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..