.

Plastics, there's really just no compromise for me. It's Rage Tail's and Zooms for me. They work the best for me, and I just love them!

[Crestliner2008]

Walk into any BPS shop or google "fishing lures" online and you will see a vast array of baits, most of which have and can catch bass. Some are $4.95 each. Some are $40.00 or more each. (Some triple that!)

As fishermen become more and more educated and experienced, they start to pick & choose those lures which, 1) have reliably caught fish for them in the past, or 2) gives them the anticipation and excitement of possibly catching more.

When you come right down to it, that's what our sport is all about. You've got to think about lures as tools to control your fishing situation. If you buy them because they pretty; well, you're going to spend a fortune and get disappointed more often than not.

I've paid some serious bucks for some of my lures. But I've done so with a purpose of attack in mind for situations I normally come up against. Most lure companies today spend awesome amounts of money and time in design, function and finish of their offerings. As I said previously, most will catch their fair share of fish - if presented as the manufacturer intended. But don't believe for a minute that you can buy fishing success. You must think of fishing in basic terms (depth & speed control), not hype. Just my opinion - you asked for it.

[BassThumb]

However it does seem that in most cases the better quality lures cost more.

That's capitalism for you. Manufacturers, dealers, and retailers wouldn't charge high prices if people weren't willing to pay them, and people wouldn't be willing to pay the asking prices if the product didn't satisfy them. This goes for more than just fishing tackle. Mediocre services and shoddy, overpriced goods get weeded out naturally when consumers can vote with their wallets.

[Thad]

Unless you're a collector, you buy lures to catch fish.

I'm in grad school and I don't have a lot of money to spend on fishing gear but if I think something is going to help put fish in the boat then I will get it. I'm a tournament fisherman and I think that affects my decision in purchases. If I was more casual then I may not purchase as much as I do.

I don't really pay too much attention to quality when it comes to lures. I do with things like terminal tackle, rods, and reels. There are exceptions with lures though. I will get things like spinnerbaits and jigs that have the best components because I think they generally perform the same. But with soft plastics and hard baits I don't really look at quality. All that matters to me is if it will put fish in the boat. If a Shad Rap cost $20 then I would still pay it because it catches a lot of fish for me. If any of the Lucky Craft lipless crankbaits cost $3 then I still wouldn't buy them because I haven't done very well with them compared to other lipless cranks.

[RoLo]

Before most lure purchases, I usually have a prepared list of features that I want.

Normally I'm not able to find the exact lure I'm looking for and wind up settling.

On the other hand, if I do find a lure that offers all the features I want,

I don't mind paying more for that lure. Price becomes an object only when

I find two or mores lures that fill the bill, which is not often.

Roger

[grimlin]

Money is the only thing that stops me from buying anything too expensive. Anything over $15 I have to really think about it rather I really need it or not.

It's funny though,I have no problem dropping $30-$50 on soft plastic bulk baits.Usually when I do this,there's no doubt what I'm buying works for me.I just cannot do it on a single item type deal though. You lose it once and you're out $50.

Kinda sucks being poor and broke...lol....

[River Rat316]

That's capitalism for you. Manufacturers, dealers, and retailers wouldn't charge high prices if people weren't willing to pay them, and people wouldn't be willing to pay the asking prices if the product didn't satisfy them. This goes for more than just fishing tackle. Mediocre services and shoddy, overpriced goods get weeded out naturally when consumers can vote with their wallets.

Thats usually not a true statement, its not charging higher prices because people will pay them, its charging higher prices because their is more labor involved and higher price components. I am positive the higher price companies have the same or less profit margin then the bigger cheap companies (excluding JDM products)

[BassThumb]

Thats usually not a true statement, its not charging higher prices because people will pay them, its charging higher prices because their is more labor involved and higher price components. I am positive the higher price companies have the same or less profit margin then the bigger cheap companies (excluding JDM products)

Yes, one of the basic rules of economics is that the business sets the price for something based on what they give up to get it. But regardless of production cost, labor cost, and profit margins, the product or service still has to live up to the price tag or consumers will not buy it.

My point is, as it relates to fishing tackle, is that if a company is charging big money for a product and the product is selling consistently, then it is likely worth the price. "Value" is subjective. Buyers are willing to pay different prices for things based on their personal perspective, likes and dislikes. Ranger Boats, Loomis GLX, GYCB Senkos, LC Pointers come to mind. Some people think they're worth it, other don't, but enough people do that they can maintain their premium prices.

[Mattlures]

It does seem that most of us are willing to pay more for quality. I will give you an example of when I paid WAY more then normal. I have always wanted the perfect buzzbait. I found a couple good ones but my best one( a Bass pro titanium) was discontinued. I tried to find a suitible replacement but I couldnt. Then one day at a show I found the perfect Buzzbait. It was $17. I put it down and walked away. As I walked through the show I started thinking about it. How often do I loose Buzzers? Never.

How long do my regular buzzers last? not that long because they go bad once the blade wears through the rivet. Then I started thinking about how many buzzers I bought looking for a great one. Probably a dozzen and I probably spent at least $50 on that dozzen that couldnt replace my favorite. So I found one that knew was perfect. I knew it would last longer and perform better then any other and that $17 didnt seem so absurd anymore. I went back and bought it and I still have it and its the ONLY one I use. I have probably caught 50-100 bass on it and its still in great shape. I got what I paid for and it was worth every penny.

Now I can tell you out of the 12 buzzers that were just ok, some of the cheap $3 baits were every bit as good as the $10 baits but none matched the $17 one. In this case the most expencive one was the best deal for me but this is not always the case. Actualy its almost never the case for me.

However when I recognize something that I know is better and will make a real differance then I make myself buy it.

BTW I HAVE ZERO AFFILIATION WITH THAT BUZZBAIT CO.

[jdw174]

The most expensive lures in my boat cost under $6, and I catch my share of fish on them. Just can't bring myself to start popping $15 for one lure when I can get 2 or 3 others for the same money. I stick with Bomber, Bandit, BPS, Norman, and one or two others. If you've got the money and want to buy the high priced spread.....go for it. I guess I'll just plod along with what I've got.

[SDoolittle]

I've never understood how someone could spend $40,000 on a boat, buy a dozen $400 rod and reel combos, and then complain that $15 is too much for a bait. I wouldn't want to buy a hundred $15 baits at once, but do you really need that many? I think a lot of fishermen are conviced that they need a large variety of baits when they could get by with a much smaller selection. My boat is stuffed with hundreds of lures, but I may actually use 25% of them. My point is that while you may be able to buy three or four lower priced lures for the price of one expensive lure, you probably don't need them. Buy what you can afford, have confidence in what you use, but don't ever trade quality for quantity.

[Pantera61]

Wow, where to begin?

1. Components. Look at the folks who pay $X for a KVD crankbait then swap out the hooks @ $.75/pop. I'll buy the lures with the best components right off rack.

2. Bald cures, sex pills, breast growth, whiter teeth, anti-gas, better smelling hemorrhoid cream. No company has ever gone broke selling confidence or peace of mind. I used to use premium baits for tournaments and "regular" baits for leisure until I realized of course I want to catch just as many fish for fun.

3. If you're fishing tournaments and not using the best tackle you can afford, you're playing half-assed and why bother?

4. "Catch the fisherman, not the fish." By-line of the mediocre angler. That fish isn't going to see that bait unless the angler buys it.

That's all for now. More than likely more to follow.

[Hooligan]

Wow, where to begin?

1. Components. Look at the folks who pay $X for a KVD crankbait then swap out the hooks @ $.75/pop. I'll buy the lures with the best components right off rack.

2. Bald cures, sex pills, breast growth, whiter teeth, anti-gas, better smelling hemorrhoid cream. No company has ever gone broke selling confidence or peace of mind. I used to use premium baits for tournaments and "regular" baits for leisure until I realized of course I want to catch just as many fish for fun.

3. If you're fishing tournaments and not using the best tackle you can afford, you're playing half-assed and why bother?

4. "Catch the fisherman, not the fish." By-line of the mediocre angler. That fish isn't going to see that bait unless the angler buys it.

That's all for now. More than likely more to follow.

Couldn't possibly agree more.

[Avalonjohn44]

I buy lures both to collect and to use. Sometimes that gets pricey, buying one to use and one to display. But it has given me the opportunity to compare baits from both sides of the spectrum...

On one hand my cheap baits outfish their counterparts handily: The Wee Frog by Rebel totally outfishes my Megabass Type X Frogs. My Rebel Pop-R outdoes my Pop-x and Ricos. And my trusty little Bandit 100 is as productive as my RC1.5s... (And I am not afraid to throw my expensive lures into snaggy spots. I swim right in after them if I snap the line )

But in some instances the more expensive baits are clearly better:

The LC pointer outfishes all of my other jerkbaits combined, bar none. My Tango Dancers (Owner/Cultiva) outfish all of my other spook baits combined (Sammy included). And my RC1.5s and 2.5s beat every other crank I own (other than the above mentioned Bandit...)

And some just don't seem to matter. I can't catch any fish on any jig, expensive or not. I can catch the same amount of fish on my $1 Walmart Spinner bait as I can on an $8 Terminator. And Gander MTN Bulk Senkos produce just as well as the GYBC real Senkos... My scum frogs get just as many blowups as my Spro frogs (can't wait to get my Kopper's wet though...)

What I'm saying is that it isn't cut and dry. Some high dollars clearly outfish the bargain baits, and some bargain baits clearly outfish the high dollars. It is situational to the bait. I think sticking rigidly to one philosophy, either nothing but price lures or only cheap lures, limits the fisherman's ability to be the best angler he/she can be.

[BASSclary]

Fishing from shore, losing lure's to snags is common. I become scared to use more expensive baits. Anything over 3$ really.

[mrbassky68]

I have a couple priciples I stand by when it comes to paying more for baits.

-First off I want the top of the line PERFORMANCE in whatever I throw if it is reasonable that I can afford it. I don't get to fish everyday so when I do fish either for fun or in a tournament I want to give myself the best chance to catch fish and enjoy myself. That goes for rods and reels as well. For rods I use shimano and Loomis mostly. Now are there more expensive rods? Yes but performance wise I haven't noticed much difference.

-With some baits you don't need to pay top of the line prices. In hardbaits I really notice a difference in certain baits. One big difference is they cast better. With Jerkbaits and topwater baits this can be huge. I really prefer to pay more for certain baits-Jerkbaits, many topwater baits, swimbaits and shallow wooden crankbaits. With medium and deep divers I havent noticed much diffence in fish catches with high dollar baits. I would put a wigglewart, Strike King 6xd, fat free shad or any rapala against a premium bait. Same with spinnerbaits and jigs. But at the same time you don't want to go to cheap. Really cheap baits don't last long.

-I am more likely to pay more for a hardbait because it will last longer. I have a good assortment of swimbaits, I have everything from mattlures hardgill baits, triple trouts, BBZ-1s to wakebaits. I paid alot for these baits but the good news is they will last a long time because I rarely lose them. But softplastics on the other had can be more costly. For example trutungsten came out with the depth shad which was a soft jerkbait with tungsten in it. They were $10 a pack for 3 I think. If I get on a soft jerkbait bite I might use $30-50 in baits in a day easy with those baits, thats too much to stomach. The good news is usually there isn't much difference in soft plastics once the quality gets to a certain point. Swimbaits do need to be good quality but luckily you don't lose many and they last longer. Also they can be repaired easier than small soft plastics.

So really it depends on the bait and if I can find a cheaper alternative. And on any given day if I can catch them on a cheaper bait just as well thats what I will throw. Recently for example we were catching fish on shallow crankbaits. KVD 1.5s and small flat balsa baits. Both were doing just as good so I stuck with the KVD 1.5. The balsa baits we were catching them on were 3x as much and not as durable. But if there is a bait you have to pay a premium for then thats what I will do. One thing I am not 100% sold on is the vintage lure hype. I know the P70 is a good lure but I am not paying $50-75 for one. The magnum Pop-R does fine for me.Same witt the vintage Bomber Long-A the new chrome ones are fine for me. I think the vintage lure thing has alot to do with confidence among the pros but thats just me.