Cheap/Knock-off lures

[OldTimer]

(03-06-2012 02:08 AM)MichaelAngelo Wrote:  Given that, on Sunday, my friend's Walmart suspending crank outperformed all of my name-brand tackle I'd like to hear what you guys think of cheap/knock-off lures.

I was surfing facebook today and found this online lure shop with free shipping http://wlure.com/specials.php.

Have you guys ever tried the cheap made-in-china stuff?

I’m new to the forum – but hope that I might contribute a few thoughts here:

Offshore Asian manufactured fishing lures are at times much less expensive than many produced here in North America. I prefer to support firms located here, but I do have a budget to follow.

I have found that some of these offshore lures are of value, and do produce results. There is nothing wrong with most such inline spinners, spinner baits, or lipless diving rattling plugs. Plus the colours and finishes are good and have lots of variety. There also are items that are basically garbage, are weak, will never track correctly, or spin endlessly. The key is to test a sample before buying a particular lure in quantity.

I find the better of these less expensive lures great for use in exploring new waters – where we all seem to lose a whack of lures while figuring out the snags and bottom contours………….in this situation I believe it is way better/smarter to lose a $3 lure than a $7 (or more) lure!

I do agree that the hook quality and sharpness can be low, but a quick filing will fix much of that.

I note that as time goes forward the finish quality of imports is getting much better, tougher and thicker.

Furthermore, we must understand that many popular “brand” name lure manufacturers have in the last decade opened or purchased facilities in Asia. Rapala, and its very long list of brands, is one such company with many plants in Asia as well as Europe.

http://www.rapalaworld.com/ir_page.php?s...9BT0ZTRFht

Other Asian products include items from Ugly Stik, Pflueger, Shakespeare, Eagle Claw, Zebco, Red Wolf, some Blue Fox, Ryobi, some Fenwick, some Mitchell………………. The list is long and growing.

We many times pay full pop for Asian imports because of the brand name’s long past reputation.

Read the fine print on your lure packages! Country of Origin must be displayed on all products sold here. You may be surprised how little is made in North America.

I guess the bottom line for me is that my tackle box will contain both the imports and the home grown.