I’ve been fishing over 60 years and a prime example is a ballhead jig,which I use to pour my own for pennies and now they are $6.99 for a tungsten ballhead jig 😮 I bought coolbaits underspins 3 years ago (12) for $2.50 each, and now they are $6.99 each😮😮 I agree that MaxScent baits catch more bass and attract fish to bite and not let go 🍀🎣🍀 I have also spent $25.00 on baits that I have yet to catch a bass with 😢 this video helps for sure and I trust your recommendations 💯👍
After about a 20 year sabbatical from fishing I went all in on JDM tackle. It was some great product and innovation. But the one thing that stuck with me was the Quality didn’t seem to match the price. Such as bodies cracking on lures , paint coming off Easily. But I do use a lot of JDM baits still and i do think a lot of fisherman where I live don’t use these types of baits … Advantage maybe ? I’m not a Tournament fisherman , but I do like nice things . I do still fish a lot of my old discontinued lures from the 1960s , 1970s , 1990s also. Thanks for posting this video today .
A lot of jdm baits have thinner material and aren’t made to handle catching dozens of fish since a good day of bass fishing in japan is catching a fish or two
As a fun fisherman, Im very interested in your tips on storing soft plastics in clamshells. Appreciate the video too, I definitely wait until Black Friday sales to get into the pricier baits!
Well Matt I have been using one of your tips from an older video, I have been killing them on a small buzzbait like the ones you talked about and they are awesome this time of year like you said! You might revisit that video because a lot more people are subscribed than back then. Just my opinion
I think your comment on most of us not being pros is spot on. Our lively hoods aren't at stake if we don't buy the best/most expensive lures. I like some of the more expensive lures but in my situation, as a small river wading/kayaking fisherman, I have a tendency to lose more lures than I would like to admit. Throwing a $25 lure in a tree is a consideration. What is most appalling to me, is the price of a stinking hook! Many of these hooks are OVER A DOLLAR APEIECE! So, if we buy a $2 swim bait, you are adding 50% more cost just to throw it in the water. It seems the market is consolidating to a point where the manufacturers are in control of pricing, rather than market forces.
I like custom painted lures.I also like the elite line Rapala has come out with the last couple years.I got all the countdowns and several of the shadraps this year.
Great to know! And you are right, prices on terminal tackle/baits have gone through the roof. I get to the checkout at TW (your page of course) and can't believe it. And I typically don't go for any of the "high end" baits. Will be looking forward to your opinion on which ones are not worth the outlay.
I resisted for years then bought some megabass popmax. I became an instant top water hammer first time on top water. Took me 5 minutes to learn to walk it. Exquisite baits.
Caught 7 smallmouth from the bank tonight after work. One at 5 and a half 3 more at 4 plus. I agree spend money on baits you have confidence in.. For me, tonight it was a Thunder Cricket and a green pumpkin Ocho
Oh now we gotta do the opposite! Everyone has their own idea what is cheap but it would be fun to hear yours. Be cool to see what you recommend in soft plastics and hard baits!
I like the high end stuff, I just dropped 500 on a spinning outfit but on the same hand I will buy a 100.00 KVD rod . I do buy the best terminal tackle because if it doesn’t hold up then you are screwed . I buy good baits like Duo Lucky Craft and Megabass but I will also buy some Strike King or Rapala , same with soft plastic, other than Keitech and Jackall I haven’t ventured into the jdm market but I’m not opposed to doing so. Those Basstrix look nice I’m going to have to give them a try . I have always had a tendency to go get the latest and greatest but I have really slowed down on that because like most people I have a handful of baits that I use and the rest usually stays in the tackle box or at home.
Some of the more expensive baits are definitely worth the cost. The Fish Roller is a good example. It’s got that “it” factor. So too with some JDM finesse baits. They’re innovative and worth the cost especially in areas where fish are getting pressure.
@@MattStefanFishing That’s true, and just as in any other business, that cost is passed on to the consumer. We can hardly complain about, because the alternative is same ol, same ol lures or copying. So I’ll gladly pay that cost for a quality bait.
Original chatterbaits that were popular for so long were 4 to 6 dollars, and still are around that price. I would say the top 3 bladed jigs fished now, are all double that price range. But we all pay it for them
As a 99% bass fisherman, there is a bait that i use for crappie a few times a year that's expensive....i was hesitant to purchase it at first...$12...1 1/2" long...Rapala x-rap suspending jerkbait...this thing just plain works...a bass bait that's pricey for a soft bait...Little Creeper Trash fish & sunfish...not durable, but they just catch bass....definately have the IT factor
I just spent 3 days 8 hours a day going through jigs, spinner baits,replacing skirts and all my old worms oil them up put them in new bags, placed hooks on crank baits just getting everything from 1995 thru 2000 updated and use them all up. These prices are just stupid for baits today. I bought 25 bags of flatworms for $5.99 a bag thank GOD because they went stupid. I found jars of uncle josh pork rinds and original wiggke warts, smithwick rouges you name it I have got it and setup for 3 years of heavy bass fishing like 200 days a year and wont run out.
I’m a weekend warrior which means I have a limited amount of time to put as many fish in the boat as possible. For this reason I’m willing to spend a little more on tackle that produces. I think the real question is if a lure has a low price but doesn’t attract many fish is it worth it?
Actually the Japanese baits are expensive because of import tariffs. Shipping costs drive up my price for online US bait companies, especially those based back east. Buying locally is expensive here in Southern California because our minimum wage is the highest so retailers pass on the labor costs to the products on the floor. My advice, buy stuff on clearance and geek out with tricks, tips, dyes and mods.
Tried to order few bits from TW but they really suck in terms of shipping cost to Europe. 80 dollars for shipping of small items with tracking available is a robbery.
Baits get expensive bc of Megaass. Everyone wants to be them. I had to get Last Ace from Japan. Asian Portal Fishing ships super fast in a box for $5. That's insane. I get my stuff in two days. I should teach the pros about topwaters but the fans don't wanna hear me out. I can get a pro to win big money. Who will believe me? I think Mini Spunk is excellente. Not all baits are created equal.
Piss easy to copy for own use new abs plastic with areo spears. Bloody brilliant. Same with plastics . Ie paddle tails new platinum mold material is off the chart ya get perfect detail.😂
@@MattStefanFishing Actually I have plenty of $25 jerkbaits, enough crank baits to fish for 100 years, and god knows how much soft plastic, but I catch almost all of my bass on a Ned or Wacky rig, which does make me wonder if the lures I was happy to spend $25 on were actually worth it. But I’m a bank angler who fishes 5-6 hours a week, which is the opposite of a pro’s situation.
One day y'all will realize you're paying for the package and that's it. Takes a lot of money to print this week's top pro on a 25 cent bag of worms, you know.
@@MattStefanFishing yeah, the first dozen is going to cost you several hundred bucks, but it's all good after that, cheaper and cheaper the longer you do it... So scale that up to actual commercial levels of production and it gets very cheap, and you know that.
I’ve been fishing over 60 years and a prime example is a ballhead jig,which I use to pour my own for pennies and now they are $6.99 for a tungsten ballhead jig 😮 I bought coolbaits underspins 3 years ago (12) for $2.50 each, and now they are $6.99 each😮😮 I agree that MaxScent baits catch more bass and attract fish to bite and not let go 🍀🎣🍀 I have also spent $25.00 on baits that I have yet to catch a bass with 😢 this video helps for sure and I trust your recommendations 💯👍
Prices keep going up
I get more use out of my plastics by fixing them with Mend-It
Thanks for sharing
After about a 20 year sabbatical from fishing I went all in on JDM tackle. It was some great product and innovation. But the one thing that stuck with me was the Quality didn’t seem to match the price. Such as bodies cracking on lures , paint coming off Easily. But I do use a lot of JDM baits still and i do think a lot of fisherman where I live don’t use these types of baits … Advantage maybe ? I’m not a Tournament fisherman , but I do like nice things . I do still fish a lot of my old discontinued lures from the 1960s , 1970s , 1990s also. Thanks for posting this video today .
I’ve seen similar issues
A lot of jdm baits have thinner material and aren’t made to handle catching dozens of fish since a good day of bass fishing in japan is catching a fish or two
As a fun fisherman, Im very interested in your tips on storing soft plastics in clamshells. Appreciate the video too, I definitely wait until Black Friday sales to get into the pricier baits!
good video suggestion
What??? Clamshells??
Well Matt I have been using one of your tips from an older video, I have been killing them on a small buzzbait like the ones you talked about and they are awesome this time of year like you said! You might revisit that video because a lot more people are subscribed than back then. Just my opinion
Good idea!
I think your comment on most of us not being pros is spot on. Our lively hoods aren't at stake if we don't buy the best/most expensive lures.
I like some of the more expensive lures but in my situation, as a small river wading/kayaking fisherman, I have a tendency to lose more lures than I would like to admit. Throwing a $25 lure in a tree is a consideration.
What is most appalling to me, is the price of a stinking hook! Many of these hooks are OVER A DOLLAR APEIECE! So, if we buy a $2 swim bait, you are adding 50% more cost just to throw it in the water.
It seems the market is consolidating to a point where the manufacturers are in control of pricing, rather than market forces.
The cost to make them is pricey as well unfortunately
I like custom painted lures.I also like the elite line Rapala has come out with the last couple years.I got all the countdowns and several of the shadraps this year.
Thanks for sharing
Great to know! And you are right, prices on terminal tackle/baits have gone through the roof. I get to the checkout at TW (your page of course) and can't believe it. And I typically don't go for any of the "high end" baits. Will be looking forward to your opinion on which ones are not worth the outlay.
thanks for the support!
I resisted for years then bought some megabass popmax. I became an instant top water hammer first time on top water. Took me 5 minutes to learn to walk it. Exquisite baits.
Good stuff!
They might be well worth it , but one northern will set you back. The price is too much for me.
I just chalk that up as my offering to the fish gods lol. 😂
thats a fact haha
Caught 7 smallmouth from the bank tonight after work. One at 5 and a half 3 more at 4 plus. I agree spend money on baits you have confidence in.. For me, tonight it was a Thunder Cricket and a green pumpkin Ocho
Awesome!
Oh now we gotta do the opposite! Everyone has their own idea what is cheap but it would be fun to hear yours. Be cool to see what you recommend in soft plastics and hard baits!
Sounds like a good plan
Thanks Matt for the info and video those look great and t am interested in trying those ones you talked about 👍🏻
Glad you like them!
I like the high end stuff, I just dropped 500 on a spinning outfit but on the same hand I will buy a 100.00 KVD rod . I do buy the best terminal tackle because if it doesn’t hold up then you are screwed . I buy good baits like Duo Lucky Craft and Megabass but I will also buy some Strike King or Rapala , same with soft plastic, other than Keitech and Jackall I haven’t ventured into the jdm market but I’m not opposed to doing so. Those Basstrix look nice I’m going to have to give them a try . I have always had a tendency to go get the latest and greatest but I have really slowed down on that because like most people I have a handful of baits that I use and the rest usually stays in the tackle box or at home.
Thanks for sharing
Out in California many anglers often use the Huddleston swim baits.
Yep
Some of the more expensive baits are definitely worth the cost. The Fish Roller is a good example. It’s got that “it” factor. So too with some JDM finesse baits. They’re innovative and worth the cost especially in areas where fish are getting pressure.
Innovation is expensive for the innovators
@@MattStefanFishing That’s true, and just as in any other business, that cost is passed on to the consumer. We can hardly complain about, because the alternative is same ol, same ol lures or copying. So I’ll gladly pay that cost for a quality bait.
Original chatterbaits that were popular for so long were 4 to 6 dollars, and still are around that price. I would say the top 3 bladed jigs fished now, are all double that price range. But we all pay it for them
Getting expensive
I’m a firm believer in the Flat Worm for drop shot. It flat catches fish!
Yep!
As a 99% bass fisherman, there is a bait that i use for crappie a few times a year that's expensive....i was hesitant to purchase it at first...$12...1 1/2" long...Rapala x-rap suspending jerkbait...this thing just plain works...a bass bait that's pricey for a soft bait...Little Creeper Trash fish & sunfish...not durable, but they just catch bass....definately have the IT factor
Awesome
I won my last tourney on a flat worm. Love that bait.
Me too
That first hard body would be brilliant in soft plastic paddle tail formats. Be good with a oval tail thick.😂
Yep
I still use the Cordell Crazy shad and it works great.
Nice!
I just spent 3 days 8 hours a day going through jigs, spinner baits,replacing skirts and all my old worms oil them up put them in new bags, placed hooks on crank baits just getting everything from 1995 thru 2000 updated and use them all up. These prices are just stupid for baits today. I bought 25 bags of flatworms for $5.99 a bag thank GOD because they went stupid.
I found jars of uncle josh pork rinds and original wiggke warts, smithwick rouges you name it I have got it and setup for 3 years of heavy bass fishing like 200 days a year and wont run out.
You found some good stuff
I’m a weekend warrior which means I have a limited amount of time to put as many fish in the boat as possible. For this reason I’m willing to spend a little more on tackle that produces. I think the real question is if a lure has a low price but doesn’t attract many fish is it worth it?
Good video!
Spro Flappin Frog is twice as much as I would usually spend on a frog, but it catches me many bass.
if it works its worth it
Are the new Vixens as good as the old?
95% as good
the first gen of the vixens go for over $100
Yep
Yamamoto senkos 8-9$ a pack ! I catch way more fish on the yum dinger!3$ a pack
Yep
Thank you . Christmas is not fair away, and birthdays either .
I’m not letting go of summer yet haha
Matt What sizes do you like on the brians b and the fish roller?
The smaller sizes on Brian bee and 4” and 5” fish roller
@@MattStefanFishing thanks👍
Actually the Japanese baits are expensive because of import tariffs. Shipping costs drive up my price for online US bait companies, especially those based back east. Buying locally is expensive here in Southern California because our minimum wage is the highest so retailers pass on the labor costs to the products on the floor.
My advice, buy stuff on clearance and geek out with tricks, tips, dyes and mods.
Agreed
Thanks Matt
You bet
Tried to order few bits from TW but they really suck in terms of shipping cost to Europe. 80 dollars for shipping of small items with tracking available is a robbery.
Shipping overseas is ridiculous
@@MattStefanFishing well, Omnia and the Hook Up Tackle can do it for 20 dollars. TW simply don't care.
Vixen to paycheck to teckel. Just follow the designer and his OG mold
It’s been passed around
There’s more to it than the mold
You need to change out the split rings and the hooks on the Vixens and kickknockers
@@MichaelGraham-t2e I do that on almost all hard baits
Senkos.. lol
In Canada I think we’re like 12$ a pack now?
Geez
I think it's a matter of confidence not price
lots of times it is
I don't fish tournaments much anymore. So I really don't need high dollar lures too much....
Sounds good to me
A rico topwater chugger 23 dollars is it worth it. Never tried it
It’s a good one
Price tags really don't cost that much, like maybe a few cents. So, some lures would probably be worth it, but most probably not ;-D
Haha
Yamamoto baits are worth the extra money. The stick baits especially Nothing matches them
They are good
Baits get expensive bc of Megaass. Everyone wants to be them. I had to get Last Ace from Japan. Asian Portal Fishing ships super fast in a box for $5. That's insane. I get my stuff in two days.
I should teach the pros about topwaters but the fans don't wanna hear me out. I can get a pro to win big money. Who will believe me?
I think Mini Spunk is excellente. Not all baits are created equal.
Shipping is the main reason for expense
Good video but how many of these companies sponsor you?
Just Berkley i have no affiliation with any of the other companies
Megabass 110. A perfect jerkbait. Can't wait to see the overrated vid! Thanks for the info.
Thanks for watching!
👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for watching
Enough about the GD Vixen!! That’s 2 plugs in a month. People might start believing you. 😂😂. (It’s almost magical in some places.)
haha so good in the summer
25 -30 dollars for a lure means someone done shit and fell in it. I hope they go out of buisiness
Haha
Man is talking about expensive baits with hundreds of dollars in soft plastics alone in the backround
Yep
He is a pro fisherman so he better have those on the wall!
Piss easy to copy for own use new abs plastic with areo spears. Bloody brilliant. Same with plastics . Ie paddle tails new platinum mold material is off the chart ya get perfect detail.😂
Thanks for sharing
No!
ok
@@MattStefanFishing Actually I have plenty of $25 jerkbaits, enough crank baits to fish for 100 years, and god knows how much soft plastic, but I catch almost all of my bass on a Ned or Wacky rig, which does make me wonder if the lures I was happy to spend $25 on were actually worth it. But I’m a bank angler who fishes 5-6 hours a week, which is the opposite of a pro’s situation.
One day y'all will realize you're paying for the package and that's it.
Takes a lot of money to print this week's top pro on a 25 cent bag of worms, you know.
It costs a lot more than you think to make that pack of baits
@@MattStefanFishing yeah, the first dozen is going to cost you several hundred bucks, but it's all good after that, cheaper and cheaper the longer you do it...
So scale that up to actual commercial levels of production and it gets very cheap, and you know that.
Nope.
Ok
The real insanity is Glide baits. $$$
Pricey!