How Do You Like Bass Pro Shops Lures? 2024
dtruesdell24 reply :
I am going to fill up my tackle box before spring comes. I just got the Bass Pro Shops Spring Angler catalog, and all the Bass Pro lures are cheaper. Do you guys like their lures as much as other big names brands, particularly the crainkbaits? The crankbaits are in some cases $3-$4 less and the soft plastics are a few dollars less per pack. Do their lures have the same action and get the same results.
Dr. Watson reply :
I've never heard anything bad about BPS branded lures, but then again I haven't fished with them either. Their cranks are decent, have a few buddies that use them; but their soft plastics seem dull and cheaply poured to me. I usually stick to Yamamoto, Strike King, Culprit, Reaction Innovations, Netbait, Berkley, and Xcite when it comes to soft plastics.
Edit: I forgot Lake Fork lures too
flyfisher reply :
I have used the bass pro cranks before and they are ok. They usually need some tuning, the finish wears off more quickly and the hooks are total crap, as in i had three different models have them break off when reeling in a fish but other than that, they are ok. For the price they are good but just keep in mind they are not going to be as good as some of the other higher priced baits. Personally i would go up a little in price to the SK cranks but my personal preference is for rapala cranks.
WIGuide reply :
They aren't the top of the line by any means, but they aren't bad. They're a pretty good value. Ones to avoid though would be the really cheap ones.
geo g reply :
BPS plastics are just as good as anyone's. BPS's senko type baits are cheaper, quantities are twice as much, and they catch loads of fish. Will not pay yamoto prices for the same results.
Fishes in trees reply :
I'm not a big fan of the BPS cranks, tuning issues more than anything else. I fish square bills more than all the other cranks put together. It is hard to get a Timber Tiger out of tune. I did like the BPS Balsa Boogie when I needed to get a little deeper than my DC8 would go (even though its made out of plastic, its a copy of a balsa bait), but it is discontinued now, at least it isn't in the 2014 Master Catalog.
smallies24/7 reply :
Their XPS rattle shad is my favorite Lipless crank over Xcaliburs, red eye shads, and rat l traps.
Toeshots reply :
Haven't tried their cranks or plastics but I did buy one of their bass jigs and I hated it. The weedguard was really stiff and when I tried to fan it out, the strands would become weakened and snap off. The skirt also had almost no action when I put it in the water.
roadwarrior reply :
Rather than filling up a tackle box, why not just buy a few basics and grow your collection.
I suspect I am pretty typical when it comes to collecting "stuff" verses fishing the lures. I
would guess I probably use less than 5% and a lot of the 95% has never been wet!
Start at the top and work the water column down. Just start with your favorite color.
If you want to stick with BPS, they have their version of just about everything I am
going to suggest in this thread.
Top: Pop-R, Zara Spook and Puppy, Sammy, Jitter Bug, Original Floating Rapala and Dare Devil
Jerkbaits: Smithwick Rogue and Rapala X-Rap XR06
1'-5' Bomber Square A, LC 2.5, Bandit 200, Wiggle Wart and Red Eye Shad
5'-10' Rapala Shad Rap SR06 or 07, Silver Buddy and the Red Eye Shad fits here, too
10+ Fat Free Shad and DD22
Other lures I like: Berkley Hollow Belly or Shadalicious, spinnerbaits (white, chartreuse and white & chartreuse)
That will get you started, save some money and I'll bet you fish them all!
MCS reply :
BPS Spinnerbaits are pretty good for around $5 bucks, the sure do beat many others at that price.
dtruesdell24 reply :
On 1/26/2014 at 4:49 AM, roadwarrior said:Rather than filling up a tackle box, why not just buy a few basics and grow your collection.
I suspect I am pretty typical when it comes to collecting "stuff" verses fishing the lures. I
would guess I probably use less than 5% and a lot of the 95% has never been wet!
Start at the top and work the water column down. Just start with your favorite color.
If you want to stick with BPS, they have their version of just about everything I am
going to suggest in this thread.
Top: Pop-R, Zara Spook and Puppy, Sammy, Jitter Bug, Original Floating Rapala and Dare Devil
Jerkbaits: Smithwick Rogue and Rapala X-Rap XR06
1'-5' Bomber Square A, LC 2.5, Bandit 200, Wiggle Wart and Red Eye Shad
5'-10' Rapala Shad Rap SR06 or 07, Silver Buddy and the Red Eye Shad fits here, too
10+ Fat Free Shad and DD22
Other lures I like: Berkley Hollow Belly or Shadalicious, spinnerbaits (white, chartreuse and white & chartreuse)
That will get you started, save some money and I'll bet you fish them all!
Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't make my original post clear and i think you may have misunderstood me a little. When I said fill it up, I meant just add some missing pieces as opposed to filling an empty tackle box. I have the Pop-R, 3 rapala floating minnows(which i use mainly for trout fishing), a jitterbug and a daredevil. No lure really stays untouched for me. To fill it up, I need about 6-8 crainkbaits (a few shallow diving, a few medium diving, and a few rat-l traps) and probably a similar amount of soft plastic bags.
*Hootie reply :
On 1/26/2014 at 5:22 AM, MCS said:BPS Spinnerbaits are pretty good for around $5 bucks, the sure do beat many others at that price.
In spinnerbaits, I have War eagle, Strikeking, Booyah, yet BPS Lazer Eye spinnerbaits are my best producers.
Hootie
Felix77 reply :
Not impressed with their line of baits in general. I tend to avoid the marginal price difference and buy something which is of better quality.
roadwarrior reply :
Okay, I understand. Here are some other things I consider "must have".
MegaStrike Cavitron and Mega Tube Craw
Rage Tail Toad, Menace, Shellcracker, Eeliminator, Baby Craw and Craw, Lizard, Thumper and Cut-R
GYCB Senko and Fat Ika
YUM Houdini Shad
tomustang reply :
Their hardbaits are where it's at, the XPS cranks are hard to beat with good hooks, nice finishes, and good color options. The jerkabits are proving to be the same since we've been using them more recently.
Dyerbassman reply :
Berkley soft plastics have always worked well for me, and they won't break the bank. The Havoc Pit Boss has caught me many bass!
By the way, BPS has some of their cranks as their Catch of the Week right now online. You may want to jump on it if you decide to go that route!
Jay Ell Gee reply :
I throw the new BPS "nitro" squarebill as well as the shadallac. The nitro squarebill is pretty serious quality for the money.
K_Mac reply :
I am big fan of many Bass Pro branded products. I have also tried many that have not measured up. When it comes to inexpensive crankbaits I much prefer Bandit or Strike King. When it comes to finesse plastics, creatures and worms, Zoom is usually my choice. For craws and chunks, Net bait Pacas are my go-to. For beaver baits I often use BPS River Bugs in both sizes. They are a cheaper alternative to RI baits that work nearly as well as the original. I have used many pounds of Stick-os over the years and find them a great alternative to the more expensive name brands.
I do think RW list is a good one. If money was not an issue I would stick to quality name brands for most of my fishing needs. Necessity has caused me to explore other alternatives. I know when I try a BPS branded item that it may not work as well the product it is patterned after. For the difference in price I am often willing to take the chance. Buy a few items and give them a try is my recommendation. Enjoy the process! Good luck.
AK-Jax86 reply :
I like the BPS Boss Shad swim baits a lot. That's basically the only BPS item I use other than that I opt for the "name brands"
Teal reply :
I'm not crazy about alot of their hard lures. I've tried a few of the square bills and top water walkers and I was not at all impresses. Now some of their soft plastics on the other hand, have done well for me. Their Stick O and their take on horny toad is pretty dang good. Their finess worms are ok too!
Nothing against BPS, I just enjoyb the trusted quality of some of the lure manufacturers that make it their business to nothing but produce hard lures. Lucky Craft, Rapala, Smithwick, Spro, Norman, Bandit, and Strike king are kinda what I stick to. And some of those brands aren't perfect either...it is what it is...
dtruesdell24 reply :
On 1/26/2014 at 6:24 AM, roadwarrior said:Okay, I understand. Here are some other things I consider "must have".
MegaStrike Cavitron and Mega Tube Craw
Rage Tail Toad, Menace, Shellcracker, Eeliminator, Baby Craw and Craw, Lizard, Thumper and Cut-R
GYCB Senko and Fat Ika
YUM Houdini Shad
Thanks. My tackle are lures that I know work. I just have different colors and sizes of those lures.
Tylertut reply :
I am a huge fan of their XPS Rattle Shad. The shape is a good one and I have done very well with smallmouth on them in the past. The inline spinners they have for just under $2 aren't bad either. The only complaint I have though is that hooks on the Rattle Shad are not very good and I have had many break on me. So I would suggest replacing them out of the box or carrying some extra trebles on you, just incase.
iabass8 reply :
I've never tried them, but I've always read a lot of good things about the BPS stickbait/senko baits.
ww2farmer reply :
I know some people who swear by the BPS tender tubes, in some smallmouth circles around here ,it's almost a cult like following........personally I don't like them. They are poorly made, and not really all that cheap, a 10 pack is $4.49. Several other brands are made better and cost less, like the original Gitzit. I also tried the BPS version of the Jackall Flick shake worms, they were cheaper than the Jackall's, but IDK how they managed to make them LESS DURABLE than the Jackall worms, but they did. They were so fragile they would FALL OFF the hook almost every cast. I am not complain about bait durability guy, but that was rediculous. I have fished there senko knockoffs, and IMHO, they are one of the WORST knock offs, stiff and life-less.. I like their lazer eye spinner baits and buzzbaits.........good bang for the buck, never used their hardbaits.
Trek reply :
I got tired of not finding exactly what I was looking for. They always had something close. And then you would order it and it look different then in the pictures or the size was wrong. And the cost ! At the beginning of the season I would order 20 bags of jig trailers. One missed hook set and a claw would be missing. So about ten years ago I started making my own baits. Jigs, spinner baits, buzz baits, chatter baits, shaky heads and even injection plastics. For about the last three years if I catch a fish on it then I made it. Now I fish with a much better product and the exact color and style I want. And no more out of stock later in the season. I just make another one.
Fastmover3 reply :
Bps stuff is a noticeably lower quality. I would rather buy 2 good lures than 4 cheap ones. Quality does not cost it pays. It may take a little longer to get a collection but you will have good tackle.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I like their plastics but not their hardbaits. If you're looking for cranks and other hard baits that are cheap yet effective I'd be looking at the Academy H2O line up way before I'd consider the BPS cranks. I've had some of their baits and they're always a pain to tune, the finish stinks, and you have to change the hooks out which negates the price a little bit right there. Just my opinion though, I know some guys that love them and fish very few other baits.
Bankbeater reply :
I have used their chuggers, wakebaits, and plastics with no problems. I don't use their jigs any longer. There are other jigs out there that are better for the money.
moguy1973 reply :
All I pretty much use is BPS 4" tubes and 5" stick-o's. Catch just as many fish as GY that cost twice as much and they last a little longer since they aren't as soft. As for cranks the XPS line has smaller and cheaper hooks than comparable cranks but change them out and they catch fish.
Fish Murderer 71 reply :
I buy em for my kids, so they can have a full tackle box, when I've tried all my lures and still haven't caught a fish I might try their tackle, but as for cheap tackle, I choose not to use it as a primary go-to...
McAlpine reply :
Some of the BPS soft plastics are a good buy and get you most of the action you will get from a name brand. Not all...but most. I buy the snot out of their senko knock off.
The hardbaits are mostly pretty crappy. You can make them better but you need to replace hooks and maybe split rings, touch up paint as they wear fast. Even after you do this though, generally they have no density. They are light, hollow, cheap. So if you are fishing a constant moving action with them they can be ok. If you want to stop a bait they rise to the surface like a bobber. This also affects the action in many cases.
So, yeah like everyone else i have a few because they are cheap. I play around with them and have caught fish on them. Not going to say not to buy them but I would never suggest you fill a box with these. Maybe get a couple if you like the look but save your money and buy fewer quality baits and you will be happier.
Pike fishing is a great use for these. I dont want to throw a MB oneten at pike. A BPS stick bait or spinner bait in loud colors however at a couple bucks ea...catch pike who are not real picky all day long. When they get chewed up, chuck 'em.
bartdude186 reply :
H2O express! much better quality, better action out of the box (the "Premium" series are even tank tested every lure), 90% of the time cheaper,and VMC hooks. i bought a few on a whim and not too long later my box was full of them. BPS brand is sub-par IMO.
Team9nine reply :
Don't own many BPS lures for the most part, but I do have to admit, their discontinued Stud Fry was absolutely one of the best plastics I've ever thrown on the lakes around here. Definitely a "must-have" in these parts - all the best local tourney sticks threw them. I know they were very popular down in Texas, too. Bought a huge supply when I found out they were being discontinued.
-T9
NorthernAnglers reply :
Id have to say you get what u pay for...i have a few bps lures from jerk bait and cranks...hook upgrades are a must right out a package and running true is tough u have to find one speed or up to the top she comes..... for soft plastics i bought one of their "kits" and everything is dense and "stiff" ...there craws just don't move like berkley power baits or rage tails...and that's huge with plastics for me is the ease of action it can give. for worm style baits i cant give an opinion since i don't fish worm styled 
michael68w reply :
I haven't used much of their hard baits but I do like their tender tubes as well as some of their worms. I haven't had any issues with how they are molded. They have a good color selection and the value is great.
wisconsin heat reply :
In my experience Bass Pro's Stick-O is a dynamite lure. I like the 5 3/8" size; it makes it cast a TON farther and doesn't make the lure look too big for the bass in my area. Its my favorite stick bait, bass can't stay off of the watermelon red either. I also like the 3 inch stick-o when drop shotting or finessing panfish/ really small bass. I haven't tried many other of their lures, but some terminal tackle like flick-shake jigheads and weighted hooks seemed to work fine from them.
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