Strike King vs. Googan Baits 2024
Largies4Life reply :
Well, I'll get straight to the point, for those of you who have used both brands, which one do you prefer and why? If price wasn't a factor either, which one would you choose? I've had great success with both, but I am wondering if SK is the way to go due to durability? I'm not here to discuss the Googan Squad because frankly I'm not a fan of them, I just like their baits and they have produced well for me. I haven't used SK since the beginning of the season and can't really tell if one is more durable than the other due to this.
Big Rick reply :
On 7/5/2019 at 3:22 AM, Largies4Life said:I'm not here to discuss the Googan Squad because frankly I'm not a fan of them, I just like their baits and they have produced well for me
When I'm not a fan, I don't monetarily support. There are way too many options otherwise. While their baits may catch a fish they're not that unique.
Largies4Life reply :
On 7/5/2019 at 4:37 AM, Big Rick said:When I'm not a fan, I don't monetarily support. There are way too many options otherwise. While their baits may catch a fish they're not that unique.
That's understandable, I just had the opportunity to fish them and they worked so I'm curious if anyone else had success. My biggest complaint is the durability and since I didn't pay for the baits originally, I don't see a real reason to pay extra for them vs. other brands such as SK.
flywall99 reply :
I fish both brands. Googan baits are good at catching fish but only seem to last 2-3 fish for me. Strike King Rage Bug lasts 4-5. Say what you want about those kids, their baits are real deal fish catchers, durability just sucks.
Largies4Life reply :
On 7/5/2019 at 5:43 AM, flywall99 said:I fish both brands. Googan baits are good at catching fish but only seem to last 2-3 fish for me. Strike King Rage Bug lasts 4-5. Say what you want about those kids, their baits are real deal fish catchers, durability just sucks.
I agree that they do catch fish no problem, I just don't know if they are worth it seeing how they are more expensive and the durability lacks. I just felt like when I got to try them out, we were burning through packs left and right.
pauldconyers reply :
I have found that the SK is more durable but the Googan is softer and has better movement for me. Kind of would you rather have better movement and lose durability and thus spend more or pay a bit more for better movement. No wrong answer, just a personal choice.
TnRiver46 reply :
I use a lot of hand poured soft baits that are way softer than commercial baits. They tend to have much better action and get more bites , yet are less durable. Basically what @pauldconyers said
flywall99 reply :
On 7/5/2019 at 5:53 AM, Largies4Life said:I agree that they do catch fish no problem, I just don't know if they are worth it seeing how they are more expensive and the durability lacks. I just felt like when I got to try them out, we were burning through packs left and right.
To me it comes down to the kind of bait. If your looking at their worms/stick baits, id buy another brand. Its hard to beat zoom worms lol. As for their creature baits, I really like the Trench Hawg. Awesome on a swim jig once it gets tore up, same with the bandito bug. I believe they are coming out with a paddle tail swim bait at some point. Id love to try that and see how it performs compared to keitechs or rhythm waves.
pnwfisherman reply :
At first I thought that Googan Baits was a gimmick, but after using their baits for some time, I actually really love you use them. The Bandito bug and Krackin craw are my favorites. I recommend the Bandito bug heavily because its really versatile and can be used in a bunch of ways (Jig trailer, Texas rig etc). After like two fish Googan baits kinda start to break though, but its worth using more baits to catch more fish. They work really well for me.
jtharris3 reply :
For me Berkeley, Strike King, Missile, Yum, Zoom, and Yamamoto cover 99% of what I ever need. So no need to delve into the new guy on the block.
I especially like the Craw Fatty, D Bomb, Rage Craw, and the 7” Power Worm! Those baits have caught fish consistently for me for years!
Edit: I forgot Reaction Innovations.
Shimano_1 reply :
I'm not a hater at all and I'm quite confident that the googan baits work. I already have a hard time buying rage because of the price. I'm sure not gonna spend more on the googan baits. I'm a big zoom and yum fan. They all catch fish I just dont feel nearly as violated after buying a pack of zoom or yum
Largies4Life reply :
On 7/5/2019 at 6:55 AM, flywall99 said:I believe they are coming out with a paddle tail swim bait at some point. Id love to try that and see how it performs compared to keitechs or rhythm waves.
I love keitechs so it would be interesting to see how the googan ones compare if they do come out with a paddle tail bait!
On 7/5/2019 at 9:11 AM, Shimano_1 said:I'm not a hater at all and I'm quite confident that the googan baits work. I already have a hard time buying rage because of the price. I'm sure not gonna spend more on the googan baits. I'm a big zoom and yum fan. They all catch fish I just dont feel nearly as violated after buying a pack of zoom or yum
Completely understandable. When I first tried out the Rage Series, I couldn't go back. It just seemed like I was out-fishing everyone else when I was using those baits compared to others using different brands in the same style like a craw style bait.
waymont reply :
Concentrating on where you fish would be more beneficial to you then worrying about your soft baits. Save your money and buy Zoom or Yum baits.
Bluebasser86 reply :
Their affiliation with the Googan Squad makes them very unappealing to me. Nothing against them, just a personal preference.
Drew03cmc reply :
On 7/5/2019 at 11:52 AM, Bluebasser86 said:Their affiliation with the Googan Squad makes them very unappealing to me. Nothing against them, just a personal preference.
I agree wholeheartedly.
ChrisD46 reply :
At the Googan price point - I didn't find anything unique or compelling enough to want me to buy say over a brand like Bio Spawn or similar .
MIbassyaker reply :
There are too many other bait companies with proven track records, with baits that have excellent designs, composition, and/or price. Strike King fits that category. Beyond that, there many more other small, under-the-rader, and or local lure-makers, who got into luremaking because they love it and are good at it, and often have something unique to offer.
All of those companies deserve my attention and support more than a bunch of annoying youtube celebrities.
Harold Scoggins reply :
My wife, seeing me drenched in sweat and screaming, wakes me up and asks me if I was having another PTSD episode. "No," I said, "I was just having a nightmare about Googan Baits buying out all my favorite soft plastic companies."
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On 7/5/2019 at 11:52 AM, Bluebasser86 said:Their affiliation with the Googan Squad makes them very unappealing to me. Nothing against them, just a personal preference.
X2
cgolf reply :
On 7/5/2019 at 10:22 AM, waymont said:Concentrating on where you fish would be more beneficial to you then worrying about your soft baits. Save your money and buy Zoom or Yum baits.
At one point I would have agreed with you, but one Rage bait in particular, menace, has just crushed the bass for me the last 2 years and no other bait is close. I actually am not a fan of zoom anymore, due to consistency issues. My 2nd favorite bait being a tube fits the cheap theory, I tend to buy the brand that is cheapest in the colors I want because a tube is a tube. Same with finesse worms I go with the cheapest brand.
I just stock up on the menace when I find them on sale, because there isn't a cheaper bait like it out there. You could say the same about a couple of the googan baits.
Catt reply :
I'm an admitted plastics freak!
When someone puts something out on the market they've peaked my interest.
I throw a lot of different brands, shapes, & colors. I have a couple sacks of Bandito Bugs but that doesn't mean I wanna hang out with the Googan Squad.
But I really don't wanna hang with owners of Strike King either.
Now Big-O that's different...I wanna hang out with that Big O Texan!
TOXIC reply :
The Googans don’t make any baits. They have them made. Find out who makes them and you’ll find probably a lot of others baits made by the same company.
boostr reply :
On 7/6/2019 at 12:58 AM, TOXIC said:The Googans don’t make any baits. They have them made. Find out who makes them and you’ll find probably a lot of others baits made by the same company.
Exactly, was gonna say the same thing. Pretty sure they didn't have any input on them either.
cgolf reply :
On 7/6/2019 at 1:38 AM, boostr said:Exactly, was gonna say the same thing. Pretty sure they didn't have any input on them either.
From what I have heard about that industry is that the company ordering specifies things like salt content, plastic component ratios etc. I know Kalin’s doesn’t pour their own, and probably lots of others.
Largies4Life reply :
Here's an update after having used a pack of the trench hawgs this past weekend. I was primarily throwing brush hogs and decided to give the trench hawg a shot on Saturday morning. I was catching plenty of bass and northerns on the brush hog, but nothing of size. Switched over to the trench hawg and my biggest catches of the day were 2-32" northerns, a 36" northern, and a 21" Largemouth at 4.14 lbs. Maybe it was just a timing thing, but that bait really worked well for me that day!
J Francho reply :
Considering they initially stole the design, I won't be trying any of them, so I'll never know. Personally, I caught 17 LMB yesterday in 4 hours on a T-rigged Rage Craw in Bama Craw color. Weighted with a 1/2 oz. sliding tungsten flipping weight.
boostr reply :
Good for them for making a buck, but it isn't something that hasn't been perfected already. I don't need anymore soft plastics in my life. I'll just stick to my go tos like Rage Tail for example.
cgolf reply :
On 7/8/2019 at 11:06 PM, J Francho said:Considering they initially stole the design, I won't be trying any of them, so I'll never know. Personally, I caught 17 LMB yesterday in 4 hours on a T-rigged Rage Craw in Bama Craw color. Weighted with a 1/2 oz. sliding tungsten flipping weight.
While I will never use them either, they didn't steal the design, didn't they have to pay to use the patent? Then they added some flappers etc. The whole beaver bait market is crowded and all baits are very similar/copies.
Heck, the Rage hawk looks like a brush hog, but don't see the hate for them.
Largies4Life reply :
On 7/8/2019 at 11:06 PM, J Francho said:Considering they initially stole the design, I won't be trying any of them, so I'll never know. Personally, I caught 17 LMB yesterday in 4 hours on a T-rigged Rage Craw in Bama Craw color. Weighted with a 1/2 oz. sliding tungsten flipping weight.
Nice fish! I was running the same thing except with a 3/8 oz. tungsten flipping weight and a bobber stopper on mine. That was the first time I tried the Trench Hawg and I guess it all just comes down to a confidence thing. I have way too much confidence in the rage craw to switch to other craw style baits that perform the same, but I do like how the Trench Hawg works in the water and it is a bigger profile which can help at times for those bigger bites.
J Francho reply :
On 7/8/2019 at 11:40 PM, cgolf said:While I will never use them either, they didn't steal the design, didn't they have to pay to use the patent?
They licensed the patent AFTER it being pointed out them that they copied design. They avoided legal proceedings by licensing.
On 7/8/2019 at 11:45 PM, Largies4Life said:Nice fish! I was running the same thing except with a 3/8 oz. tungsten flipping weight and a bobber stopper on mine.
I use a bobber stopper too, but usually a foot or so above the weight. It helps keep some of the weeds off the bait. Weeds are thick this year, due to idle speed only during the flooding.
Largies4Life reply :
On 7/8/2019 at 11:47 PM, J Francho said:They licensed the patent AFTER it being pointed out them that they copied design. They avoided legal proceedings by licensing.
I use a bobber stopper too, but usually a foot or so above the weight. It helps keep some of the weeds off the bait. Weeds are thick this year, due to idele speed only during the flooding.
So Strike King now has the patent licensed so Googan Baits won't be able to use that patent anymore? Is that why the Googan Baits bait design just recently changed? They changed the style of their appendages and it seems like the baits are less soft and many people are asking questions and they haven't addressed it at all which seems kind of shady...
J Francho reply :
There are a couple of companies that have paid to use the design. I have zero clue about what the Goof-offs plan to do, and don't care. Their tactics and marketing is bush league, in my opinion.
gilkeybr reply :
On 7/5/2019 at 6:04 PM, ChrisD46 said:At the Googan price point - I didn't find anything unique or compelling enough to want me to buy say over a brand like Bio Spawn or similar .
What if I told you the company that makes Googan Squad baits is the same company that makes Bio Spawn baits? The president of each "brand" is the same!
To the OPs question, to reiterate all the other opinions, the durability of the GS baits flat out stinks IMO. You can even see it in their own videos (which I generally do find entertaining) that they are constantly having to re-rig due to torn up baits or lost appendages.
They were fun to try, but I won't be getting anymore. I prefer the rage plastics if I had to chose between the two
Largies4Life reply :
On 7/9/2019 at 12:12 AM, gilkeybr said:What if I told you the company that makes Googan Squad baits is the same company that makes Bio Spawn baits? The president of each "brand" is the same!
To the OPs question, to reiterate all the other opinions, the durability of the GS baits flat out stinks IMO. You can even see it in their own videos (which I generally do find entertaining) that they are constantly having to re-rig due to torn up baits or lost appendages.
How did you find out that the president of each "brand" is the same?
Do you find yourself having to re-rig a lot with SK baits? I feel like durability is better with SK, but would it be a fair assessment to say they may only last by a couple bites/fish more than GS baits?
Heron reply :
The Trench Hawg is the only bait that looks somewhat interesting to me.
Other than that..... ZZZzzzzzzz
gilkeybr reply :
On 7/9/2019 at 12:40 AM, Largies4Life said:How did you find out that the president of each "brand" is the same?
Turns out my memory isn't good. In one of their videos the founder of MTB talked about starting MTB, then Bio Spawn and finally putting them all under catchco/shopkarls. I guess I can't say conclusively that Googan Baits falls under the Catchco umbrella, but I don't think its a big leap to go there.
cgolf reply :
On 7/8/2019 at 11:47 PM, J Francho said:They licensed the patent AFTER it being pointed out them that they copied design. They avoided legal proceedings by licensing.
As a consumer I saw the licensing bit, figuring they were in the right so no harm no foul.
It is interesting to see one company get crushed for copying a bait on this site, while Berkley and the Choppo in particular is a hero for copying another companies bait.
I don't really watch you tube fishing videos much, so I have no clue how ridiculous this group is, guessing the bait hate has more to do with the people backing the product rather than the designs. If that is the reason for the hate, I am cool with that.
J Francho reply :
On 7/9/2019 at 1:32 AM, cgolf said:It is interesting to see one company get crushed for copying a bait on this site, while Berkley and the Choppo in particular is a hero for copying another companies bait.
It's a copy of a copy of a very old style bait. Tail props have been around forever. I have one that has to be 50 years old. It's not a patented design. That's the difference.
TnRiver46 reply :
The googans shared boats with the rage tail guys for a week or two in Mexico, I'm guessing that was possibly when they started sharing the patent or at least discussed it
SenkoSlinger reply :
Without going into too much detail, I find the Googan Squad entertaining and informative. Having said that, I also understand and respect why people may not - to each their own.
In terms of Strike King vs. Googan, I've found that each brand serves a purpose better than the other depending on what I'm throwing. If I'm going to Texas rig a craw, I've found I prefer the 4" Rage Craw over the Googan Craw. If I want to utilize a craw for a jig or chatterbait trailer, I feel that the size and action of the Googan craw is better. It is the exact opposite for the bug. If I want to Texas rig, I'll use a Googan bandito bug, and prefer to use the Rage Bug as a jig trailer. Is there any science in this? Absolutley not ???? However, each bait has subtle differences, while being extremely similar. I just find that those small details allow them to function better according to what I'm rigging. As for color, I mostly stick to green pumpkin, watermelon/redflake, junebug, and bama craw, and don't see strong differences there. Rage offers a Falcon Lake Craw color that I love to use. With a plano tray full from top to bottom with bugs and craws, I use each equally. Also, the mondo worm has proved to be lethal on tough days. I've had Senkos go without a single strike, switched to the mondo, and had immediate results.
I'm curious to try the Rattlin' Neds they recently launched. I ordered a couple of packs and will be trying them out when fall rolls around here in Indiana.
flyfisher reply :
so I just checked some prices for the bandito bug craw and the rage bug which are similar baits and the price difference is $1 for a pack that both contain seven baits or a difference of less than .30 a bait in this instance.
fish what you want and what works for you. I am not a fan of strike king baits other than the rage series and I haven't bought a googan bait yet and probably won't for a while as my soft plastic supply is pretty solid right now.
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