Quality of VMC spoons declining???

Over the last couple years I have been impressed with the quality of the VMC tackle I have purchased. So I ordered a bunch more this year (from Cabelas) and it seems to me that the quality has declined a bit. Many of the items arrived with scratches, paint chips, and or small paint blemishes. Packaging was all in good shape, indicating it was not the result of shipping damages. Just curious if anyone else feels the same — maybe I am just nit-picking. Please feel free to suggest your favorite brands of spoons.

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Did you by chance get someone returned stuff? I haven’t noticed any issues..

I just started buying VMC lures last year love the tinkler spoon. I noticed to that paint came off on one of them and the hooks are dull. Hopefully just a oops but they cost enough.

I love VMC tungsten flies, but at the high price for a 1/32 ounce jig the tied wrap around the hook shank falls apart in a real hurry. My recent ones became bare, plain glow white jigs after maybe a dozen perch clamped onto them.

I experienced the same issues mainly with the tingler spoons as well.

I agree but more with the quality of their terminal tackle, mostly hooks. I have had more hooks break on their jigs and spoons while unhooking fish with forceps, using normal force. Also I’ve noticed that their spinshot hooks for drop shotting bass tend to break after about 3-4 fish caught. Stopped using them after losing half a dozen bass. Too bad because I really liked the design.

White vinegar and a little buffing will get that right out

I have had a few new tungsten tubby jigs where the paint came off the jig head after a handful of bluegills (didnt use any kind of tool to remove the jig from the fishes mouth either). The jig still worked fine as I had a plastic on it and still caught fish but it wasnt as bright in the water anymore

buckybadger wrote:

I love VMC tungsten flies, but at the high price for a 1/32 ounce jig the tied wrap around the hook shank falls apart in a real hurry. My recent ones became bare, plain glow white jigs after maybe a dozen perch clamped onto them.

Ive had the exact same thing happen but I still buy more of them. They fall apart quick when catching a lot of fish but hey at least your catching a lot of fish.

I have noticed a general decline in quality of all the different brands that are owned by that company ie Rapala lure Jensen, VMC, etc. Look at a new Krocodile spoon they don’t even look like the same spoon anymore.

nhamm wrote:

White vinegar and a little buffing will get that right out

I hear it works wonders.

Never had a problem with paint, but I have broken more than a couple hooks removing them from fish. It’s concerning because I have only had issues with the hooks on their spoons and not one issue with the plain trebles I buy from them.

I use to never had problems with VMC but last few treble hooks for ice fishing lures on the Flash Champs broke from catfishing…new ones too.

Same thing for me!!! I sent them a email with the pictures and VMC sent me replacement baits.

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The paint fell off right out of the package. I didn’t get a chance to fish the bait. They responded right away to my email and federal express 4 new baits to me in 3 days. I’m happy with their customer service!!!

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I’ve had rattles fall of the rattle spoons after some use, and paint issues as well. Kind of frustrating when they’re $5 each.

But, they do catch fish. I still buy them. One of my favorite vendors out there.