Different tackle brands

I’ve been reading some threads lately talking about tackle and what’s available and it got me to thinking that I really only stick with a few major brands when it comes to tackle. You know the players: rapala, Northland, VMC, Berkeley… My tackle box is akin to a top 40 radio station with little to nothing in the way of B sides or deep tracks. I know this might be a bit of a broad question but what kinds of baits/brands would you guys recommend if I wanted to branch out a little bit and try something a little more unique? Or maybe digging into some local shops where they might sell locally produced baits? I guess im looking to develop more of a method for finding unique baits rather than the names of the baits themselves. Maybe just got to buy and try

It’s the quality of the marketing vs the quality of the baits. If you can combine quality baits with quality marketing you will have a hit. Look at Normark, they are a monster in the industry. They started with one quality bait and turned it into a behemoth with marketing.

If you want something different that will catch fish just check with the guys here who make baits & jigs. Sports shows are also a good place to find small guys building baits that work.

Northland fireball jigs are a must, but the rest of their jig quality is junk. Hooks break. Hutchs jig is usually what I get.

Look at tackle craft supply places and start putting some of your own creativity to work. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to put site names on here or not but PM me if interested.

SuperDave1959 wrote:

Look at tackle craft supply places and start putting some of your own creativity to work. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to put site names on here or not but PM me if interested.

This is the truth!

As a tackle maker working with many, many different molds for both lead and soft plastic I often have to work my way thru a learning curve with some molds if they have little nuances that make them different….or difficult. In this learning process I can end up with quite a pile of incomplete injections or bubbles inside the plastic or any of a dozen other things. When I hit the boat I bring a bag of these along and simply use them as I would a perfect bait. Often-times its a short end of a tail or twister that gives the bait a unique character and fish hit it better than the store bought bait almost identical to it.

The big thing with making your own are the colors that you can create that a factory bait can’t come close to. Hi lite and pearl additives and twist color around like crazy and often its the reflective quality of the plastic that trips a fish’s trigger.

Store bought baits are nice, yes. But truly unique stops at the store’s doors.

Cabelas and Scheels store brand crank baits have worked well for me.

Everyone’s needs and fishing styles are quite different. I find my best baits by finding that one or two key products from a manufacture that fills my specific needs. It could be color, profile, size, action, depth,…..

Biggest advise is to simply take the blinders off, and look at what you need.

If I take the blinders off, I’d see that I shouldn’t buy anything! I have baits that haven’t seen water yet.

I get most of my tackle at JRs Tackle in Brooklyn Park, good people, good prices and they make most of what they sell.

To add a couple of brands that I like but were not mentioned, Salmo and Sebile.

Karry Kyllo wrote:

Cabelas and Scheels store brand crank baits have worked well for me.

The Cabelas Mean Eye Square bill is by far my favorite crank bait!