If I wanted to drive from Bahstahn to LA, I could do it safely and semi-comfortably in a $13,000 Toyota Corolla.

But if I can afford a $35,000 Lexus ES 300 and want to do it in that, why not? It doesn't make me any better as a driver, but it makes the trip more enjoyable.

I've made chip beef on toast in a 300 dollar bourgeat copper pan.

You know what?

It was average but I had a hell of a time doing it. Everything is realative...

-spence

I understand Flap's point that choosing to purchase any of the Aquaskinz products goes way beyond "need". He is right. He is also correct that being "catalog man" will not catch you fish.

If we were to all tell the truth, we all pass need during our first season fishing. Do we need custom rods, high end reels, the best quality plugs....nope, nope and absolutely not. This thread seems to be about how we each choose to "enjoy" the sport. Yes, I can enjoy fishing without my Lamiglass, Stradic, Power Pro, Habs, etc. etc. etc. I can catch a lot of fish with an ugly stick, a penn, and a rubber shad. I can catch plenty of big fish with bait and an even cheaper outfit.

However, I have felt the excitement of feeling the "swoosh" of a tail going by my plug because I throw good quality tackle. I work hard and choose to go beyond "need" in most areas of my life. I am not ashamed to say that I deserve nice things. I deserve to be comfortable. Mike P's Automobile analogy is right on. Choosing Aquaskinz products is a choice of comfort. My thought is what's wrong with that.

I live in Hull and do a lot of fishing right here in rocky spaces that are "hairy". Using Aquaskinz products takes a bit of my worries away so I can concentrate on the safety of my A$$ not the safety of my gear. I also find some added confidence when I know my gear is up to any task I choose to undertake. any fisherman worth his salt will tell you that confidence breeds sucess in the suds.

Do I sound like a salesman yet...Yeah, I do a bit of marketing for Aquaskinz and am definately jaded. However,those who know me know that My name does not get behind anything I would not own myself and the single row bag is already my favorite of the Aquaskinz line. The reason it is my favorite is that I heard all of the feedback from the last two years that created this bag. This bag was designed to meet the requests of many right on this board. I am proud that Kadir listened to the comments and feedback given to him when designing this bag.

You can compare and argue quality of a Surfcaster Bag vs and Aquaskinz bag. They are both good products in the same price range. I think the Aquaskinz bags have a few bonus mfeatures that make them better but forget that for a minute. What I think should sway the potential customers on this board is the fact that Kadir and others in the company are right here and in other places on a regular. When you have a problem we are here to adress it. Aquaskinz products are designed by fishermen for fishermen and the single row bag proves this statement to be true. Isn't that the type of company you want to be dealing with. It is for me, that is why I got involved.

Patrick your a wise man. Thanks for acknowledging my point. That is all I was inferring. It was not a personal attack on anybody, just a point of view. Thanks again. Bassmaster go back to sleep, you got 29 days to go then you may come out.

Steve,

I think everyone understood your point and no one took it as a personal attack. The fact that you made it seem as though the users of AquaSkinz belonged to a click or were about making a fashion statement is what I question.

It is akin to saying that people who use high end Shimano, Daiwa, Lami, Loomis, Whaler, Mako etc. belonging to the same.....not exactly accurate.

Both Ditch and Patrick made great points and are valid. The fact that a certain demographic needs this type of product and another doesn't but chooses to use it shouldn't be a point of contention by you or anyone else.

Plus, you question price, I understand you may not be familiar with manufacturing,the costs of raw goods and the overall process. There are multiple factors that affect the overall price of any item. The better the materials and process, the more it is going to cost, period. I always say, don't just look at the surface of something and make an assumption, delve down to the core of it and make an educated comment.

Also, whether you know someone personally or not, it is not appropriate to tell someone to go back to sleep and come out in 29 days...whether it was in joking or not.

As I said, everyone has a right to his or her opinion, don't just make a blanket statement, know something about what your saying before you say it.

If you were to ask me why my products cost a little more than say a Canyon or a Surfcaster, I would be able to explain it to you and you would have a better understanding.

Kadir

To just set the record straight. I really believe the best feature of my Rampage splash top is the color. Gray goes with practically everything :humpty:

-spence

Hey Flap, :wave:

Let's take a drive down to the South Fork of Long Island next November.

We'll hit a place called "M." :devil:

ok:) cant wait to fish .................. :putin:

We should all remember that if the only people who bought a high end product were the ones who really needed it to fufill it's function there would be very few made and they would be even more expensive.
When the New Yawkahs bought the farm down the road from me, my neighbor, a thrifty New Englander since retired to the Virgin Islands, told the John Deere salesman "Why did you sell them all those new tractors, They don't need them?" To which the salesman replied "Dave, so you could buy them used"

Kadir, first of all, I have known BASSMASTER for going on 13 years now. He and I know and most of the others on this board know it was a joke so you are totally out of line there. I didn't see your name on the moderators list. And don't tell me what is appropriate if YOU don't know the background.

Now that said, I do understand manufacturing and cost, having a number of friends in that line of business, and yes please explain to me "the cost" ? If there is a mistake on my part I would like to know.

And in closing I have been in the game a long, long time I have seen fads, trends and must haves come and go so I don't need to be preached to and it's not a "blanket statement". (Like 200.00 plus for pliers from VanStal and others) I have always been blunt and always say what I feel and probably will not change after 50 years of doing so. My horoscope says I always get off on the wrong foot with people. I admit and bow to it's understanding of my personality but what you see and what you hear from me is what you get.

Once again sorry if I criticized and/or questioned the price of your products but I have an opinion and I stated it and will not retract it. I wish you continued success with your products they are just not for me. :huh:

My point of view is this....I own a $200.00 pair of VS pliers. They were a splurge for me but they make my fishing experience easier and more worry free because I like the product and they hold up well. Yeah, I know there are other cheaper pliers out there but I felt good about these and have no regrets. Will I buy a VS reel for $600.00 plus? I doubt it! I do own the large and small Aquaskinz bags and I think they are a great product. My only wish on them is deeper tubes for longer plugs...otherwise, a good product for my hard earned coin that makes my fishing experience more enjoyable. Will I buy an Evo or Hurricane top.....yep! Soon, because it will fit my need and make my fishing experience a little dryer. I am not rich by any means, but I do believe in spending my money on products that will last me awhile. Others may see the Aquaskinz line in a different light and it all comes down to opinion.....they are like a$$holes and everyone has one! Kadir keep up the great work on your great products and Steve....we have a date to fish and I will have my VS pliers, my Skinz bags and, depending on the weather that day, my Evo top and you can use my pliers if'n you have a need! :laugha:

dont bigfish, i have my vs plyers and skins lure bags on my belt and a 150 or 250 to punish flaptail.
i dint read the whole thing butflap and screw with each other on the boards but we fish hard together all season.
i like the the belt bags plus i carry a vs bag, but most the time I just work outa 2 of them bags. i got 2 cause i like them and dont care who makes what around here as long as i get fish and get to get flap PO'd :spam: master is back quiet :pop: :uhuh: :thanks:

What he left out Kadir was... "Unless you send me one for free, than I will sing your praises to the masses"


;)

Steve, only yankin' ya chain... Happy Eastah! :D

Bassmaster...:kewl:

Posin, poser, posimatory excess...

Super poser.

Hele poser.

Deca poser.

Manja poser.

or in Italian, poser mille...

-spence

Has posed....will pose...super im-posed....indis-posed....supercalifragilisti-posed.... :laugha:

Steve,

Whether you know someone 13 days or 13 years, to make a statement such as the one you made is not right in my opinion. There are people here, I am sure, that don't know the background. Nothing personal. And you are right, I am not a moderator and don't wish to be.
Things like this are comical, someone knows someone in some line of work and assumes they know the details. Steve, I am certain you could tell me the cost of a square yard of the material used and how many square yards go into each bag or the cost of the special saltwater grade (rot proof) thread per thousand yards and even better yet, the cost for export and import duties for all the raw goods and then the finished product. To add to that, the costs associated with the type of plastics used for the tubes to the pecific size molds made & used for the different lengths and three seperate size trays that seperate AquaSkinz bags from any other plug bag in the market place. To fully understand the details, one has to dive head long into it. For me to get into all the intracacies of the manufacturing and cost would take a while, maybe we can discuss it during a session on the beach when I am on the Cape this summer. It isn't as simple as looking at a product at a show, in a catalogue or on-line and guessing what it should cost and whether or not it is too much.

Like you I have been doing this for some time as well and have seen the same. According to my calander, AquaSkinz is now "in the game" for 3+ years and isn't slowing down. Our dealer base gets stronger, our users sing the products praises and our line has continued to grow year after year and will continue to do so. If this was a fad or a trend, it would have been dead about 2 years ago.

Steve, I have said from the onset, you have a right to your opinion and I respect that. Apologies are not necessary in my opinion and thank you for your wishes. Hope to see you on the beach and maybe even in Montauk this Fall.

Kadir

You might be closer to the truth than you might think :rolleyes:

Aquaskinz bag
 

Frankly, I'm glad to see Flaptail's criticism, even though I dont agree with it. There are enough low priced, low end bags on the market to choose from. Aquaskinz is manufacturing better quality products for the high end of the market. I'm glad I have 3 coastal bags that take care of all my needs.
I'm tired of seeing some guys licking these manufacturers a$$es. The self promotion garbage kinda makes me sick.

I agree wholeheartedly with that statement :btu: ......As long as the criticism is directed to a flaw in a product ,regardless if its a plug ,bag or reel.Criticism based on the price alone tends to appear as sour grapes.
After all ,I don't see many guys drive Kia on the beach although it has 4 wheel drive.........

Dude, I just ate man, why did you have to put that visual in my head? blah.

:yak6:

Nothing like passing the same meal through your throat twice.