i just dont understand it. who in their right mind is buying this :confused:

http://www.projo.com/fishing/content//projo_20050430_30lures.20db380.html

Please describe....all I am getting is a Providence Journal solicitation for my e-mail address and such and they ain't gettin' it! :doh:

whats the article about?

This sounds like more of a hype than anything? $250 for a jointed rubber lure?

Its about the guy who is selling those tripple jointed largemouth bass lures that are about the same size as a small tout.. Designed to catch world record sized largemouth.

oh and they are plastic. :hs:

BigFish plugs will be on sale shortly...."only" $75.00 each. Get your orders in now! :doh:

Order before midnight tonight and get 2 plugs for $100.00!!! :happy:

Please describe....all I am getting is a Providence Journal solicitation for my e-mail address and such and they ain't gettin' it! :doh:
Here it is BF:

The big-bass lures have big price tags

01:00 AM EDT on Saturday, April 30, 2005

BY TOM MEADE
Journal Sports Writer

SEEKONK -- Eastern anglers are following the lead of their California counterparts, investing in expensive, handmade lures designed to entice trophy largemouth bass.

Bill Quatrucci, the owner of Bill's Bait & Tackle and a big-bass hunter himself, sells one California lure, the 3:16 Armageddon, for $250. Over the last year, he has sold more than 300 Generic Rat lures at $40 apiece and about 15 Generic Live Trout swimming baits at $100 a pop.

"These baits are designed to catch the next world record," Quatrucci says. "That's why people are buying them."

The 3:16 Armageddon is 10 inches long and weighs 6.9 ounces, requiring heavier than normal tackle to fish it effectively, Quatrucci says. For a little over $200, an angler can buy a rod, reel and line that will do the trick, but there are better and more expensive rigs also available to cast the new large lures.

"I, personally, have not thrown the Armageddon because of its price," Quatrucci says. "My girlfriend Helen would kill me if she saw it missing from the case."

The $250 lure has become a conversation piece in Bill's Bait & Tackle, Quatrucci says, but it's a hot item among collectors in Japan who pay $500 for the lure, and among big-bass hunters in Southern California. The bass there are much larger than they are in New England because of California's warmer weather.

Large bass eat other large animals. In lakes where trout are stocked, the stocking truck is like a chuck-wagon for lurking largemouths.

"Swim Armageddon slowly, dead-stick it, twitch it, walk it along the surface, or pull it underwater," lure-maker Mickey Ellis advises on his company's Web site. "It will swim nicely across the surface like a lazy trout, triggering violent strikes. However you fish the Armageddon, the bait will produce. The Armageddon is built for anyone with the guts to go after trophy and record bass."

(George Washington Perry caught the reigning record -- a 22-pound, 4-ounce lunker -- 72 years ago.)

The Armageddon's swimming action is built into its four segments, jointed with graphite hinges. A story about the lure and its California maker appears in the April issue of Field & Stream magazine. The piece should stimulate more interest and sales for the 3:16 Lure Company, Quatrucci says.

In the meantime, he is selling plenty of artificial baits made by another Californian, Jerry Rago, also featured in the April issue of Field & Stream.

Rago's Generic Rat bait has become a bestseller at Bill's despite a slow start. "I ordered 30 of them to start with, and they sat in the case for about a month," Quatrucci remembers. "Two or three people bought them, and then word-of-mouth took overA lot of people have caught the biggest bass of their lives on this bait. Word spread."

One angler who caught and released a trophy bass on the rat bait had a replica of the fish made and gave up the $40 lure so a taxidermist could incorporate the Generic Rat into the mount. The fish looks as though it's attacking the rat.

The 2-ounce lure has a jointed 5-inch body and a 4-inch tail, made from a soft-plastic worm. Terrestrial rats, muskrats, and other rodents are prey to big bass, but other fish ---- including yellow perch and crappie, have also hit the Generic Rat, Quatrucci says. Bass that are smaller than the lure have attacked it, too.

A former tournament fisherman who converted to the solitary pursuit of trophy bass, Quatrucci says he's been surprised by the number of New England bass anglers who have been buying the expensive lures. "There are a lot more people than I would have thought who are just after big fish, a lot of serious guys who don't fish tournaments," he says.

The next world-record bass almost certainly will come from waters warmer than New England's, but that won't stop eastern anglers from buying baits that may catch the biggest bass in the region, no matter how expensive the lures are.

If anyone in New England believes they are going to catch a largemouth anywhere near 22+ pounds then they should instead take the $100.00 and invest it in a good therapy session! :hidin: <Get back on the couch fool!

I could somewhat understand it if was designed to catch giant tuna or sharks. something huge or complicated and expensive to make, designed to catch giant fish, but for a freshwater bass - you've got to be kidding.
Like salty said it is a hype article, trying to sell folks the new 'silver bullet' of fishing. (have you seen the infomercial with the lure that has a blinking light? :hihi: )

why couldn't someone just use saltwater plugs if that's what they wanted to do?

Bingo! :hihi:

why couldn't someone just use saltwater plugs if that's what they wanted to do?

When I lived in south TX people used many of the same plugs we use in the surf for the freshwater stripers and hybrids.Needless to say many a striper fisherman down there also caught huge largemouths on their striper plugs.

If anyone in New England believes they are going to catch a largemouth anywhere near 22+ pounds then they should instead take the $100.00 and invest it in a good therapy session! :hidin: <Get back on the couch fool!

Or on rehab :rollem: Put down that pipe, son :doh:

Okay you guys your going to let me have it, I know. I have many of the Cali swimbaits used for Largemouth bass. I got into them three years ago after trying Surf plugs with great success. They don't come cheap, but neither do todays surf plugs. In the North East the world record will never be broken, but out west the fish of a life time is possible. These guys who make these plugs are making a killing on the trophy hunter. If someone was to ever catch the next world record bass he or she would be a millionare over night. So to these crazy bass nuts $40 or even $100 is nothing for an edge to bring them closer to that fish. I'm not saying that the whole thing is right. I'm just saying that these guys have started a trend on the west coast and it's starting to catch on here in the east. Many of my trophy largemouths do come on swim baits and I am one of the few to blame for starting the use of swim baits here in the east coast. They do work. yes some are outrageous in price, but more resonable ones do catch fish and the rago rat is an amazing fish catcher. I think that if some of you plug makers got into some of the trout patterns and rat like lures you could make a killing here in the east. Billy Q is one of the top trophy bass fisherman around and his nowledge of such baits is great. he has also caught on the the new trend. So if any one wants to see some of these cali wooden baits just let me know. I have many even the 3:16, and I already know I need help...lol

Okay you guys your going to let me have it, I know. I have many of the Cali swimbaits used for Largemouth bass. I got into them three years ago after trying Surf plugs with great success. They don't come cheap, but neither do todays surf plugs. In the North East the world record will never be broken, but out west the fish of a life time is possible. These guys who make these plugs are making a killing on the trophy hunter. If someone was to ever catch the next world record bass he or she would be a millionare over night. So to these crazy bass nuts $40 or even $100 is nothing for an edge to bring them closer to that fish. I'm not saying that the whole thing is right. I'm just saying that these guys have started a trend on the west coast and it's starting to catch on here in the east. Many of my trophy largemouths do come on swim baits and I am one of the few to blame for starting the use of swim baits here in the east coast. They do work. yes some are outrageous in price, but more resonable ones do catch fish and the rago rat is an amazing fish catcher. I think that if some of you plug makers got into some of the trout patterns and rat like lures you could make a killing here in the east. Billy Q is one of the top trophy bass fisherman around and his nowledge of such baits is great. he has also caught on the the new trend. So if any one wants to see some of these cali wooden baits just let me know. I have many even the 3:16, and I already know I need help...lol

I agree on the next world record largemouth being worth huge dinero. A world record striper would pale moneywise in comparison.

As a majority surf fisherman are on the frugal side. Where as Bass fisherman (especially the tournament guys) spend a lot more on average. And there are alot more of them than us saltwater types. Bass Pro Shop would probably pay a million for the fish if it were kept alive to put it in their tank. Think of what a traffic draw a fish like that would bring to them. Then all the endorsements from the big names. Yes a very competitive game with alot of players.

I, for one, would like to see some pics of these plugs Roy...if you could. :eyes:

My point was simply, if some cheesehead buys these and thinks if he takes them to Long Pond in Plymouth and thinks a monster 23 pounder is there for the taking...he needs his head examined. I do think they might be worth while in places like Florida, California and New Mexico where the large are more than likely living.

I think we should sell our stuff in California -- check out the pic's of the rat and mouse.

Larry - you are the jointed expert here - how about making a couple for fishing the ditch.

I once heard that the bass actually come right out of the water to chase the rats along the canal!! I sure have seen some big ones there also. Perhaps it's true?? :buds: :cheers: :hihi:

here's a link to a site that carry's alot of swim baits.
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/swimbaits.html

I'll post some home pics of a few tomorrow. I'm not staying at home tonight. i think most guys here in the NE are looking for a bass over 10lbs or 10lbs. you could count the number of recorded Largemouths 10 or better on your hands in the last 50 years from MA. So a fish of that size is just like catching a striper over 60. Crazy industry if you ask me.

Hardly an expert Don...just tinkering with some success. I did just finish a couple I made especially for throwing into the ditch! They should imitate herring perfectly...we shall see! I never have had much luck in the Canal, so I guess if I can hook up on these then I must be doing something right. :bl2:

I think bill's got the 13th largest bass caught in mass.10 pounds, long pond. those guys target big bass 5 plus pounds.big baits big fish. they get then too.ed :sled:

The rago's are nice killer action. Do a search theres a video of them swimming online. I wanna say its on cali tackle something.... Yeah the 3:16 is niiice but I dunno not $250+ nice... ffs its made from injection molded plastic! There was an article in Aprils Fiend n Stream on the guy who makes them...These guys are serious about the bass they get and hey to each their own.. the average bass in cali is what 7lbs? 7lbs 'round these parts and you're :happy: Roy if you need rago's let me know :faga:

http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/fishing/article/0,13199,1039836-2,00.html

Another article

Whats next? $500 fishing reels? :faga:

For stripers or for tuna. We are already there for fly fishing, large game.

Hey Larry -- I will be happy to try those for the canal for you. WOW what a HO! :hee: :hee:

How big is this one? :hidin:

Seven (7) pounds! :wavey:

whoa! nice one!

AWWWW for cry'n out loud Larry ---- throw the fish back!!! All else looks like keeper !!! Fish about 5 pounds! :tm: :tm: :tm:

You guys are way off....that fish is identical in size to the 16 pound mount at One Shot on the Canal. We did not have a scale or a tape but we layed it out and it measured 24 inches in length.....I have a huge fist and when we were holding the fish (before we released it) I took my fist and it fit in the fishes mouth with room for me to move it in a circular motion.....quite a fish mark my words. 5 pounds...7 pounds...I don't think so! I must say that fish was over 10 easy. But alas....I guess I really have no proof...but I believe me...I was there! :happy:

Fishchicks 2nd day fishing ever! Her first day she caught a 3 pound large and a white perch she could have gotten a state pin for...released! :hihi:

Sorry guys still haven't made it home for the pics. i did go fishing and caught 15 largemouths my biggest were 6.11, 7.5, an 8lb. Not bad for Wachusetts Res. Not on swimbaits, but live lining big Yellow perch.

Damn nice fish...Roy you da man. That one you are holding resembles FishChicks in size.....how long was that? :kewl:

Avery good friend of mine named Dan Morin recently got a 16.6 pound laker out of wachusett. He specializes in the use of yellow perch for bait. He comes to the cape and we go jigging in ice fishing season for 3 and four inch perch. he keeps them alive in a tank just for fishing wachusett. the ones that croak he freezes and uses on the bottom for lakers as well. Dan used to fish the beach hard in the old days, he is amemeber of the one night, 1000 pond club. Monomoy of course.

Thanks Big fish the fish was 23" long with a 17" girth. Flap I saw the picture of that 16+at B&A nice fish I take my hat off to your buddy. People dont realize the great bait that yellow perch can make. It's just such a natural and aboundant bait that all fish feed on.

Roy, in the old days when I lived in Worcester we used to go to Wachusett and fish small jointed Jitterbugs (black) on hot summer nights along the shore, we would walk for miles and take huge bass that way, many six and larger. Also, we would get some tremendous Smallmouth that way. Dave K, another friend who now lives near me on the cape but originally from Berlin MA., got what easily would have been the state record smallie one night easily.had to be near ten pounds. But we never kept any, just caught and released them. ( we were not supposed to be in the areas we were in night or day) We used to ice fish it. Got to Spags in Shrewsbury, buy a bunch of cheap tilts, take off the red flag and spray paint them white and gray and set them at night and leave them till the next night, man what fish and some of the tilts were dragged through the holes! It got hairy though and a couple guys we knew that were doing it also got bagged and we eventually quit that scene. Got to be a twenty five pound plus Brown in there, you keep at it maybe you will get him! :hihi:

live perch.... oh them LMB love them live perch ... :drool:
hmmm, you guys are giveing me freshy fever, haven't had that in a while....

Karl, I know it's hard but when the tide is wrong or the mung is in call me and you can come down to Falmouth and we will go to Ashumet Pond in my skiff and throw Carolina rigged worms to largemouths and Gitzits to Smallies! Maybe a little after dark jitterbuggin as well! Me and my daughter Cara catch some really nice fish there though Cara prefers her "own" lake in Charlton. She caught more big largemouths there in the last three years then most hardcore bass guys and mostly off "her" dock. :hee:

Okay here's the pics some mite be dark. These are the fish arrow ones and are hand made of wood in japan. The smaller one is a top water spook like bait.Price $59.99

This is an Optimum Bait price on this one is $89.00

This is an MS Slammer and is 14" long and about 4" round. price $ 59.99

The Rago Generic "live trout" price $79.99

This is the 3:16 special edition walk bait. price $150.00 The tail on this bait is made of Lexan