Benefits Of More Expensive Lures? 2024
new2BC4bass reply :
Probably been asked many times, but this is a forum I never visit.....but plan on spending more time here as my rod and reel arsenal is now more than big enough. Checked a couple pages, and didn't see any similar thread.
I'd like to know if something like a $17 Livingston is worth $10 more than a $7 Rapala (Stopped at Dick's today 
). I have to assume the extra money buys better components, probably a better build and better quality control and hopefully a lure that will run true right out of the box. Actually I expect my Rapalas to run true out of the box. Why should I spend the extra money? Thanks for any input.
WolfyBrandon reply :
You get what you pay for?... Quality?...
Then again, I've payed $2.99 for XCalibur hardbaits that have an amazing paint finish that really holds up and $4 - $5 for things like Strike King KVD stuff that can scratch fairly easy.
I would say do some research before purchasing a bait.
WolfyBrandon
EvanT123 reply :
I don't really look at it as spending extra money. A more expensive bait might have an action different from a less expensive bait and vice versa. I've decided I have enough plastics at this point and have been slowly expanding my hard bait collection. When I research a bait that might fit my fishing style and environment, I look at what potential hole it may fill in my collection.
A recent example for me is the heddon tiny torpedo and broke back rapala. After much reading I decided they are baits that would suit how and where I like to fish. They also have a proven track record. I'm not worried about the hooks or hardware and I won't change them till they are broke. If it was the broke back megabass and lucky craft torpedo at double the price I might have picked them up as well but luckily it's not lol.
Big C reply :
Price doesn't always dictate quality. Livingston Lures can charge a premium for their hi-tech lures that make noise and have flashing lights. Most of the time you can tell if something is truly high quality by three things: hooks, how detailed the paint is, and customer reviews online.
plumworm reply :
You don't "spend much time here" but have 3000+ posts? I've got lures that I purchased back in the 90's with a lot of the finish worn off that still catch fish. I guess I never will understand $18-$400 lures, but that's what makes America great. I just remembered, I did purchase a $18 purple, hand painted jerk bait, from a local shop on Table Rock 15+ years ago. I don't remember if I ever caught a fish on it and it stayed in my jerk bait box until the purple paint wore off. I guess, I have never set a limit by bucks on my lure purchases but over $10 seems like overkill. HERE COMES THE HATE, HERE COMES THE HATE. I just funning, $400 for a "swimbait" really?
A-Jay reply :
The more you spends on fishing lures - the more the Bait Monkey will like you.
A-Jay
bigturtle reply :
Expensive lures can be expensive for several reasons such as:
BLING BLING!
Is it hand made?
Is it imported?
Does it use high quality/expensive materials?
Is it time consuming to make?
Does it have a very unique action?
Uber durability?
Size?
Paying for brand?
Uber realistic finish? (Megabass anyone?)
Rarity?
High tech?
Versatility?
Innovation? (Kamooki Smartfish vs regular lipless?)
Why you might want to spend more:
BLING BLING!
Unique action
Uber realistic finish
Why I spend more:
BLING BLING!
Dylcook91 reply :
They have the magic ability to snap off with ease when snagged:)
everythingthatswims reply :
Prestige. Who wouldn't want to spend $25 on a rico when they could spend $5 on a Pop-R?
I own a couple swimbaits in the $50-$100 range so I'm not in any position to talk about it I guess
Bluebasser86 reply :
In most cases you're going to get better quality components and the bait will be built with better materials, more attention to details, and more R&D will go into making them work perfectly.
I see the value in both sides of the argument. I catch a lot of fish every year on H2O squarebills that I spend $2-$4 apiece on. I also catch a lot of fish on Lucky Craft squarebills and jerkbaits and swimbaits approaching $100 apiece. I enjoy fishing them all.
SirSnookalot reply :
My top price for a bass lure is an Xrap, I catch many on less expensive ones too.
Hogsticker reply :
Aside from the already mentioned better components and build quality, a lot of it is designed to catch the fisherman. Guilty as charged. A few brands of hard baits I've found extreme quality at a reasonable price is Duo Realis, Yo Zuri, and Spro.
Bigchunk reply :
Lucky craft pointers are great, but im realizing i can just about get two x raps for the price of one lc, and work just as well. But i think it depends the type of bait some more than others. Cheap spinnerbaits arnt worth tying on in my opinion. Worst part about the pricy baits is that once you buy high, your not going to go back to the cheaper ones.
HookdUP reply :
The more expensive lures to me just offer a different action and the price point keeps a lot of anglers away sometimes. So it makes the bait that much more rare to the fish
Felix77 reply :
I buy what interests me. While price is something I pay attention to it's not my primary concern.
fishballer06 reply :
Why should I buy a new Benz whenever my Malibu still gets me to work and back? It's all a matter of what you want to spend and what you value your tackle at. Paint/finish quality, hardware and hook quality, country of manufacture, sponsored professionals, details, tuning, etc. So many things can go into a bait. Just like whenever you're buying a car.
Heron reply :
Large price tags on 'conventional' lures, for me, are Heron repellent. I can understand if the bait is a large size, or is something fairly unique. But, a $25 bait in favor of a $6 bait, of the same type? - no way.
But my perspective is probably unique, in that It depends not what I value my tackle at, but instead, what I value the fish at. And the average Largemouth Bass, as a species, by my reckoning, is not worth the use of a $25+ bait. Not unless maybe...youre getting into some exceptionally larger fish.
But thats just me.
Master Bait'r reply :
You know why I do it?
Because I like it. I want to open my tackle box and see every gleaming piece of hardware my heart desires looking back at me, ready to do my bidding. Perfect colors, actions, function, rattles and components- all of them. I work my hands to the bone in a really tough trade and I don't even want a lot back out of life- but the things I do enjoy like skiing and fishing I will not dilute my pursuit of simply to entertain someone else's satisfaction paradigm.
Sexy baits that tickle your fancy are their own reason. If someone has a problem with my collection, I'd have to remind them that the problem is theirs and theirs alone. 
One of my favorite quotes is from Robert Fritz:
"If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise."
roadwarrior reply :
Collecting tackle is just fun!
Heck, I don't fish most of what I already own,
but I know there is some new stuff I need.
bassmaster8100 reply :
On 2/25/2015 at 10:05 AM, new2BC4bass said:Probably been asked many times, but this is a forum I never visit.....but plan on spending more time here as my rod and reel arsenal is now more than big enough. Checked a couple pages, and didn't see any similar thread.
I'd like to know if something like a $17 Livingston is worth $10 more than a $7 Rapala (Stopped at Dick's today
). I have to assume the extra money buys better components, probably a better build and better quality control and hopefully a lure that will run true right out of the box. Actually I expect my Rapalas to run true out of the box. Why should I spend the extra money? Thanks for any input.
The Livingston bait you're referring to contains technology that no other lure on the market does with their electronic baitfish sound. The new multitouch which is the one that is around $17 can be used with either the original baitfish sound, a shad sound, a crawfish sound or can be silent. Does that make it worth $10 more? I say yes. I just picked up a few of the multitouch but haven't used them yet. I have quite a few of the original dive masters with the EBS technology which are around $12. They're worth it for sure I catch more fish and better quality fish since I started using them.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 2/26/2015 at 7:53 AM, bassmaster8100 said:The Livingston bait you're referring to contains technology that no other lure on the market does with their electronic baitfish sound. The new multitouch which is the one that is around $17 can be used with either the original baitfish sound, a shad sound, a crawfish sound or can be silent. Does that make it worth $10 more? I say yes. I just picked up a few of the multitouch but haven't used them yet. I have quite a few of the original dive masters with the EBS technology which are around $12. They're worth it for sure I catch more fish and better quality fish since I started using them.
Excellent. I didn't know the Livingston name until I stopped at Dick"s. Thanks for the info.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 2/25/2015 at 11:42 AM, plumworm said:You don't "spend much time here" but have 3000+ posts? I've got lures that I purchased back in the 90's with a lot of the finish worn off that still catch fish. I guess I never will understand $18-$400 lures, but that's what makes America great. I just remembered, I did purchase a $18 purple, hand painted jerk bait, from a local shop on Table Rock 15+ years ago. I don't remember if I ever caught a fish on it and it stayed in my jerk bait box until the purple paint wore off. I guess, I have never set a limit by bucks on my lure purchases but over $10 seems like overkill. HERE COMES THE HATE, HERE COMES THE HATE. I just funning, $400 for a "swimbait" really?
That's right. "Here" referred to this particular forum. 99.9% of my posts are in Rods, Reels & Lines.
new2BC4bass reply :
I wasn't putting anybody down for spending big bucks on lures. As the title stated, I was looking for any added benefits the more expensive lures might have over the less expensive ones. I am aware that you get what you pay for....usually. I also know there are still some bargains to be had. I read good things about the LC Pointers, but if there are cheaper ones that work as well, I'd rather spend less than more.
I have a lot more rods and reels than I need. Hasn't stopped me from adding more. I am sure the same could be said for a lot of you and your lure collections. Lures are one thing I have where a lot still sit unused in their bag or box. I do need to add some more to have a more rounded tackle bag....both literally and figuratively.
fisherrw reply :
I think spros have an amazing finish that never chips that's why I buy them. They are expensive
Preytorien reply :
I think the same sort of question could be asked of any hobby/sport/activity. You can take it to the level you wish, and manufacturers of all kinds cater to all budgets. I have a good mix of price points, except Depps and Roman Made and such. But you can bet that if I lived in S. Cali I'd probably have some of those too. I think some of it is the "you get what you pay for" addage, but then again I have no name cheap lures that catch fish just fine. I think it's more for me. I'm confident if I'm throwing a bait that I am assured that a lot of research and quality control went into it (after all that's my profession).
This also comes from the guy who's racing bicycle cost more than his first 3 cars put together.
scaleface reply :
Bagleys use to be the high priced lures.I didnt like paying 5 dollars for a Killer B then bounce it off a bridge piling. I learned real quick that Bombers model A's also caught bass off bridge pilings .
*Hootie reply :
If it works, I don't care if it only costs fifty cents and is made in Kentucky.
No offense Kentucky.
Hootie
Chief 2 reply :
The cost of the exensive lures is to offset the big $$ they are paying the pros to talk about them.
SirSnookalot reply :
On 2/27/2015 at 9:31 PM, Chief 2 said:The cost of the exensive lures is to offset the big $$ they are paying the pros to talk about them.
How much can most lures really cost to manufacture with materials bought wholesale and in volume.
new2BC4bass reply :
On 2/27/2015 at 9:08 PM, *Hootie said:If it works, I don't care if it only costs fifty cents and is made in Kentucky.
No offense Kentucky.
Hootie
I had the same thought about Missouri.
No offense Missouri.
Jsinkic reply :
A lot of high priced companies build the low price stuff. I have bought a $2.99 jerkbait from Cabela's that suspense great and has great action
and then I have bought higher priced stuff that doesn't do what the $2.99. I would say if you see something you like buy it and go from there.
If the product is go continue to buy from that brand even though it might cost half the price. Price doesn't always dictate quality.
dumfish reply :
Randy Howell won the 2014 bass masters classic on the last day using DT rapala crank and only went to the Livingston crank because he felt the fish were deeper than the DT would go. Wa-la a million dollar lure was born.
AQUA VELVA reply :
Any bass lure over $10. is a deal killer for me. Unless there is hard evidence that $25. lures will consistently out fish cheaper ones, I just won't go there.
Angry John reply :
I don't think many lures are priced on production cost. Research, advertising, company name, operational expenses like pros. Does that bother me, nope. I do have limits but will pay for quality. For me a few companies like duo and lucky craft meet the mark. Megabass is just to rich for me, but I am happy that they ate around because others, enjoy there products and they do make a beautiful lure. I took the leap into the higher priced lures because they had clear plastics with external paint that were partially translucent. They work well for me in very clear water. To be fair the kvd 1.0 bluegill is also great for the same reason.On 2/27/2015 at 10:22 PM, SirSnookalot said:How much can most lures really cost to manufacture with materials bought wholesale and in volume.
gobig reply :
I don't buy expensive baits because of the hardware. That gets changed out 90 percent of the time. You can't compare an xrap to a LC pointer. Two totally different baits. How ever both are good and have their time and place. The biggest thing with higher dollar baits is the consistentcy. They are more likely to perform the same way. For instance if you bought ten s-waivers there not going to have the same sink rates or action. If you bought ten deps slide swimmers with the same tune they will be extremely close. This is the reason you see guys with a favorite bait that seems to out perform others of the same make and model.
Mattlures reply :
On 2/25/2015 at 11:50 PM, Heron said:Large price tags on 'conventional' lures, for me, are Heron repellent. I can understand if the bait is a large size, or is something fairly unique. But, a $25 bait in favor of a $6 bait, of the same type? - no way.
But my perspective is probably unique, in that It depends not what I value my tackle at, but instead, what I value the fish at. And the average Largemouth Bass, as a species, by my reckoning, is not worth the use of a $25+ bait. Not unless maybe...youre getting into some exceptionally larger fish.
But thats just me.
This is one of the very few accurate posts on this subject. If you assume your getting better components or a better quality lure because you spent $15 instead of $8 your probably wrong. What makes one better then the other? probably nothing. Price does not dictate which bait is better. The manufacturer decides what they need to charge to make the amount of profit they need to make on that specific bait. The exception comes when A huge demand developes and the manufacturer can charge much more. But on regular low priced baits from $5- $20, Higher priced baits does not mean higher quality. Now when you start talking hand made, custom baits, or limited supply then the higher price usually means higher quality.
SirSnookalot reply :
There's a human factor, that being the more money one spends the more they try and justify the expense, both to themselves as well as others.
I enjoy using a waxwing, not a cheap lure and it does catch fish. But does it catch more than anything else I use, probably not. The fact is I catch more fish on other lures simply because I use others more often. As I'm throwing only 1 lure at a time, I contribute the strike more to timing of being in the right place at the right time, than the specific lure itself.
Durability, longevity, paint finish, etc. are anything but important to me, the only important thing is catching fish. If I'm catching fish it's just matter of time until I lose any lure on a cut off or a snag. I fish offensively, I'm not there to protect my lures from loss.
primetime reply :
I think some expensive lures for me have been great, some were a let down, I still have a place for all lures, but I am happy and have noticed thatAmericdan Companies that were stale for years, house brands etc have stepped up quality and for $5 you get more today than 5 years ago in many cases..
I see owner hooks on average priced lures, good paint, and some new designs as well, I notice we have gained better colors and detail from the Japanese so I like that I can get better lures since Pradco was getting crushed by companies like Spro, Strike King, Jackall, and I am not talking Lucky and up but rebel and norman have some cool stuff out this year and each year bass pro makes a better lure etc.
ABW reply :
Expensive lures have some of the greatest paint jobs, but a disadvantage is a lot of swearing after you lose one.
primetime reply :
Plus nothing looks better when loading up for a than a box full of Sebile hardbaits and some Ima, Lucky, Jackall, Imakatsu and a few randoms even if I am scared to cast them and lose them. I would never say a lure is better than another, just different and depends who is using it and how...Rapala is quality, Bomber is quality, Smithwick, Spro, Strike King, Jackall, Megabass, Lucky...all have different actions and what I may perceive as overpriced may seem underpriced to the guy killing big bass on it because maybe I didn't give it a fair shot, or was not casting close enough to cover which is an issue when I throw expensive cranks over $10, hate losing them, but if you are not banging and grinding your $20 squarebill, you probably will be good with the xcal's.
pbizzle reply :
Heck, being 15, I have a completely different opinion on what a "cheap" lure is. I have to buy what I can afford, so that means even $7-$10 baits like Rapala's are out of the question at times. However, I never buy anything I don't feel like is quality. That means my box is full of a lot of H2O Xpress, Strike King, Norman, Bandit, etc. Not to say that I don't have some higher end baits that I enjoy fishing with, but I honestly can't say that they're "better" baits. I'm not so sure that a bass can tell the difference between a "hand painted" crankbait and a run of the mill Strike King lure, but it's fun to think that they can.
matuka reply :
The bottom line for me is whether I know that a certain pricey bait is catching fish where I fish. And pricey is obviously relative. Where I fish you likely will catch more fish on a LC pointer than an X-rap. So I pay the price. Unfortunately I've seen my catch rate go up even more if I'm throwing a MegaBass 110. So I pay the price. Thankfully I've also found I can catch fish on the Delta or Clearlake on the economical Trick worm and don't need the pricier handpours. So I let someone else pay the price. Right now you can't get your hands on any S Waver 168's. they art probably catching the same fish and keeping up with the more pricey gliders. How many times have we heard "let the fish talk to you". I just wish I could listen better.
plumworm reply :
What bothers me the most, is the fact that the pro's promote a lure company and then also promote that after you've spent $6-$10 on a lure you need to spend another $2 to replace the hooks on the lure. Strike King/ KVD is perfect example. Buy a "red eye shad" and then replace the new hooks with the " ultra sharp, ultra cool, super bass catching, Mustad +/- 2x short/long almost red, KVD approved hooks". Just put the right hooks on the lure to began with and charge for the upgrade and quit the hype.
Angry John reply :
The kvd square bills and xd baits come with good hooks. I would not call them premium but good. Bps baits on the other hand come with garbage.
SirSnookalot reply :
The question does arise are hard lures cheaper or more expensive. The definitive answer doesn't exist, true a hard lure can last for years but it can be lost on the very first outing or even first cast. Plastics are constantly being replaced, what ever is used is going cost money in both the short and long term.
Angry John reply :
Plastics are very expensive and if your not repairing them it will cost a ton. Mendit might just be gold in a bottle.
Angry John reply :
All this cost of expence and no one has mentioned the roman mother or 3:16 baits. Do swim bait guys just accept the cost of doing business or are they just so far out there people don't even look. I will never buy one but many do.
Heron reply :
On 3/9/2015 at 12:55 AM, Angry John said:All this cost of expence and no one has mentioned the roman mother or 3:16 baits. Do swim bait guys just accept the cost of doing business or are they just so far out there people don't even look. I will never buy one but many do.
Yes, they are so far out there.
bassinyea reply :
To answer the original question.....Because they are awesome and when you catch fish on them it makes you feel awesome. Obviously I am not talking about all of the expensive stuff out there, I see some really expensive baits that I would never ever throw.
OK Bass Hunter reply :
It's an image thing for me. Why settle for a $6 crankbait, when I can use a $20 crankbait.
murphy13 reply :
On 3/9/2015 at 1:08 PM, OK Bass Hunter said:It's an image thing for me. Why settle for a $6 crankbait, when I can use a $20 crankbait.
Keep your $20 crank bait
So I can beat you with my rebel craw... =)
SirSnookalot reply :
On 3/9/2015 at 12:55 AM, Angry John said:All this cost of expence and no one has mentioned the roman mother or 3:16 baits. Do swim bait guys just accept the cost of doing business or are they just so far out there people don't even look. I will never buy one but many do.
I don't think swimbait users are far out, that's the genre they prefer and many seem to enjoy it. I'm not against it all, but for me there is no interest. The waters I fish are not the most conducive for those kinds of lures, I don't care to use a heavy needed rod to cast them. I've got my niche, when it comes to bass fishing a $10 xrap is about my limit.
scaleface reply :
I like free lures. I found a Storm Rattlin Thin Fin off an exposed stump last year. This lure is all chewed up. It was a favorite of somebody . Its got brand new hooks now and waiting to be put back into action .
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