Worst tackle investment you have made... 2024
FivePoundBluegill reply :
Well have any of you guys ever bought a piece of tackle that you found COMPLETELY useless? I am not talking about stuff like a inexpensive hardbait or plastic you wanted to try and not caught a thing on. We have all had that happen.
I mean have any of you bought anything that was expensive or was supposed to be great and turned out to be a complete piece of junk? This includes things like expensive lures, rods, reels...stuff like that....anything over $10 you know...
S I G M A reply :
Vanish Transition, Pinnacle Solene baitcaster (2 of them from walmart)
Gatorbassman reply :
Shimano Baitcasters 
grimlin reply :
hydro lure....
Mattlures reply :
Ha Ha I bought the Hydro lures. I didnt expect them to work but I wanted to see how they swam. I found some on ebay for about $3
They werent even worth the 3 bucks. Realy bad.
T-rig reply :
This "thing" from castaic.
Big Matty L reply :
the flying lure
Jimzee reply :
Back in my Quantum days, the 1310 baitcaster. They kept breaking and I kept buying them. Finally took three before it sunk in. Daiwa for me now.
burleytog reply :
Every d**n thing I've bought over the last 26 years.
J_Zink reply :
A Ranger bass boat.
Avalonjohn44 reply :
Reel Magic, Helicopter Lure, Gulp, Yo-Zuri FC line, Mann's Hardbaits, Mann's softbaits, and Matzuo crankbaits. I'm sure there are a ton more, but can't remember them right now.
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteShimano Baitcasters
This guy's going to have to go to "Time Out".
:
The Rooster reply :
I can't say it was junk but it sure didn't fish like I thought it would. A Shimano Sedona spinning reel. I just do NOT like the way it operates. The Pfluegers I have now fish like I thought that Sedona would have. Not sure what the issue is with that Sedona but everytime I used it I had to fight with it and it was miserable doing it.
Grey Wolf reply :
Ugly stik and any brand of mono line that I ever bought.
SuthernProg reply :
Motorguide trolling motor.
fishfordollars reply :
QuoteThis "thing" from castaic.
X2. Paid 18.00 for it back in the mid 90s. Never have been bit on it.
Speed Worm reply :
Quantum Code Baitcasting reel. Bought it on a thursday night, used it on friday morning, returned it on friday morning. That thing squeeks withing 1-2 hours of fishing.
Bobby Uhrig reply :
RAGE TAIL BAITS- They vibrated so much that later that day I came home from fishing and the Ol lady called 911 thinking I was having a seizure-I was still vibrating LOL
basser89 reply :
Here's an eye popper for you all! A LC Sammy! I can't walk them to save my life! Spittin Image, Spooks, BPS Slim Dog and even Excaliber's (can't remember the name) I have no problems walking. I thought I might have picked up a defective one so I had one of my friends try it and it's now part of his arsenal.
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteHere's an eye popper for you all! A LC Sammy! I can't walk them to save my life! Spittin Image, Spooks, BPS Slim Dog and even Excaliber's (can't remember the name) I have no problems walking. I thought I might have picked up a defective one so I had one of my friends try it and it's now part of his arsenal.
C'mon...That's silly.
:
basser89 reply :
QuoteQuoteHere's an eye popper for you all! A LC Sammy! I can't walk them to save my life! Spittin Image, Spooks, BPS Slim Dog and even Excaliber's (can't remember the name) I have no problems walking. I thought I might have picked up a defective one so I had one of my friends try it and it's now part of his arsenal.C'mon...That's silly.
:
I swear to baked beans there RW! Funny thing is, it wasn't even one of the smaller models! It was a 100 series. I tried different rods, different retrieves, nothing I did worked! No clue why???? I'm just wierd like that I guess!
S I G M A reply :
ooh... add Fireline Crystal to that list
Bassin_Fin@tic reply :
About a dozen berkley bladedancers in different sizes(I like the weedless ones sometimes though)
Several packs of berkley realistix sinking minnows.
Shimano sedona,shimano spirex,shimano slade.(ya I love shimanos but the lower end crap is real junk)
spiderwire original braid
Shakespeare catera spinning combo ;D
4 rapala skitterprops cuz I thought they looked cool.Junk! and the props dont spin worth a sh--
Plano 737 box.Not even enough room,very heavy,had 3 latches and top handle break in about 6 months >
Avalonjohn44 reply :
I have had nothing but trouble with Okuma Spinning reels. Have bought three over the last 2 years, and have burned out every one of them... I maintain my reels well too.
My Pflueger reels have lasted years. Nothing but Pflueger from now on.
GitRDoneIke23 reply :
Iron Silk, Spiderwire and a Helicopter Lure (try not to laugh!) and a shakespeare spincast reel. (Zebcos are the ONLY way to go!)
Nothing too bad...........
-Ike
rondef reply :
Storm baits
Big Tom reply :
When I was younger I saved up money from cutting grass and bought myself a banjo minnow kit...I was so excited when it came...I watched the VHS (which was pretty much the infomercial), and got everything rigged and ready...only fished them once....biggest pain in the backside ever.
Raul reply :
QuoteThis "thing" from castaic.
Oh yeah, that would be one, I paid don 't remember if it was 18 or 20 bucks for it in the 90 's and never caught even a cold with it.
basspro48 reply :
Pfleuger President spinning reel, the bail spring wore out within 6 months of purchase and it is completely useless now.
Pfleuger Supreme baitcasting reel, held one at BPS, thought dam this thing is nice. So I dropped the $170 for it and now it has a permanent spot at the bottom of my rod locker. It squeaks, squeals, and the way it grinds on the retrieve is unbearable.
This is why I stick to Shimano.
skunked_again reply :
QuoteReel Magic, Helicopter Lure, Gulp, Yo-Zuri FC line, Mann's Hardbaits, Mann's softbaits, and Matzuo crankbaits. I'm sure there are a ton more, but can't remember them right now.
i gotta ask why you didnt like the Yo-Zuri line. i just bought a bunch of that.
MALTESE FALCON reply :
The original Cajun Line and original Spiderwire. What a mess.
Falcon
shorefisher reply :
The Banjo Minnow LOL. Man that infomercial got me all fired up back in the day, but I don't remember ever catching anything on it. I found one of my old boxes a few months ago. Hmm I should fish it again and see if 15 years has improved the bait.
Aaron reply :
A Shakespere UL spinning combo (Synergy was the name, I think) that I bought at Gander Mountain. Fished with it one day and snapped the rod in half . I took it back o Gander that afternoon.
Not to mention the incredibly large number of plastics that I have bought that have never seen water.
Red reply :
QuoteQuoteHere's an eye popper for you all! A LC Sammy! I can't walk them to save my life! Spittin Image, Spooks, BPS Slim Dog and even Excaliber's (can't remember the name) I have no problems walking. I thought I might have picked up a defective one so I had one of my friends try it and it's now part of his arsenal.C'mon...That's silly.
:
i have to agree with the sammy thing, i have had one for almost a year now. it is much harder to walk, and i havent had a fish even consider looking at it. but they are all over my spook jr. keep your eyes on the flea market, you might find this sammy up in there soon!
Cliff
Big Tom reply :
QuoteThe Banjo Minnow LOL. Man that infomercial got me all fired up back in the day, but I don't remember ever catching anything on it. I found one of my old boxes a few months ago. Hmm I should fish it again and see if 15 years has improved the bait.
Good luck.
GitRDoneIke23 reply :
QuoteQuoteReel Magic, Helicopter Lure, Gulp, Yo-Zuri FC line, Mann's Hardbaits, Mann's softbaits, and Matzuo crankbaits. I'm sure there are a ton more, but can't remember them right now.i gotta ask why you didnt like the Yo-Zuri line. i just bought a bunch of that.
Ya! And Gulp! and Real majic
-Ike
Avalonjohn44 reply :
Quotei gotta ask why you didnt like the Yo-Zuri line. i just bought a bunch of that.
It kinked up on me horribly, and snapped. Lost two good lures on it before switching to a new spool. That one did the same thing to me. The fault was probably all mine, but I'm leaving the stuff alone.
QuoteYa! And Gulp! and Real majic
Gulp is a great bait... for catfish, and bluegill, and turtles. I can never get the nuisance fish to stop eating it, and have not gotten a single bass on the stuff.
Reel Magic did absolutely nothing for me... So, I switched to the KVD line and lure conditioner, and really do get more distance with my casts. My reels feel smoother with it too.
Munkin reply :
QuoteHere's an eye popper for you all! A LC Sammy! I can't walk them to save my life! Spittin Image, Spooks, BPS Slim Dog and even Excaliber's (can't remember the name) I have no problems walking. I thought I might have picked up a defective one so I had one of my friends try it and it's now part of his arsenal.
And I am wrecking fish on that exact bait in the same waters you fish?
Lets see junk ; Gulp, Berkley vanish, most senko knock offs, Storm baits. I am sure some others will come to mind but these are what I think of right now? Now I did catch 1 bass in two years fishing Gulp but I also catch several water snakes, turtles and countless sunfish.
Allen
basser89 reply :
QuoteQuoteHere's an eye popper for you all! A LC Sammy! I can't walk them to save my life! Spittin Image, Spooks, BPS Slim Dog and even Excaliber's (can't remember the name) I have no problems walking. I thought I might have picked up a defective one so I had one of my friends try it and it's now part of his arsenal.And I am wrecking fish on that exact bait in the same waters you fish?
Lets see junk ; Gulp, Berkley vanish, most senko knock offs, Storm baits. I am sure some others will come to mind but these are what I think of right now? Now I did catch 1 bass in two years fishing Gulp but I also catch several water snakes, turtles and countless sunfish.
Allen
That's all I can say about that! LOL! ;D
rebar reply :
The first Quantum left hand baitcaster that came out. I think it was black. I wore it out in one day using a #7 Willow leaf spinnerbait. Got my money back and bought a Calcutta which I'm still using. Man that was years ago. I love the Storm Thundersticks for small mouths, specially the 2 smaller ones in the trout colors. I bought a Ripplin Redfin when they first came out, caught a nice bass on the first cast and have not caught a fish on it since. May have thrown it away. Now I feel jinxed if I catch a fish on the first cast with a new bait! lp
Sam reply :
Gulp!
Have them in storage.
Will use them when taking kids fishing if I want to drive them nuts with bluegill and bream hits all day long.
The are great with catfish.
skunked_again reply :
QuoteQuotei gotta ask why you didnt like the Yo-Zuri line. i just bought a bunch of that.It kinked up on me horribly, and snapped. Lost two good lures on it before switching to a new spool. That one did the same thing to me. The fault was probably all mine, but I'm leaving the stuff alone.
QuoteYa! And Gulp! and Real majicGulp is a great bait... for catfish, and bluegill, and turtles. I can never get the nuisance fish to stop eating it, and have not gotten a single bass on the stuff.
Reel Magic did absolutely nothing for me... So, I switched to the KVD line and lure conditioner, and really do get more distance with my casts. My reels feel smoother with it too.
i bought the line on RW's advise so if it stinks its all his fault.............lol
on a side note i think i have a different type of yo-zuri line so ill see what happens
Megastink reply :
ALL Quantum Reels... and rods, for that matter......
FishTank reply :
Storm Lures, Seagur Fluorocarbon (3 times now), Berkley Transition, Fireline Crystal and, not on my black list yet but close, Spiderwire InvisiBraid.
Rods and Reels> BPS Johnny Morris Rod, Revo Premier, and a Quantum Tour Edition Baitcaster
Muddy reply :
15 buck lure retriever, the one that looks like a big crankbait with the wires and chains. I used it once on a Rapala GT that was stuck , sent it down , it latched onto the lure, I pulled the rope came undone then I was out
apala DT 6.99 and 15 for the *@$*)&@#) Lure retriever. :-/
kms399 reply :
quantum reels, my accurist is garbage.
Catt reply :
Berkley Iron Silk
Mad Man Craw Worms
Shimano Chronarch
Steel Bullet Weights
Eagle Claw Worm Hooks
Mercury 20 HP Outboard; one way motor
Micro reply :
Seagaur Invizx Fluoro.
Micro reply :
OH OH OH, I forgot....
Stren Sinking Braid
The ONLY thing this stuff was good for was sewing up a torn leaf tarp.
Spencer W reply :
Quantum Accurist reel, didn't last a full season of use.
billbrum reply :
Seagur Fluorocarbon
Suffix Braid
Abu Garcia products
St. Croix Triumph (twice)
Swimbaits
Berkley Blade Dancers
gravyfor3 reply :
this isnt over ten bucks but it was a very bad investment... a yum dancing eel
Trent, B reply :
banjo minnows
mayassa reply :
Bill Dance lures
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
Quotethis isnt over ten bucks but it was a very bad investment... a yum dancing eel
Didn't expect to see this one here. :-?
CaliBassanator reply :
Touche...
George Welcome reply :
Diriculous.
Lavrax reply :
this
Boogey Man reply :
Abu Garcia D5. Man, I was excited. Lightter than the C3 and C4, recessed reel foot. I never could get it to cast right and when I was reeling in a bass it felt like the gears were binding up. Finally took it apart and noticed that the main gear was actually rubbing against the reel frame and had started to wear a groove into the frame. Ended up trading it in at Bass Pro Shops at their reel trade-in.
hawghunter1744 reply :
A Booyah Dancin Buzz.. It's 15" long and GOOFY
sambrochill reply :
i bought 3 of the Sebile magic swimmer lures, spend about 45 dollars and didnt catch a thing on them. ended up losing them all to stumps and different hangups in the water =/
fretfishman reply :
for me it was a panfish soft plastic kit I tried when I wanted to get a "compact stowaway" setup to take and really learn panfishing more. (not that it's all that hard)
granted, there isn't a whole lot of engineering that goes into small tubes and grubs, but these things just failed. it's a very good kit for a kid to go panfishing, but I should've known better than to try something like this. that's what I get for being lazy - I didn't want to put together my own kit with better soft plastics and jig heads that actually have a decent hook.
Avalonjohn44 reply :
Quotei bought 3 of the Sebile magic swimmer lures, spend about 45 dollars and didnt catch a thing on them. ended up losing them all to stumps and different hangups in the water =/
Ouch! I would have swam after those lures. I have heard good things on here about them.
gravyfor3 reply :
QuoteQuotethis isnt over ten bucks but it was a very bad investment... a yum dancing eelDidn't expect to see this one here. :-?
i havent caught one fish on it yet and i could have bought some plastic worms and caught more fish lol...
Olebiker reply :
QuoteA Ranger bass boat.
Nice troll, but nobody bit. ;D
My worst investment was a Shakespeare 1969 baitcaster that I put on a Fenwick Lunker Stik. Neither one was worth a dern. This was back in 1970, I believe.
SuskyDude reply :
Shimano spinning reels.
I have a Stradic, and a Sahara that both bind when they get wet.
After asking around this is a pretty common problem with shimano.
Great reels when dry.....
Never again.
Aaron reply :
QuoteShimano spinning reels.I have a Stradic, and a Sahara that both bind when they get wet.
After asking around this is a pretty common problem with shimano.
Great reels when dry.....
Never again.
You could put those reels out pasture if you don't like them.
By that I mean send them to me
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteAfter asking around this is a pretty common problem with shimano.
I have never experienced binding and although I have
heard this said, I have never met anyone in person that
has experienced this "problem".
So, I am not disparaging you, I simply do not think
this is a "common problem".
:
Joe Boss reply :
QuoteI can't say it was junk but it sure didn't fish like I thought it would. A Shimano Sedona spinning reel. I just do NOT like the way it operates. The Pfluegers I have now fish like I thought that Sedona would have. Not sure what the issue is with that Sedona but everytime I used it I had to fight with it and it was miserable doing it.
I have to agree on the Sedona. It was a real bummer for me because I have other Shimano rods and reels I love that cost less.
My worst tackle investment had to be the Helicoptor lure that I ordered from Roland Martin's infomercial. The only thing I caught with that junk was an empty wallet. Still love Roland, just won't buy anything he endorses.
Uncle Leo reply :
Remember the Abu Garcia Eon, I have one for sale used once. Why they made that reel I will never know, why I bought it I will never know. I will sell it cheap, you guys just had to remind me.
Boogey Man reply :
QuoteRemember the Abu Garcia Eon, I have one for sale used once. Why they made that reel I will never know, why I bought it I will never know. I will sell it cheap, you guys just had to remind me.
I had one of those too. Emphasis on the "had"
muscovey reply :
The Popeil's Pocket Fisherman I bought my wife as a wedding anniversary present... that ended up costing me a set of diamond earrings. It sits next to the Bass-o-matic and the hot air popcorn popper down in the basement.
Jake. reply :
A Storm swimbait
Megabass XJF
detroit1 reply :
Back in the early 70's, as a young teenager i had the bass bug bad. Johnson reels came out with a new high-speed spincast reel called the Sprint. That thing brought in line twice as fast as any Zebco ever could, and with my newfound love, the spinnerbait, I would whip my dad almost every time out. I don't think i got 10 trips with it before it was rendered useless.
Vyron reply :
fireline and all the cheap rods I bought when started bass fishing
Painter Dude reply :
QuoteThe Popeil's Pocket Fisherman I bought my wife as a wedding anniversary present... that ended up costing me a set of diamond earrings. It sits next to the Bass-o-matic and the hot air popcorn popper down in the basement.
Thats showing your age!
Mine is the "Snakes"
Joe Boss reply :
QuoteQuoteThe Popeil's Pocket Fisherman I bought my wife as a wedding anniversary present... that ended up costing me a set of diamond earrings. It sits next to the Bass-o-matic and the hot air popcorn popper down in the basement.Thats showing your age!
Mine is the "Snakes"
Talking about showing your age, I have the Fishin Magician somewhere in my basement.
SuskyDude reply :
QuoteQuoteAfter asking around this is a pretty common problem with shimano.I have never experienced binding and although I have
heard this said, I have never met anyone in person that
has experienced this "problem".
So, I am not disparaging you, I simply do not think
this is a "common problem".
:
Two out of my three Shimano spinning reels is enough for me to say I'll never buy them again. (I do have one stradic that doesn't bind).
I have heard many people testify about the bind.
I have heard many people testify that they've owned numerous reels without the bind.
If you've never experienced the problem, then don't let me ruin your fun! But I can gaurantee that it's more "common" than you think.
tritz18 reply :
QuoteStorm baits
Same here, they sink like a rock and the action is terrible
Titleman reply :
Ditto that!! Also the packaging sucks big time. I had several packages in my supply. Noticed one day that most all of them appeared to be breaking down. The white part became wet / liquefied and if it got on my hands, smelled bad and kinda petroleum based. Anyway, I threw all of the packages of swim baits away, including the lures. I just didn't want that mess in my tackle bag. Tom
Raul reply :
QuoteQuoteRemember the Abu Garcia Eon, I have one for sale used once. Why they made that reel I will never know, why I bought it I will never know. I will sell it cheap, you guys just had to remind me.I had one of those too. Emphasis on the "had"
Add another member to that club !
LCpointerKILLA reply :
SK king shad, broke at the hinge on first fish
wagn reply :
QuoteQuoteThe Popeil's Pocket Fisherman I bought my wife as a wedding anniversary present... that ended up costing me a set of diamond earrings. It sits next to the Bass-o-matic and the hot air popcorn popper down in the basement.LOL. Not sure my wife would have stuck around long enough for the earrings! ;D That's quite a list you got there; but you didn't mention your Flowbee. (for cuttin' your own hair)
b
Don't knock the flowbee, saved my family a whole lot of money in haircuts over the years when i was a kid. My dad became a flowbee magician over the years.
Storm baits
and every scent i have ever bought. not because they don't work, but because I buy them and then get to lazy to keep adding the scent. Every year I try the new hot scent and every year it ends up sitting in the side of my tacklebox never seening the light of day
NitroMan reply :
Years and years ago I got sucked into buying the old helicopter lure set.... HAHA What a hunk of junk!!! I got screwed on that deal!!! > ;D ;D ;D ;D
David P reply :
Definitely buying a pack of those stupid senko things. Worst baits ever.
Megastink reply :
QuoteDefinitely buying a pack of those stupid senko things. Worst baits ever.
ILL TAKE THEM OFF YOUR HANDS FOR YOU....... : ;D : ;D :
Gatorbassman reply :
A bulk 1lb spool of Trilene Photochromic. The only thing it's been good for is as backing. If you let it sit in the sun for one day it becomes very brittle.
Muddy reply :
QuoteA bulk 1lb spool of Trilene Photochromic. The only thing it's been good for is as backing. If you let it sit in the sun for one day it becomes very brittle.
Same thing happens when you leave Long Mike out in the sun
Long Mike reply :
There is only one part of my body that I would love to have turn brittle. I can stay in the sun all day. My skin looks like an alligator's, but that part stays as flexible as it has for years. :'(
Muddy reply :
Let me say about that
NitroMan reply :
QuoteQuoteDefinitely buying a pack of those stupid senko things. Worst baits ever.ILL TAKE THEM OFF YOUR HANDS FOR YOU....... :
X2!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Grey Wolf reply :
QuoteDefinitely buying a pack of those stupid senko things. Worst baits ever.
A comedian is born!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Megastink reply :
THESE #@*& THINGS:
Eddie Munster reply :
Any combo plastics package will be filled with at least 80% garbage that will never be tried. I've bought 2 of these in my life (1 for me while a teenager 1 for my kids for panfish).
I've been pretty lucky to ride someone's coattails on what to buy. I'm pretty cheap and do not come off money easy for expensive lures/equipment. I broke down and FINALLY bought a couple Cavitron buzzbaits today ONLY because they've been so highly recommended here.
J_Zink reply :
I'm starting to think the rage tail lures are.
I've fished 3 different lakes with these with only a couple short strikes to show for it. In the mean time the baits are getting torn up. Not a big deal if the things weren't costing $1 each.
NitroMan reply :
QuoteI'm starting to think the rage tail lures are.I've fished 3 different lakes with these with only a couple short strikes to show for it. In the mean time the baits are getting torn up. Not a big deal if the things weren't costing $1 each.
Thats why it is called fishing and not catching, and that is why most fisherman are always broke... d**n bait monkey. I can honestly say that rage tail lures work great for me. Have you checked to make sure you are using the correct hook?? Alot of time hook size will help yu catch your fish. Also check out strike kings website it shows how to rig them properly.
J_Zink reply :
QuoteQuoteI'm starting to think the rage tail lures are.I've fished 3 different lakes with these with only a couple short strikes to show for it. In the mean time the baits are getting torn up. Not a big deal if the things weren't costing $1 each.
Thats why it is called fishing and not catching, and that is why most fisherman are always broke... d**n bait monkey. I can honestly say that rage tail lures work great for me. Have you checked to make sure you are using the correct hook?? Alot of time hook size will help yu catch your fish. Also check out strike kings website it shows how to rig them properly.
Fine tuning the bait with hook selection can only happen if the fish are actually striking at the bait. That's what's been missing in my scenario. I've used both Gammie and Eagle Claw wide gaps but attempting to blame the hooks when I've had a total of 2 short strikes in about 6 trips using them isn't the answer.
I'll probably go again this weekend to my weed lake, this time putting the rage tails up head to head with a couple buzzbaits and see the results. So far, the baits look really, really good going through the water but the fish seem less impressed.
lknbassman reply :
Storm soft swim baits - useless but at $4/pk not the worst beating over all I suppose. White Senkos have done nothing for me but other colors are great so I can't blame the bait just that one color.
I sure hope that new $80 3-16 swim bait lure doesn't make this list.....Ouch if it does. Those guys are certain it's worth the $80 but not this guy, uh uh, no thanks.
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