Unfortuneately some people cannot express their exact thoughts in words. As I said, I know Seawolf well and i know for a fact that he is not suggesting that if you are less fortunate that you need to find a new hobby. He is simply stating that if you cannot afford a habatat, then do not buy one. To sit here and say that plug prices are excluding some people from fishing is ridiculous. There are lots of options from 5 dollar rebels to 35 dollar beachmasters. It is the individuals choice to set their own budget and buy what you can afford, not give up fishing because you cannot buy the best of the best. There are dozens of lines of affordable fishing gear that catch, you need not spend thousands to get into the game. If you cannot afford a Rolls Royce does that mean you can't drive? I think not.
If I chose to spend $40 on a plug, it is because I can afford and want to, not because I need it to catch a fish. Lets stop making this personal, because the men that build those plugs earn every red cent they get and never truly get what they are worth. I know some of these guys, and in no way are they rolling in cash. They work hard to produce high quality products and when you put that kind of quality into it, the price will rise. This is not price gouging, this is providing quality for what it is worth. Are we slapping them in the faces by complaining about the prices? I think so. By btchn about the price it sounds to me like you are saying that the plugs are not worth it and that their work isn't worth the money. If that is your opinion then do not buy them.

I would not worry too much about the younger generation not being able to afford to fish....
These are the same people who will be shopping for $300,000 starter homes.

Its younger consumers from regions where wages are high that are looking for high-end stuff. If they can afford the house, the SUV, the gas, the high-maintenance wife - believe me - da' plug ain't much of a stretch.

I think it boils down to "He who dies with the most toys wins"
I have the "best (fill in the blank)" and it does'nt matter what sport or hobby you are talking about.
Fishing
Hunting
Golf
Cars
Model railroads
It also has to do with the elimination of the middle of the market, it's either Zebco or Van Stall. (That's a whole other story)
I know I still like my toys at 50.
I don't have the most expensive or shiniest but they work FOR ME.
And you are welcome to do whatever floats your boat.
On another related topic a guy on SOL is starting to build plugs as a hobby(I think) and is worried about going over budget, his # is 7500 Now thats scary

:devil:

i'm not a man of many words, as you can see from the number of posts, but i would like to put in my 2 cents if i could. Being a hobby plug builder and being self employed a few times i have to give these plug builders some respect. I build 2 or three plugs and they are close enough to being the same for me but to produce 1000 at a time, all the same!!! Overhead; shop, stock-wood,sealer, paint, hardware, machines, repair, maintenance, electric, heat, advertising, packaging, dealer mark-up,taxes, insurance, kids college, retirment and if you get to the point where you need to hire help...workers comp...etc...........
Can you justify $35? some will always say yes and some no. will i go out and spend $35 on a plug, yes, if i think that plug will give me $ 35 of entertainment. will i ever own 10 of them, no. To each their own as long as you are happy.
Thank you

I'm seldom a man of few words :chatter

But I second what Aqua-man just said :btu:

-spence

The main thing is that the STORE not the Builder sets the retail price. If people are willing to pay 30 in one store then the guy wil price them accordingly. I did a quick check around, and notied that different shops had different prices for the same plugs. Some plugs had a $2.30, some $1.30 shop around...

Also I have only seen one plug that was priced around $30. Most are $14-$25

Just wait fellas...the plugs from Taiwan and China will be (and maybe allready are) flooding the market which will lower the prices on the top brand makers. I bought some needles that look like superstrike plugs for 3$ a piece. These lures may not be the best or last as long but for 3$ I am willing to give them a try. I do not like the fact that the asian lures can undermine the local lure artisans with cheap labor but does the average fisherman really want to pay top dollar for a lure? I dont think so.

I believe that there are more "average" fisherman than experts so the majority of folks will choose to buy the cheeper lure....hell some folks spend 100$ on a combo while we (I) spend that in lures during a 1 of many shopping sprees.

They way I look at it is if the "cheap" lures swim just as well as the top brands then I cannot see spending top dollar on lures that a bluefish will destroy in seconds. In reality, how long does a "top brand" plug last..1 season...10 trips...or even 1 cast???

Walhie, I asked not to make this personal, lets not. My point was that these guys are not rich and making tons of cash on there wares. If you don't want to spend the cash, buy a lesser grade product. Last I knew, gibbs were still around $20, and lex were even less. Maybe those overseas plugs are just what you need.You are getting riled up over my opinion, which I am entitled to. I also do not want a pissing match, but you seem to want to throw pop shots and I will not stoop to that level. Don't want to spend the money, don't buy the plugs.

lmao,

For me, if I'm paying for a plug in the $30+ range it's going on the wall and not in the bag. It just doesn't make sense (in my wallet) to spend that kind of money when there are plenty of other plugs to throw which are similar and get the same result. Yes, the prices for wooden plugs are up there, but so has the demand and they go hand in hand. Be selective with your purchases to fit your go to successes. Be willing to repair and refurbish beat up plugs. Look for alternatives, experiment and try a little reverse engineering on your beaters.

i myself would never pay 35 bucks for a plug,but if you can afford that kind of money and the plug is a known fish catcher and is handcrafted like Gary2 and lefties wades etc.they are worth the money and enjoyment they bring to the owner. what gets me is the people who are paying good money for plugs that haven't even caught a fish.

custom plugs to be had
 

First off I need to say hi to John :) still got snow lol

Below is a posting from freak-bay ... sounds like a deal to be had out there!

item 7142711936
the guy has a bunch of custom lures El Cheap (all this for 5.99)


YOU ARE BIDDING ON 1 NEW PREMIUM QUALITY PURPLE SPARKLE NEEDLEFISH PLUG LURE.

INDIVIDUALLY TURNED FROM PREMIUM WOOD, WEIGHTED AND BALANCED.

RECESSED MOLDED EYES, SEALED, PAINTED AND EPOXIED (2 COATS FOR DURABILITY)

ALL SS THROUGH WIRED AND HARDWARE. 8"LONG, 1.6 OZ

WITH VMC PERMASTEEL TREBLE AND DRESSED SIWASH TAIL HOOK

DEADLY FOR STRIPED BASS, AND OTHER GAMEFISH

Even better....go to NJ Tackle and make your own :bounce:

VB, still a few feet in the yard. 6dollar plugs, i bet the guy is still making money on themLOL

Is NJTackle getting a kickback on those Plugs?

to comment on my reason for why i posted as i did the first time...i have seen the same thread rehashed several times over the past 2 years. and it always comes down to the same points are made. then, i see it again the other day. many have already stated the same points i made in replys on those other threads and again here - it's a simple case of supply and demand, and personal choice. to the manufacturer that can sell every lure they make for $20, $35 or more, more power to you.

now, what was i referring to when i said, "if you cannot pay, don't play"? i was referring to those that complain about these "thru the roof" prices. plain and simple, don't buy them! you have a choice. i was referring to people like you and i and everyone else that wants to go surf fishing. i have fees and costs i need to pay to be able to fish as i do. i fish $20 lures a lot and lures up to $30 from time to time and continue to buy ones that are no longer made. i don't complain openly that i need to spend money for that lure. i buy it as it fits my needs and that is my cost to fish as i do. i also buy many $2-$7 lures too. no one forces one to go buy a vs, a penn, a beachmaster lure, a hab's lure, a tattoo 's lure, a mac lure, a salty lure, a high end lure bag, a navy surplus bag, a suv to carry your gear in to go fishing, a beach permit to drive on the beach, korkers, waders, a boga grip, donnmar pliers, a crease fly, a high end fly reel, polarized sunglasses, vmc hooks, a dozen eels, braided or mono line, etc. - you, the buyer makes that decision. some make decisions by what is posted on these sites because of quality issues or general feedback. others because their friends fish them. that's your choice, fellow angler. now, am i saying that "joe new angler" cannot come into this "sport" and fish because it's too expensive? no. joe new angler can fish however they choseto and buy whatever they want to. no one said a custom $35 lure makes you more successful. i can buy some of these custom lures and not have to worry about tuning, barrels breaking, cheap hooks, poor paint, or whatever quality control issues come up. but again, that's a personal choice. if one wants to go buy nj tackle lures, go right ahead. if one wants to go buy a lathe and build their own, knock yourself out. this was never a social class issue, but personal choice issue.

lastly, you and toby used poor judgement by bringing my personal life into a public forum. i would have had no problem elaborating on my initial reply, w/o the personal issues. it was wrong to make assumptions on what you thought you saw or believed instead of what is the truth. toby retracted his post due to our communication offline, but i still need to explain issues that were not true. you both made assumptions of my business relationships and try to make them appear as fact, again publicly. i do not receive lures for free. i earned what i received. i didn't know you had access to my purchases last year to see what i did or did not purchase. last i knew, i didn't work for you, so how do you know what i can and cannot afford? it's unfortunate that i need to come back like this, but i needed to explain the truth both personally and as a business, publicly as you did.

Now thats funny.
You made my day. :thanks: :rotf2:

my most important plug is still only $3 for a bag of 6 at Walmart

*love* da storm shad.

Wish they would beef up the hooks though on the smaller models, I know someone who took 5 fish over 35 pounds this year on that lure, I have caught nice fish on the smaller ones and Ive had fish snap those things like twigs too..