When it comes to custom wood - yeah, I think the prices can get up there....and I feel that way mainly because you can't control how long you're going to own the plug ,,, (break-offs/snagged on a rock/bluefish-bitten/"HO'-ed" ,,, It's one thing if you pay a lot of money for it and you really take great care of it, wash it, wax it, re-hook it, BUT ...when you decide to fish it, any and every time you do....you're gambling on the chance of losing it. That's when it becomes expensive in my mind. I've never been a collector, I buy things to use them, so for that simple fact, yes...I find them expensive (especially when I can do GREAT with a $5 Creek Chub
) . The only plugs you'd see in a case at my house would be plugs that I caught memorable fish on etc// and decided to retire them for a particular personal reason, custom wood, plastice, rubber...a BARE HOOK if it means something to me....
Don't get me wrong, I give the custom guys a lot of credit. They make GREAT stuff. I've held some of Mr. Pogy's stuff and let me tell ya, the finish on his plugs scare me to even touch them, let alone fish them. Those plugs and many more of the top builders on this site are definately WORTH THE MONEY, just not always my money (
because I use and could lose them). I own plenty of custom stuff and will contine to buy them, just not in the volumes that "collectors" do. I think when you "collect" something, it becomes a hobby. Fishing isn't a hobby for me, it's a PASSION. I couldn't put a price on fishing. Guys talk about gas prices holding them back, bait being too expensive, gear prices outrageous/what have you,,, .....There's no shame in using your old Abu Garcia rod, a $5 dollar plug with a wire-leader for security and having a great time. If you really know what you're doing, you already know you don't need TOP $$ equipment to catch fish. Of course it helps...(ALOT)...but ask Roy about snoopy rods or scoobe doo, and they'res your pudding.
People afford what they want to afford (whether they can or not is a different question), that's the American way.
Sorry bob, long winded point of view....SHOOT ME
Do I think they're just "a piece of painted wood" ??? HELL NO, they ARE WORKS OF ART,,, but like Picasso's,,, I can't always afford them, but I wouldn't discredit it because I couldn't afford it. As a struggling artist wanna-be....I have much respect for ART work, and that's what a lot of our builders create.
. . .ok, I'll shut up now.