How bad will plug prices be at RISSA this year? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Rockport24 · 03-30-2008, 10:04 PM

I agree with the people that said that the prices are worth it and it's a supply/demand thing. I dont' think any of our favorite plug makers are getting rich on making plugs and I'd venture to say I don't think any of them do it as a full time job (I could be putting my foot in my mouth, but I would be very surprised if any of them did). It's a labor of love and if these guys break even they're lucky. On the flip side, if any of them did get rich more power to them. I mean, think of the market for this stuff, it's very niche, not only is surfcating in general very nich, but the market for $20-30 plugs has got to me even more niche.

numbskull · 03-31-2008, 09:30 AM

We buy plugs to make us happy. Fishing them is only a small part of it. Yesterday I paid 17 bucks for a new style jig (looks like a crab but is still just a JIG for Christ's sake) made by Shimano. WTF was I thinking? So it goes.

Mr. Sandman · 03-31-2008, 10:46 AM

I think I may have miscommunicated my thoughts on this topic. (it happens) Like many of you...I have a ton of wood from most builders here and I am happy with everything I have purchased and think their price for the most part is fair. Very recently I purchased a bunch of 3 oz tattoo darters from Surf-casting RI for what I thought was a great price of 15 bucks each, with no tax and no shipping (for orders > than some min)...can't beat that with a stick! I certainly can't make them for that.

My concern is mainly about this auction activity and the possibility that it might eventually bleed over to the retail shops and possibly the direct sellers. When you see some plugs selling for triple digits online and you are selling the same on in your shop for 1/4 that price... I am sure the thought has crossed the minds of the shopkeepers. Moreover, we all know the "feeding frenzy" that is created at shows like RISSA when say someone has a limited number of plugs. (Heck, it has already started! I can feel some of you drooling already over here) I endorse the limits that are placed to a single buyer but with that much demand the business-man in anyone has to see that this will support a higher price. My concern is will this be the show that you see $50+ plugs being sold as a way to chill the hot demand slightly.

Again I am sorry if I POed anyone, I've tinkered around and made a few plugs myself and know the amount effort that goes into a some of these. If I sold a plug I made, and charged my "going rate" to build it....I couldn't afford to buy it and no one would pay that for a plug.

I know you're not making any "big money" building plugs... my fear was that could this auction thing force retailers to change their business model. I had posted this thread after getting upset at some prices paid for some pretty standard plugs on ebay and was wondering if we might see this type of thing follow thru to rissa. I do recall SWE held the line on beachmasters last year but I know there were some guys that probably flipped them within a few days of the show. If this continues to happen the retailer or the builder himself can cut out the easy bucks made from this and cash in himself...you can't blame him for doing it.

riverrat2 · 03-31-2008, 10:51 AM

Man all this controversy over peices of wood that rarely catch fish.

Mr. Sandman · 03-31-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverrat2

Man all this controversy over peices of wood that rarely catch fish.

you must be a bait guy

BigFish · 03-31-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverrat2

Man all this controversy over peices of wood that rarely catch fish.

No more plugs for Max.

No harm done I think Sandman!

BigFish · 03-31-2008, 11:41 AM

I will say, what if a business like SWE instead of selling BM Cowboys for $23.00 like they did last year at RISAA bumped the price on the same plug to $35.00.......do you think that would help in keeping the flippers at bay? Or would the price just be that much higher? I think the latter!

riverrat2 · 03-31-2008, 01:05 PM

Tongue was firmly in cheak Larry

Mr. Sandman · 03-31-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numbskull

We buy plugs to make us happy. Fishing them is only a small part of it. Yesterday I paid 17 bucks for a new style jig (looks like a crab but is still just a JIG for Christ's sake) made by Shimano. WTF was I thinking? So it goes.

I know. I just bought this because I had to have it....

Rockport24 · 03-31-2008, 11:36 AM

I think you got a good point there sandman. I wouldn't blame SWE if they jacked up the prices on beachmasters or other "hot" plugs, like you have noted, that's just good business. I agree that it would be a shame if the price of plugs went way up across the board, but that would only happen if we let it. everyone complains about the price of a van staal, but a lot of guys have one