plug prices

[Clogston29]

supply and demand

if there were more of the "in demand" plugs out there, there'd be less demand and the price would go down. BM and Habs have been around a long time, have stood the test of time and are therefore in high demand - higher than either could/can maintain. Also, the fact that they're in demand, makes them more in demand because those that don't know why they are so in demand want to get some to find out. I hope that some of the newer builders have equal success over time. That will bring the market back down to reason. Example, if someone makes a danny that fishes and holds up like a BM (hopefully the bigfish) and is readily available (that will be the tough part), the demand for the BM danny will decrease. The problem is, that its almost impossible for a small, custom builder to keep up with demand when he comes up with something that everyone wants. whenever something is done in a limited run (plugs, baseball cards, sneakers, etc.) they're worth more.

[Saltheart]

Once the builder sells it , its not his business what the next guy does with it. Each person who owns one has the right to do what he wants with it.

i may sometimes laugh at people paying $100 for a plug and think they are crazy but its up to them if they think its worth it.

Anyway , I have no issues with people buying and selling anything in a free market. If you want them cheaper than an ebay reseller is getting , go to the tackle shops daily or get friendly with the owners of the shop so that you get some at original retail. I do not buy and sell plugs but i have no problem with those who do. Its part of the game.

BTW , I won't pay even $20 for a plug anymore. I bought tons when they were $7 but none at $20 (bought about 50 gibbs for an average of $7 when they were originally selling the business and simply kept them for use or to give as gifts ). There are jigs and plastic and eels and metal lures ,etc.

[Swimmer]

Sexy sells fishing lures and many other things...............

Personally I have a difficult time throwing some of my purchases in the water, not for the money, but some are truly works of art. I understand why is causes alarm when a plug is resold for huge money. The person who made it should be flattered though not dismayed. Peope that pay $100.00 for a plug dont fish, they collect.

[ilovetwofish]

I wiil not pay over 12$ dollars for a lure! I cant afford it I a have a family, and with the price of gas, and amount of time i spend traveling for fish I just cant spend the money.I wish I could there is some great looking plugs out there.

[WoodyCT]

Does it make one a plug flipping, price gouging, scum bag to capitalize on an opportunity to give your family a better standard of living by taking advantage of supply and demand? Is it bad to spot a good investment and profit from it? Perhaps the gumint should run all the custom plug shops and force us to stand in line for our ration of BMs, wads and pikies. The Plug Nazis- NO WAD FOR YOU!

[Sea Dangles]

I have paid too much for plugs and gotten double six months later. How can that possibly be anyones business other than mine?I'll have to ask Donny Musso if it bothers him. Nah, I don't care.Most of the plug sharks overpay and then use them to trade. If a person has a problem with others profitting off of their sweat they are in the wrong business,PERIOD.This issue seems to arise due to envy,pure and simple.

[Gunpowder]

like most of the people on this site, i fish all of the plugs i own. even the hab's.... cause thats wat he wanted!!! i can understand if only like 100 plugs were made of a certain kind like hab's jersey devil being put on the wall but i say fish all the rest and only buy one or two of each lure with the intent to fish them. not buy 10+ to sell at a higher price a year later like wat is happening on SOL. i love all the custom lures that are out there, but it is getting harder and harder to get one because they are being horded by so few.

[Skitterpop]

To each his or her own.

[nightfighter]

I couldn't possibly fish all the plugs I own, and I consider what I have a modest collection, compared to some I know of. Many that I like a lot, or are extremely nice pieces of woodworking and finishing, are hanging on exposed beams in my den. I like having fishing gear around, especially to get me through the winter months. I will have our Christmas tree adorned with plugs as well.

When Luds came by for a bite before a night of fishing on the boat, he told me that there were a couple that were in high demand. I guess I'm clueless on that front... I do have some Mac's, some for show, some to fish. Some of those were bought directly from Mac in the first years he was building, some at the end. Many in the collection have come via raffles/fundraisers, so how much did they cost me?????

That said, having changed the primary type of fishing I do from surf to boat, if I had a need to raise funds for a T-Top, or a primary high end boat reel, would I consider my collection as a source of funds??? Absolutely. And I would certainly look to see what market value was on various classified boards.

Lastly, if I were only able to procure custom plugs on the retail market, I would now have a small fraction of the collection I now enjoy. I recognize and admire the work that goes into each plug. But no way I could see myself going out and paying even just the retail prices to replace what I have. And the workmanship is probably worth more!!!

And I have yet to sell a plug, ever....

[luds]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

I couldn't possibly fish all the plugs I own, and I consider what I have a modest collection, compared to some I know of. Many that I like a lot, or are extremely nice pieces of woodworking and finishing, are hanging on exposed beams in my den. I like having fishing gear around, especially to get me through the winter months. I will have our Christmas tree adorned with plugs as well.

When Luds came by for a bite before a night of fishing on the boat, he told me that there were a couple that were in high demand. I guess I'm clueless on that front... I do have some Mac's, some for show, some to fish. Some of those were bought directly from Mac in the first years he was building, some at the end. Many in the collection have come via raffles/fundraisers, so how much did they cost me?????

That said, having changed the primary type of fishing I do from surf to boat, if I had a need to raise funds for a T-Top, or a primary high end boat reel, would I consider my collection as a source of funds??? Absolutely. And I would certainly look to see what market value was on various classified boards.

Lastly, if I were only able to procure custom plugs on the retail market, I would now have a small fraction of the collection I now enjoy. I recognize and admire the work that goes into each plug. But no way I could see myself going out and paying even just the retail prices to replace what I have. And the workmanship is probably worth more!!!

And I have yet to sell a plug, ever....

Ya got some nice pikies.

[riverrat2]

[QUOTE=Clogston29;542848]supply and demand

The demand for plugs is more a demand to add something to a collectiom not a demand for something to strictly catch fish with. I am willing to bet that a black gibbs danny will catch just as many fish as all these pretty black silver purple green, scales, floreascent with glow in the dark eye plugs will. BUt for some reason people have an obssesion with theses peices of wood that are supposed to be used to catch fish. Now they are looked at as artwork and collectors items. If the demand was purely fishing related you would not see prices so high. Do you think a fish can tell the difference between a Beachmaster danny that is black or one that is black with scales??

[BigFish]

Yup! The scales might add a bit of visibility, a bit more action as it would appear in the water as opposed to a "just black" of the same model. Everyone has their own beliefs as far as what plugs work for them, what colors, sizes, action, etc. So there is a few good reasons to have such diversity in all plugs.....its what puts the fisherman in his comfort zone! Having what he/she likes at any given moment on the water. Just my .02 cents Max.

[riverrat2]

Confidence is one thing, I feel more confident with my conventional compared to my spinner, do the fish care?NO but i still insist on using my conventional. Is the fish not going to eat a plug that doesnt have scales or all the bells and whistles? No. But if it helps you feel more confident than use it, because confidence does help.

[BigFish]

Yes but your fishing rod is not in the water with the fish thinking whether they should inhale it or not. That one little thing that the plug might or might not have might make all the difference in the world.....problem is you will never know....but the fish will.....if it takes!

[BigFish]

More to the point Max, what plugs and colors of those plugs do you like? I know you like yellow w/red head pencils......but does the fish care???? Probably not...but you still like to throw that yellow/red head right? I just think its a shame that guys that want the plugs to fish have to shell out for them on the secondary market or just not have them.....thats what sucks!

[riverrat2]

True, but bunker spoons have consistently produced LARGE, this season and seasons past and all they are a giant peice of metal. These fish cought on the boat are the same as the ones cought in the surf.

[Clogston29]

Originally Posted by riverrat2

Do you think a fish can tell the difference between a Beachmaster danny that is black or one that is black with scales??

not in the least. but i'm pretty sure that the fact that a bm swims much more consistantly than a gibbs makes a difference. and by that, I'm not saying that no gibbs dannys swim, but they are less consistant out of the package and often take on water resulting in variations in how they swim in my experience.

give me black, yellow/white, blue/pink/white and white and I'm happy - no scales or eyes necessary - but make it swim right

[Redsoxticket]

I bet you there are commercial and private builders silently licking their chops for the opportunity to raise there prices due to this high price aftermarket purchasing. However, without mentioning any names, I would like to thank the few builders that have always kept there prices at a modest/conservative value.

[Slingah]

The fish don't give a crap how pretty the plug is, it's the motion in the ocean...

you want real pretty plugs???ones that swim right??at a modest price??and are available?? buy BigFish Lures....Ive seen Larry test these and have done so myself .. there as good any and even better than some.
Don AfterHours plugs are pissa too and Salty makes some great stuff that is very reasonable...
I'm not saying anything that hasnt been said already, but there are options out there if you want plugs to fish(and catch).....
If people want to spend double for a hard to get piece of artlurecollectablewoodplug whatever you want to call it... all the power to them...I think it's foolish but maybe theyre having fun...

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[Slingah]

Originally Posted by Redsoxticket

I bet you there are commercial and private builders silently licking their chops for the opportunity to raise there prices due to this high price aftermarket purchasing. However, without mentioning any names, I would like to thank the few builders that have always kept there prices at a modest/conservative value.

raise to what?? a couple bucks more??
nobody would pay the aftermarket prices as asking price off the shelf.....
The guys who make customs are doing it for peanuts...there isnt any money in it....you would probally make more flipping burgers at McD's

[BigFish]

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

the way i look at it a plug builder should set his price so that whatever it is will yeild him a profit of whatever he deems necesary to make a decent wage.i have no pity on those builders crying that they aren't making any money or how they are slaving to make a buck.once the builder sells his plug to a shop the shop owner sets his price by what he pays for the plug and how much profit he has to make to run the shop and make a living.once some buys that plug it is no longer anyones concern what that person does with the plug, fish it or resell it.as far as the high price of certain plugs it is the internet hype that has created this demand.just 2 years ago there were shops on LI that were selling certain plugs for 18 dollars, these plugs were definetly fish catchers and used by many . they didn't fly out the door but sold at a steady pace, now they go for 60 bucks.and the poor guy that has been fishing them for the last 25 years is out of luck unless he knows someone or has deep pockets.

[Saltheart]

I think eyes make a big difference sometimes. I also know that there were days when several different color and shape poppers would not work but a small chrome creek chub would. Not sure why but I like having the plugs available in different styles and colors.

[lurch]

Originally Posted by l.i.fish.in.vt

the way i look at it a plug builder should set his price so that whatever it is will yeild him a profit.

If they dont they will be out of business soon.

Maybe we can get some of the local plug builders of the site can help us understand how they price their plugs?

Do they set their price for them to make a profit? Do they set the price for what the market bears? Do they set the price based upon what the local shops will buy them for?

[macojoe]

Ii can't afford them at $10 each!! I am still waiting to be a try it guy and get for free

[fishing bum wannabe]

The plug builder doesn't get the $20 you pay at the tackle shop. He probably gets $12 (60%). Out of that he has to pay a 10% Fed tax and pay for materials (you don't get crok/spro swivels and triple split rings and hand tied bucktail tail hooks on the chinese plastics). If he sells direct he has to deal with the costs of attending shows/flea markets and/or packaging/shipping for mail order. If he's efficient he makes a profit.

If you're unhappy with the cost of customs and happy with the chinese plastic, stick with them. The chinese make great lures (however not all are that inexpensive. Good plastic is in the $10-15 range). If you happen to want a descent needlefish or a large swimmer or a canal size pencil popper, you're SOoL because the demand isn't high enough and they don't exist in plastic. The custom plugbuilders fill a need, and if you think the price is too high, build your own or do without.

The idea that the plugmakers manipulate the demand and price for their product and that that is unfair and makes them bad people is ludicrous. I guess you expect that Lexus for the same price as the Camry too. I bet you always buy your rods/reels at Walmart too and don't have a Lami custom wrap (or it's equivalent) in your arsenal, because they're too expensive. Of course builders want a demand for their product that exceeds supply! Who wouldn't! It's great for the ego, if nothing else.

I build my own, trade a few, give a bunch to friends and catch a lot of fish on them (best fish this year, 75# SBFT on one of my needles this summer), and don't sell. I couldn't make a descent dollar with my production methods selling to shops. But I've seen most of the products by the current builders and am impressed with the work that went into them. In the right cicumstances, customs can be the only producers. The needle that I made and used for that Tuna was something that there is no plastic equivalent, and we had been trying everything in the tackle box to no effect. We have used the same needles on stripers to great effect when they wouldn't touch sluggos. Are customs worth the money? On some days they are priceless. You want one of my needle fish? And you thought $50 was expensive!

KarlF

When do I start saving money? I got more plugs than I'll use in a lifetime, and am already planning this winters production, and the cost of tooling and materials is more than I ever spent on lures.

[FrankG]

You want real pretty plugs???ones that swim right??at a modest price??and are available?? buy BigFish Lures....Ive seen Larry test these and have done so myself .. there as good any and even better than some.

Put 'em up for sale online or in some Long Island B&Ts and I will buy them.

[FrankG]

2 years ago there were shops on LI that were selling certain plugs for 18 dollars, these plugs were definetly fish catchers and used by many .

I bought my Beachmasters for $18 a piece. I remember people bitchin because they came with no hooks. Now they go for $45 and up on fleabay.

You want real pretty plugs???ones that swim right??at a modest price??and are available?? buy BigFish Lures.

I will, just put 'em all up for sale online or in a B&T on Long Island.

[Tburg]

If in this post , I repeat what others have posted please excuse me.
I do not log on as mush as i would like and I do not read all the posts all that closely as I should....

I would luv to be able to purchase plugs from all the small commercial builders on this site and by them direct and from the local B&T stores, but I cannot afford it and personally I cannot justify paying $25.00 or more for something that I could loose in the first cast...This is not to say that they are not worth the money... I dable in making a few plugs a year ( 10-15 max) for myself , family and friends. It takes time to make each plug and in no way or form do they match the quality of 99.9% of the ones I see on this site for show and or ones for sale.

If those that want to pay top and over the top $$ for a fishing plug or any other item then that indiviual made the decision to spend their own money....Those that inflate a price and recieve the money, well thay have done nothing wrong unless they do not deliver on the product they advertised. If there is a limited supply of a item for whatever reason and a demand for the item..well the cost to purchase will be higher...Were all adults for the most part and if you want it, purchase it , trade for it and or make it....

Merry Christmas to all and to all may you get many plugs to fish next season....

[striperondafly]

Originally Posted by chris L

its the buyers fault . those that are willing to pay what ever to buy a plug . dont pay more than makes you comfortable . I have a limit on price . I would rather give a plug to someone than charge them .

absolutely - some people have no patience or a lot of money to waste making some stuff in-accessible with is bs