I'm not new to fishing. But I am new to spending more than 10 dollars for a single lure (more like 20 with lucky craft) I usually fish medium sized farm ponds and some decent sized lakes. I'm not over confident, but generally catch fish when I go fishing. I've noticed the lucky craft lures and have been reading about how the pros use them and such. But for a young father on a budget , would it be worth me trying one ? If so. What would you recommend . ?
No lure, regardless of price, will catch fish if you don't put it in the right place, at the right time. I was like you and questioned whether Lucky Craft baits were worth the price. I was on a spring fishing trip fishing for prespawn smallmouth when my fishing partner was out fishing me by a wide margin. He was using an LC Pointer. Other lures were catching fish but not nearly as many as the bait he was using. When I started using them, my catch rate went up drastically. In those conditions, the LC's were worth every nickel. For you, all I can tell you is buy a couple and give them a try. Or, use what you catch them on now and save your money.
Lucky Craft is a great company with VERY productive lures.
In your situation I'd say it isn't worth the money for the type of fishing you do. When it comes to cranks and hard baits in general, you don't pay for how many fish you are going to catch, you pay for what you actually get. When it comes to a Lucky Craft bait, you are getting better finishes as well as better hardware like hooks and split rings and the labor cost which is higher than Chinese made baits. The attention to detail is higher on Lucky Craft baits and the consistency from bait to bait is a lot better than others and those are the kinds of things that give an avid angler confidence and if you have more confidence it leads to catching more fish. Now me personally, the cranks are good but I have used a lot of great ones that are less money, but the jerkbaits have a place in my box, they suspend really well over a wider range of temperatures than most cheaper baits, and I've had days in which the only jerkbait you could get bit on was a Pointer, so to me some are worth the money but I'm an avid angler, I was a more casual angler I'd probably not spend that kind of money on a lure.
They are very nice lures, however. I only own one, and that's because I got it on sale. LC Pointers are awesome jerkbaits though. Main reason I only have one being the odds of a pickerel chewing off a smaller sized crank/jerkbait is fairly high, and it's not worth the risk to me, especially being in school still and not having a ton of money to spend. Whether you are using a 3 dollar bargain bin bait, or a 25 dollar "high end" one, the thing that will most impact your success is your own skills and knowledge with that type of lure. Simply upgrading from a strike king 1.5 to a Megabass Knuckle isn't going to make you a better squarebill fisherman, or dramatically increase your chances of catching fish. The reason people are willing to pay premium for those baits is their extreme detail and quality components. Whether a 5x price increase is worth it for a higher quality bait, that's for you to decide. If I was in your situation I would say no, I might get one to try but I certainly wouldn't be upgrading my whole arsenal.
Have any of you guys tried the lightning pointer? It looks pretty close to the regular pointers for only 8.99, but is the action the same?
Opinion on lucky craft ? Are they worth it?
I can't speak for every bait Lucky Craft makes, but my modest LC Jerkbait collection is based on results.
"Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess."
A-Jay
On 8/6/2016 at 6:26 AM, A-Jay said:Opinion on lucky craft ? Are they worth it?
I can't speak for every bait Lucky Craft makes, but my modest LC Jerkbait collection is based on results.
"Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess."
A-Jay
Do like the lightning pointer?
No not a chance you "need" to pay that price for a lure. Those same pros you mention also use $80,000.00 boats too but they are absolutely not necessary. Those sponsors covering those boats want you to believe every thing they use or say they use is golden. That is how they make $. Be real if that company didn't exist AJ would still be holding fish up. He wouldn't not catch fish if $20 lures weren't available. And the pros, well they would still be catching fish selling you on something else. Take care of your kid wife family etc money is obviously not falling off trees your on a budget.
AJ I dont see a black one ???
On 8/6/2016 at 6:35 AM, IndianaFinesse said:Do like the lightning pointer?
If you're referring to the Lucky Craft Lightning Pointer XR ~ I do not own any, so I have no experienced based info to pass.
That bait is presented as a "Slow Sink" lure. For most if not all of my jerk bait fishing - that would not be a desirable or effective characteristic.
A-Jay
On 8/6/2016 at 6:39 AM, S. Sass said:AJ I dont see a black one ???
Exactly.
A-Jay
If you think they are worth it, then they are worth it 100%. Lucky Craft has lures that are priced in the same range as Strike King like the New Gunfish 117 and the Gunfish is worth every penny at $12-$15, now at $8, yea they are worth it.
They make a lipless crank bait that can do something no other lure can do in the weeds, The LV series is a great bait and you can find them on sale at Cabelas at times for $7, but they flat out work great. Sammy is a good lure, and I know guys who love suspending jerkbaits will only fish a Pointer when they want an erratic action.
I am not a brand name guy, but I have no doubt that the 2 Flash minnow's I own are 2 of my best lures I own, I paid maybe $12 each, and too me, I will pay for lures that can do things most other lures cant. The Flash minnow in Floating is just hard to beat and I would also say Lucky Craft has become much more competitive with their pricing. They have made some misses, but usually they have winning lures. You can't go wrong with any LC lure on the market today that has a following, they run perfect out of the package and details are awesome. If you don't own a Gunfish you are missing out on an Essential topwater lure that seems to out fish other lures that are similar looking. Not sure why, must be sound imo. They do tons of testing.
At the end of the day, you need confidence, if it takes a Lucky Craft lure to give you that confidence than it is worth it. I have a few lures that are expensive and probably over priced, But I believe in them, so that makes them worth it for me. Hope that helps, but at the same time, don't assume you will do better on a LC lipless vs. a Bill Lewis or Strike king if just starting out. Make sure you know why a lure sells for 4x the price of other's. The LC series corrects itself to help it navigate weeds which saves your arms if ripping traps in grass for example, plus if water is clear, LC colors are money.
btw ~ If one was actually considering procuring one (or more) of these most effective baits, I would highly recommend the below establishment.
See attacked Link ~ http://stores.ebay.com/I-Love-Hard-Bait/Pointer-BFreeze-/_i.html?_fsub=476785011&_sid=270166761&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
3 (or more) baits purchased gets you fast free shipping ~
A-Jay
On 8/6/2016 at 6:57 AM, A-Jay said:btw ~ If one was actually considering procuring one (or more) of these most effective baits, I would highly recommend the below establishment.
See attacked Link ~ http://stores.ebay.com/I-Love-Hard-Bait/Pointer-BFreeze-/_i.html?_fsub=476785011&_sid=270166761&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
3 (or more) baits purchased gets you fast free shipping ~
A-Jay
Hey, do you know of any Lucky Craft Jerkbait that is either a suspender or Floater that only dives maybe 1-2'? I don't think they make the Flash minnow anymore and I was about to order some new floaters and shallow suspenders for fishing over weeds in the end of summer and into fall, and I wanted to try some new lures. What is the New LC lure that works well, you seem to know your jerkbaits based on your photo? Impressive collection, I can tell which ones seem to get used the most. Thanks in advance, it is hard to find floaters or shallow suspenders that are different than the standard stuff.
I have had some LC baits that were truly outstanding and the pointer is one of those. the Sammy is a great bait also.
LC's have actually come down in price since they were first introduced, they are much more mainstream in price.
It's true though that they were the company that broke the price barrier. They taught the other bait companies that anglers would indeed pay a premium for a truly great lure. It seems like all the hard baits have gone way up in price.
On 8/6/2016 at 7:02 AM, primetime said:Hey, do you know of any Lucky Craft Jerkbait that is either a suspender or Floater that only dives maybe 1-2'? I don't think they make the Flash minnow anymore and I was about to order some new floaters and shallow suspenders for fishing over weeds in the end of summer and into fall, and I wanted to try some new lures. What is the New LC lure that works well, you seem to know your jerkbaits based on your photo? Impressive collection, I can tell which ones seem to get used the most. Thanks in advance, it is hard to find floaters or shallow suspenders that are different than the standard stuff.
Hey, the LUCKY CRAFT Pointer/B'Freeze 128F is built for catching big fish. It's an ultra-buoyant, shallower running versions of Lucky Craft’s famous Pointer series. http://www.ebay.com/itm/LUCKY-CRAFT-JAPAN-Pointer-BFreeze-128F-Moko-04360746-Katakuchi-/141802808559?hash=item21041b24ef
Incidentally, I know of at least one LC Jerkbait Collection ( also a BR Forum Member) who's truly impressive collection makes mine look like the lame starter kit that it is.
A-Jay
LC is a no-brainier yes. Phenomenal build quality, awesome finishes, on-point function and significantly cheaper than Megabass. Aurora shad is one of my all time favorite color patterns.
Bid your time and look for sales all my pointers were purchased at dicks sporting goods for $7.50 a piece. Cabelas had some cranks on sale at one point for about $5-6 a piece.
Ha-ha . I didn't know what I was getting into posting this ! All will be considered. Thanks
LC squarebill prices have been dropping recently. I picked some up for $7 at DSG a month ago. Not on sale, just their regular price.
For fishing a pond, I don't believe they're worth the price, but in lakes bigger public water, their jerkbaits specifically, are very much worth the money to me.
On 8/6/2016 at 5:54 AM, IndianaFinesse said:Have any of you guys tried the lightning pointer? It looks pretty close to the regular pointers for only 8.99, but is the action the same?
its a completely different action. very loud rattles more eratic twitches
My primary experience with Lucky Craft baits is with Pointers & Sammy's. I think that they are worth the money. My first dose of Lucky Craft baits happened after a fortunate evening at a casino where $60 became $750 in the course of an hour and a half. Being aware that you shouldn't do anything responsible with found money, I immediately spent it all on a collection of Pointers and a couple of Sammy baits.
Since then, I've acquired more, some on sale and some not.
My advice would be that if you have to make a choice between purchasing Lucky Craft baits and feeding and housing your children, buy the baits and let your children forage.
On 8/6/2016 at 6:13 PM, dsqui said:its a completely different action. very loud rattles more eratic twitches
Thanks! Do you like it as much as the pointers and flash minnows?
The only lures lucky craft makes that I would consider far superior and worth the money is their jerkbaits. Don't get me wrong I love all of lucky crafts lures but the ones that stand out as better than the cheaper stuff is jerkbaits. You are paying for their consistency. I use jerkbaits for river smallies in the winter and for that type of fishing you need the bait to suspend perfectly in the water for periods of 20-30 seconds or more. Lucky craft is the only brand I have tried where 9/10 times the bait suspends perfectly right out of the package and runs straight to get there. I have tried other cheaper jerkbaits (1/2 the price) and I have found that 1/10 or so will be perfect out of the package. I do not have the patients to fine tune my baits before I use them on the water every time. therefore I just bite the bullet and spend the extra money on lucky craft.
On 8/7/2016 at 6:18 AM, IndianaFinesse said:Thanks! Do you like it as much as the pointers and flash minnows?
it def has its place in my arsenal of jerkbaits. its one of those baits that are just different but work its def dif then what most people are throwing
On 8/6/2016 at 6:26 AM, A-Jay said:Opinion on lucky craft ? Are they worth it?
I can't speak for every bait Lucky Craft makes, but my modest LC Jerkbait collection is based on results.
"Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess."
A-Jay
I feel privileged to have you comment your opinion. Seem to be a popular dude on here. I've read some of your posts long before I joined this site. I noticed you live or are from Michigan. Ever fished in Muskegon ?
LC makes some nice lures and I own a lot of them. But if you are talking specifically about bank fishing ponds, I'd go with less expensive brands like Strike King, etc.. I fish from a boat and can go and retrieve a LC when I snag it on something. I'd be a little leery of throwing a $15 LC if I couldn't get it back when that happened. And you must be willing to throw hard baits into gnarly cover if you want the best results. When I bought my first LC's, I had a period when I hesitated to cast them into dangerous places. It took me awhile to get over that, until I realized that you have to put crankbaits where the bass are hiding if you want them to work for you. Just because it's a pretty Japanese crankbait doesn't mean bass will swim a mile to bite it. And less expensive brands will get bit just as well in 90% of fishing circumstances.
Considering that most MB and Deps baits are noticeably more expensive I find the price of LC baits to be justified. Most around the $15 mark give or take. I probably have about 40-50 LC hardbaits all together. Most have been bought when retailers have sales, from local swap meets, or from various Buy/Sell boards. Some of the baits I have bought used for as little as $6 a piece.
On 8/9/2016 at 8:18 AM, Yeajray231 said:I've read some of your posts long before I joined this site. I noticed you live or are from Michigan. Ever fished in Muskegon ?
Have not fished in Muskegon, at least not yet.
A-Jay
LuckyCrafts are expensive but they have nice finishes and sharp hooks, and, know that you're not buying junk. I have a few but don't think I've paid full retail for any of them...Cabela's has them on markdown pretty often and I've found a few in local clearance bins.
@A-Jay I was re-reading this post , as I almost bought a pointer the other day. Did you catch all 3 of those on the pointer ? And if you didn't have the pointer , do you think you could have taken them on somethig else ?
On 8/29/2016 at 12:23 AM, Yeajray231 said:@A-Jay I was re-reading this post , as I almost bought a pointer the other day. Did you catch all 3 of those on the pointer ? And if you didn't have the pointer , do you think you could have taken them on somethig else ?
Yes, the fish pictured all hit a LC Pointer (the 128 in fact). LC's line of jerk / rip / slash baits is extensive, haven't fished them all (but I'm working on it). I have a high level of confidence in them all.
As for being able to get the same fish with another bait or presentation, kind of hard to say. But I don't spend much time thinking about it because these work well.
I will add that the SK KVD 300 Jerkbait has been an impressive addition this season (the deep one too).
A-Jay
LC makes very nice baits. High quality and productive all except their swimbaits. Those are way below par.
On 8/29/2016 at 2:38 PM, Mattlures said:LC makes very nice baits. High quality and productive all except their swimbaits. Those are way below par.
I'd agree with that Matt
btw- is there a swimbait brand that you'd recommend ?
(Kidding)
A-Jay
On 8/29/2016 at 4:51 PM, A-Jay said:I'd agree with that Matt
btw- is there a swimbait brand that you'd recommend ?
(Kidding)
A-Jay
There are a few a would recommend, almost all American made with a couple Japanese but not LC