Underrated lures / companies? Are we paying for names? 2024
billmac reply :
What do you think are the lures or lure companies that are underrated, perhaps because they are less expensive than some of their counterparts? For example, I've found Cotton Cordell rattletrap type baits in Walmart for around $3 each. Does this mean they are somehow inferior? I love Rapala lures, but they are priced like they are made from platinum. Are their cheaper cousins really inferior, or are we paying for the name? There are a million soft plastic baits out there. Are they really all that different from each other?
nascar2428 reply :
Plenty of opinions on this one. I'm going to give you my simple answer to the questions you asked. No
fin reply :
Like most things, it's not a simple answer. You get what you pay for, but you also pay a premium for some names. You're also paying for R&D, marketing, sponsorships, etc. too, so you can't always see that in the product.
I've always been curious how some companies can can keep such a tight control on prices regardless of the retailer, like Shimano, their stuff is basically the same price everywhere until it goes to clearance.
scaleface reply :
Bomber lures .
Catt reply :
Years ago I attended a seminar & the guest speaker was Tom Mann. The question was asked why does he make so many different lures in so many different colors.
He answer, " To catch the fisherman, a bass has never put a penny in my pocket."
Developing a lure that catches bass is the easy part just look at Crème's Scoundrels, simple yet effective!
FCPhil reply :
I got a cotton Cordell lipless and was not that impressed. I feel like in general, you get what you pay for but there are definitely some cheap gems and some overpriced stuff.
I feel like cheap soft plastics you can get away with but a lot of the cheap hardbaits have bad hardware so you end up swapping out hooks anyway.
WRB reply :
On 2/16/2019 at 11:36 PM, Catt said:Years ago I attended a seminar & the guest speaker was Tom Mann. The question was asked why does he make so many different lures in so many different colors.
He answer, " To catch the fisherman, a bass has never put a penny in my pocket."
Developing a lure that catches bass is the easy part just look at Crème's Scoundrels, simple yet effective!
Off topic, Tom Mann was special and after all these years he stands out from all the other pro's I have ever met as the friendliest man with a wonderful sense of humor.
The time and effort to develop a new lure that will sell, catch fish and fishermen then getting it on the market is part of the original cost.
Nick Creme developed soft plastic used today, took him years and was the first to market plastic worms successfully.
Cheap hard lures are usually knock off's produced over seas with inferior components and rarely achieve the action the original had that made them successful.
Finding original lures that have been forgotten and still work at a bargain price is a better option then buying knock off's. Upgrade the hooks and you see quickly why higher end lures cost more.
Tom
Russ E reply :
Cotton Cordell lipless cranks are a low cost gem. They have a unique sound and action.
Most of the time I throw a ratl trap or redeye shad, but on occasion the cotton Cordell is what the fish want.
WRB reply :
Cordell Spots are under $1.90 at most big box retailers. The Spot or Super Spot dates back to the Rattle Trap era, not a knock off lure. Cotton Cordell's Red Fin and Pencil Popper are preferred by striper anglers.
Tom
Catt reply :
Crème's Scoundrels, simple yet effective!
Gary Yamamoto's Senko, simple yet effective!
Johnson's Beatle Spin, simple yet effective!
Bill Lewis's Rat-L-Trap, simple yet effective!
Seeing a trend yet?
We do a whole lot of research and development based on the idea of appealing to the bass. But the reality is if the lure doesn't appeal to angler, ya got nothing!
Once that's accomplished you can charge what ya want ????
Edited by CattOperator Error
JLBBass reply :
Some of Academy's H20 Xpress hardbaits
Mobasser reply :
On 2/17/2019 at 1:26 AM, Catt said:Crème's Scoundrels, simple yet effective!
Gary Yamamoto's Senko, simple yet effective!
Johnson's Beatle Spin, simple yet effective!
Bill Lewis's Rat-L-Trap, simple yet effective!
Seeing a trend yet?
We do a whole lot of research and development based on the idea of appealing to the bass. But the reality is if the lure doesn't appeal to angler, ya got nothing!
Once that's accomplished you can change what ya want ????
I agree! Some of the best ones are not always the fanciest, or most expensive. Lots of lures made to appeal to a fisherman first, the bass second
A-Jay reply :
Underrated baits ~
Rapala Subwalk
Scrounger head
Single Oklahoma Blade Spinnerbait
Drop Shot Craw
A-Jay
HoosierFisher reply :
It's like any other product, more marketing/fancier packaging means higher prices. I think if you want a mix of quality and lower prices, look at smaller companies like Siebert Outdoors. I could probably get by with just Zoom and Berkley plastics. A lot of plastics are very similar in presentation. Formulas will vary, different scents, ElaZtech, etc. but essentially they are all imitating the same things.
microotter reply :
I’ve had pretty good success with a lot of the house brand lures. (BPS, Academy, Cabela’s)
JLBBass reply :
On 2/17/2019 at 1:49 AM, A-Jay said:Underrated baits ~
Rapala Subwalk
Scrounger head
Single Oklahoma Blade Spinnerbait
Drop Shot Craw
A-Jay
Rapala Subwalk fished above shallow weedbeds in the spring! 
Bankbeater reply :
The components of the high priced baits may be better, but sometimes it's about how all those parts fit and work together.
Columbia Craw reply :
There are plenty of baits that are affordable and have been around for decades. A couple of examples are the Cotton Cordell Ripplin Redfin, Smithwick Rogue and the Norman Deep Little N and other Norman baits. Here's something crazy. Did you know the Bandit 100-200 has been around for over thirty years? I'm old I guess.
RB 77 reply :
Are the cheaper baits really inferior? No. The Cotton Cordell Super Spot is a proven fish catcher at $1.99. My favorite Lipless just happens to be the $15.99 LC LV 500, but that doesn't mean a $1.99 bait wont catch a fish or two. My buddy swears by those Super Spots.
Allen Der reply :
Kalins is underrated in my opinion. I don't think they sponsor anyone other than some local Wisconsin guys and shows
LonnieP reply :
A lot of cheap lures usually come with cheap quality hooks, by the time you change hooks,you’re not really saving money.
WRB reply :
Some "house brands" are actually name brands with less expensive hooks and specific limited colors for that store. Other "house brands" are low price imitation knock offs that lack the action needed. You should determine the difference before spending any money on them, better paying for 1 lure that works then 2 or 3 that don't work.
Hard baits that date back 30 to 40 years like Bomber, Smithwick, Norman, Bagley, Arbogast, Creek Chub, Rapala, Storm, etc., no longer are independant companies, they have been bought out, most by Pure Fishing. What does this have to do with the lures? New multi cavity tooling for higher volume production that can change the original lures action negatively. Finding the "original" name brand lures can be a task because you are competing with other knowledgeable anglers hunting for the same lures.
I like to shop at out of the way mom & pop tackle stores and look for older packaged lures that indicate the vintage of the lures.
Tom
billmac reply :
I think Rapala is still its own company.
MN Fisher reply :
On 2/17/2019 at 9:01 AM, billmac said:I think Rapala is still its own company.
Nope - they're owned by SOFINA, which is a holding company headquartered in Belgium.
papajoe222 reply :
On 2/17/2019 at 1:49 AM, A-Jay said:Underrated baits ~
Rapala Subwalk
Scrounger head
Single Oklahoma Blade Spinnerbait
Drop Shot Craw
A-Jay
where can I find one of them A-Jay baits? I bet they are a killer on smallies. 
A-Jay reply :
On 2/17/2019 at 12:18 PM, papajoe222 said:where can I find one of them A-Jay baits? I bet they are a killer on smallies.
I don't have any left ~ This dude stole them all . . .
Anyone know where I could find him ?
A-Jay
Mobasser reply :
A marabou jig, in various sizes, has become a generic, no name bait over the years, but catches scores of fish for people all across the country. You'll see them hanging in tackle shops, where they've hung for years. Another cheap no-name bait that catches fish very well
primetime reply :
Lures From Bomber, Cordell, all the Pradco lures are good, however, the baits have changed over the years. Lures like the Red Fin, Bomber Long A, Bomber Model A cranks, Heddon Torpedo, SPit n image and more are just as good as always. If you can find the older versions of say the Rebel Popper, they have a different sound, the Long A was once an XCalibur lure and was heavier with molded eyes, screw tail, and the new ones are good, but the older versions of most lures are better (At least I have confidence in them, but nothing wrong with the Pradco lures today.
Keep in mind...The cordell cranks and lipless cranks at walmart, bomber lures etc. are not always the same ones you would find on Tackle warehouse. The $1 Cordell crankbait looks like the Big O but is not, that bait bonanza is a budget version but they will catch fish I am sure.
I found a bunch of spooks at walmart for a dollar, super spooks, they look the same, fish the same, just came with crappy silver hooks that was different and packaging was different as well. Not sure why Walmart gets different versions at times. A new Bomber long A is usually $7, I notice the ones for a buck are often different. The $3 Cordell Super spots at Walmart are the same as the ones you buy anywhere, and they catch fish. I find the spots and traps both work equally as well.
If I had to only throw one large Wake bait for rest of my life, I would choose the Red Fin over any other, and I have a box full of nice ones from Tackle warehouse that were expensive. They flat out work the best imo, there is a reason Saltwater Striper Surf Casters throw the Red Fin more than any other hard bait to this day. It also imitates a shiner perfectly.
fishtar reply :
jig head with maribou, bucktail or any number of rubber baits or skirts are cheap and very versatile.Lots of bass have been caught on these low cost relatively easy to fish lures.
Jaderose reply :
H&H Spinnerbaits. I bought a whole bunch of them a few years back for right around a buck a piece off ebay. I throw other sb's but most of the time it's a good ol' single colorado blade H&H. They work well and who cares if you lose one. You get the added bonus of always, and I mean ALWAYS, putting the hook on wrong. I've had dozens of them and I bet I haven't put the hook on right 5 times...lol.
MAN reply :
If the fisherman ever figures out that fish don't keep up with the newest lure colors, lure trends etc etc...I will be out a job. Please keep on buying the latest and greatest because that will be the only way you will catch the big one! ????
the reel ess reply :
On 2/17/2019 at 12:27 AM, Russ E said:Cotton Cordell lipless cranks are a low cost gem. They have a unique sound and action.
Most of the time I throw a ratl trap or redeye shad, but on occasion the cotton Cordell is what the fish want.
This was going to be my answer. The CC Super Spot is the best lipless where I fish. Soft plastics is a good way to keep it cheap. Zoom and Berkley have me covered on most plastics. A jig is a very cheap bait that catches big bass. Get a wire tied one and it might last you a season or more. Maybe the all-time underrated lure is the Rooster Tail.
I find Big Bite stick baits to be a more durable alternative to the Senko, so it's cheaper. If you're one of those guys that doesn't buy into colors, there are almost always some oddball colors on clearance at the local Academy.
I used to buy off the bottom shelf at WalMart when i was a broke newly-married guy. Now the most expensive lure I own is the SPRO Rat. Most people have an upper limit pain threshold for baits. If I have a hard time justifying a bait purchase, I usually won't make it. Or I could go to Dick's in the winter time and buy the ducks, beetles and bats off their clearance rack while they start pushing the next season's fad.
Drew03cmc reply :
Big Bite Trick Sticks are great, as are the BPS Stik-O. I've caught fish on a Super Spot and on Red Eye Shad as well as a Vibration-X Jr. Honestly, they all do the same things. The hooks and paint was nicer on the MB, but they all work.
MIbassyaker reply :
Heddon Torpedo & Tiny Torpedo (or propbaits in general, which are an entire underrated category of lures)
All the bomber "A" series: 2A, 4A, Square A, Long A, Flat A
Rebel crawfish
Charlie Brewer Sliders
Mister Twister worms, grubs, and lizards
CLU Zero Gravity Jig
billmac reply :
I've always wondered by Rebel lures weren't more popular. I always considered them the affordable alternative to Rapalas (not so much now).
I always loved the jointed rapalas and rebels. I had confidence with them and caught a lot of fish with them, but they don't seem to be as popular as their un-jointed brethren.
mheichelbech reply :
I think you have to fish a specific lure quite a bit to tell a difference. For example, I fish baby minus ones a lot. I can tell which ones run like they should. I like to say the minus one is a $18 lite because you have to buy 3 to get one that works right. However, the one that works right is worth $18 to me (actually more as they have won me several thousand). On the other hand, almost all LC, KVD, etc. squarebills run right.
What I have seen is, that for cheap lures it’s a crap shoot on whether the bait will operate how it is supposed to. There is a lot of inconsistency in manufacturing and they don’t have the durability of the more expensive versions.
scaleface reply :
On 2/19/2019 at 12:16 AM, Jaderose said:H&H Spinnerbaits. I bought a whole bunch of them a few years back for right around a buck a piece off ebay. I throw other sb's but most of the time it's a good ol' single colorado blade H&H. They work well and who cares if you lose one. You get the added bonus of always, and I mean ALWAYS, putting the hook on wrong. I've had dozens of them and I bet I haven't put the hook on right 5 times...lol.
I tend to overlook this lure but it has caught a lot of bass for me . I like to use it on rip rap banks on the Mississippi river . I stand on the rocks cast up-stream and bring it back slightly faster than the current . Then cast it out in deeper water , still up-stream let it touch bottom , pop it off bottom and reel retrieve it right off the bottom . I have caught a lot of species doing that . I'll lose a few but they are cheap .
Log Catcher reply :
On 2/19/2019 at 9:10 PM, billmac said:I've always wondered by Rebel lures weren't more popular. I always considered them the affordable alternative to Rapalas (not so much now).
I always loved the jointed rapalas and rebels. I had confidence with them and caught a lot of fish with them, but they don't seem to be as popular as their un-jointed brethren.
Rebel made some of the best crank baits out thereat the time. Then Pradco bought them out and let them go downhill. Once they got rid of all the good colors they were not worth buying.
scaleface reply :
On 2/20/2019 at 12:09 AM, Log Catcher said:Rebel made some of the best crank baits out thereat the time. Then Pradco bought them out and let them go downhill. Once they got rid of all the good colors they were not worth buying.
Deep Wee R is a fish getter . The one fault is the hook hangers are to close allowing the hooks to tangle .I would like to see the DWR brought back with a better placement of hooks .
Log Catcher reply :
On 2/20/2019 at 12:15 AM, scaleface said:Deep Wee R is a fish getter . The one fault is the hook hangers are to close allowing the hooks to tangle .I would like to see the DWR brought back with a better placement of hooks .
The Deep Wee R was my favorite. You are right about the hooks. I don't remember any short shank hooks being available back then.
GReb reply :
H&H has caught many bass and big ones too. My dad caught a 9 pounder on one when I was a kid. I have a slew of them because it’s my wife’s go to bait and she tends to catch everything in the lake, fish or not
related Fishing Tackle topic
previous topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.