What makes one brand better than another?

[Fishwhittler]

There are a lot of manufacturers making any given type of bait and there isn't a whole lot of difference as far as looks go, yet each manufacturer touts its model as the best because of some factor that supposedly makes it almost impossible to not catch a fish with their bait. What makes one brand of bait better than another of a different brand of the same type?

[Muddy]

Advertising in some cases, that's why they paste their names all over the pros.

In many cases they are built with better components

[Raul]

Re: What makes one brand better than another?

Components, materials, design, performance, uniformity.

[ShouldBe0utdoors]

I think personal success is the biggest key. I try to get my dad to try other brands, but he insists that Power Worms and Power Lizards are the best out there.

As far as companies go; I think that the plastic and scent(LPT, PowerBait, etc.) each one uses are the biggest differences.

[J Francho]

Re: What makes one brand better than another?

Components, materials, design, performance, uniformity.

That pretty much nails it.  I know if I lose my Pointer in Aurora Black, its backup copy will work EXACTLY the same.  I cannot say the same for some other well known baits.

[bass wrangler569]

Re: What makes one brand better than another?

Components, materials, design, performance, uniformity.

That pretty much nails it. I know if I lose my Pointer in Aurora Black, its backup copy will work EXACTLY the same. I cannot say the same for some other well known baits.

X2 exactly

[J Francho]

Actually, the consistency thing is something that really irks me.  $15-20 for a Lucky Craft or Megabass seems perfectly reasonable to me, but $7-10 for a Rapala feels like an absolute ripoff.  Problem is, when they work, they work - therefore, I have to have some Rapalas in my tackle bag.  It just irritates me that somewhere around 30% don't work right out of the box.

[Raul]

Actually, the consistency thing is something that really irks me. $15-20 for a Lucky Craft or Megabass seems perfectly reasonable to me, but $7-10 for a Rapala feels like an absolute ripoff. Problem is, when they work, they work - therefore, I have to have some Rapalas in my tackle bag. It just irritates me that somewhere around 30% don't work right out of the box.

We 're back to the same old question that pops up all the time: is it worth it ? you my friend are one of the few people like me that find the price of the lure worth it, why ? you say Rapalas when they work they really work, true, I 'm not going to bash Rapala or turn this thread into a Rapala vs Lucky Craft vs whatever you think the price is right.

Yes, I also have experienced the consistency issue with Rapalas, most of my hard baits are Rapala, but they are not the Rapala you just go out and pick from the shelf, the ones that form my arsenal are those that really work ( I 'm finicky ), I go out and purchase let 's say  Shad Raps, I don 't purchase only one, I purchase 5 or 6 and from those 5 or 6 lures I purchased I may find worth keeping one and if I 'm really lucky two baits that work really well, 5 or 6 x 7 bones a pop = 30-42 bones to find one lure that really works .... isn 't a 30-42 dollars lure expensive ?, ok let 's say I find two ( lucky me ! ) well then they are 15-24 dollars lures, pretty much what a LC or Megabass lure is worth.

What happens to the ones I discarded ? I clearance them sometimes other times I give them away.

[Steven Ladner]

Durability and performance. But as stated above, companies advertising will make you choose one over the other.

[Muddy]

I use a load of Rapala products. Yes some do need adjustment, on a positive side, they are frequently minor, and in making those adjustments is how I learned to tune a bait to have a different action , than straight out of the box and this has helped things once in a while.

[Bobby Uhrig]

FUNCTIONALITY- PRODUCTIVITY - ATTENTION TO DETAIL- and having great customer service -THATS ALL YOU NEED FOR A SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT AND COMPANY

[Fishing Rhino]

Speaking of consistency, years ago when you bought a Rebel swimming lure, it came with instructions on how to bend the eye if it ran on one side or the other, or didn't dive properly, or did not run directly at you on the retrieve.

You made adjustments by bending the eye up, down, left or right, depending on the "problem".

That was over thirty years ago.  I'm wondering if it's not possible to "tune" Rapalas the same way, rather than dumping them at fire sale prices or giving them away.

[Muddy]

Yes, that's how you tune them. I guess for the big 8 bucks they charge for a great bait, they should send a Technician to your house to do it for you ;D

[Bobby Uhrig]

The problem I find in todays business world is that companies forgot the word INTEGRITY. I believe that is the most important part of the company. Word of mouth will sell products for them . They all seem like snake-oils salesmen. Once they have your money-they dont care what happens after the sale. There are some great companies out there that still live by a code of ethics. It is taught to them by their families- and upbringings.it is something that is usually not forgotten. Teach your kids  the right way you will be proud  of them forever.

[CWB]

Re: What makes one brand better than another?

Components, materials, design, performance, uniformity.

This is why I think the RageTail line of baits is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds.

Consistency due to great materials used, innovative packaging assuring no duds in the pack, and the fact they flat out work.

Big-O was ahead of his time in the design and packaging part of these. Sure they cost a tad more but how many of us have pulled out a bait from a bag where they were all smashed together and the tails or other parts bent and would not work properly. As far as hard baits, a little tuning is a part of the game. The important thing is if after you are done tuning and satisfied with the baits performance, does it catch fish.

Agree 100% with Muddy on this. Bobby makes great jigs also.

Anyone who is deterred by the price will be delighted with the results.