Best bang-for-the-buck soft plastic baits?

[jazzwannabe]

Need your opinions on worms and swimbaits that you consider the best "bang for buck" products out there, and where to buy them. I'm thinking about split-shot worms and shad-style swimbaits that you can get in big fat bags without going broke, nothing too fancy really. Thanks.

[snapitoff2002]

Zoom trick worms... 20 in a pack.

Storm, or River to Sea bottom walkers. Sometimes those are as good as anything.

[Austen]

buy a bottle of mend-it too. it will save you alot

[brambo0311]

For split shot and izzy rig.. Manns Dragon, they started makeing them again. Swim baits I like those big hammers.

[Ron C]

You get what you pay for, so go with the best, not the cheapest: Roboworms, Yamamoto, and Huddleston Deluxe. Of course you can't go wrong with Zoom stuff either - which is relatively inexpensive.

[Hitman]

For plastics I recommend the Strike King elastic baits. Try the Zero (senko style bait) - you can catch 20+ fish on 1 bait! You can find them at Walmart too.

By far the best bang for your buck as a pack can last you multiple fishing trips...hows that for value?!

Hitman

[Oldschool]

You may save money buying bulk mass produced soft plastics and swimbaits, however your time on the water catching fish should be your primary concern. If you don't value time and catching occasional bass is what like to do, then go to Walmart or BSP and buy Zoom and Storm products, they will satisfy your needs.
On the other hand if you want to improve your bass catch rate; try the hgiher quality products like Roboworms or Huddlestons.
Tom

[brambo0311]

I have to agree with everyone in here on this. Allot of baits that are cheaper are actually better but if I am going to invest thousands into boats, gas, oil, rods, reels, ect.... I am going to use the best bait available for whatever technique is producing the biggest fish that day.

If I take off a day of work, fill up the truck and boat I have already lost hundreds so I am gunna bring the real senkos, ECT...

If you want to save allot of money start making your own lead heads, shaky heads and jigs.

[cib11b]

Buy from tacklewarehouse.com. You can get the good stuff at the lowest price. I also second the strike king baits, they last forever! They stretch like 4 times there body length sometimes hard to get a hook through them. If you use senko's just get a senko tool and some o rings it will save you tons of cash fishin' wacky. I make my own drop shot weights so I save a ton of money there also.

[aNNieNsaLTIE]

that glue that Mickey gives you when you order from 3:16 is awesome. comes in a little nail polish bottle.

I had a moment when i went CRAZY over basstrix. I am probably sitting on 80 packs. The reason why I still have so much is becuase after every trip i take about 2 minutes and reglue all my baits. it is easy. just brush a little glue over the torn parts and let it sit.

Steven

[drew]

When you say "best "bang for the buck"" I'm assuming you mean the best value. If the bait is inexpensive but does not work, it's a poor value. Plastics in general are the least expensive lures or baits that a bass anglers uses.

My recommendation for your application is Roboworm products. They have impeccable quality, consistent colors and they are very effective.

best "bang for buck"

[WishinIwerFishin]

For dropshottin' I think RoboWorms are the best bang for the buck......because they catch fish and do a great job of it. You get what you pay for......usualy, but there are some exceptions out there.

[WishinIwerFishin]

best "bang for buck"

[/quote]

The answer to that is probably a .300win mag!

[RipnRog]

For senko's I found some that are awsome and the price can not be beat.... they work exactly the same and at a fraction of the price.......


Here is a link check out all of the products as they are awsome.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Stick-Baits-Pro-Pac ... 7C294%3A30

[jazzwannabe]

For dropshottin' I think RoboWorms are the best bang for the buck......because they catch fish and do a great job of it. You get what you pay for......usualy, but there are some exceptions out there.

I should have been more specific. I don't won't cheapie knockoff baits, but I don't want to spend $6 or more for a small bag of scented worms or whatever, especially when they fall apart so easily. I have been experimenting with Gulp minnows and Gulp shaky worms, and I just think they're a little too expensive for what they are, and I don't even really know if they catch more fish. I was thinking I could get some "good" worms and swim shad and just add my own scents, hopefully saving a few bucks in the long run. My budget is limited.

I do know there's no way I could spend $16 for a couple of swimbaits and still feel good about it — I'd sure hate to break one off. When I see those $50 trophy baits, I can't even fathom that.

[MIKE TREMONT]

I should have been more specific. I don't won't cheapie knockoff baits, but I don't want to spend $6 or more for a small bag of scented worms or whatever, especially when they fall apart so easily. I have been experimenting with Gulp minnows and Gulp shaky worms, and I just think they're a little too expensive for what they are, and I don't even really know if they catch more fish. I was thinking I could get some "good" worms and swim shad and just add my own scents, hopefully saving a few bucks in the long run. My budget is limited.

Yes!

I'm as frugal as they come. I spend money when I have to, but somethings are a waste in my opinion, unless it makes you feel good keeping some of the biggest names in the money. Gulp is some pricey stuff and I haven't bought it for years cause I was unimpressed with it. I've just recently purchased some more for an up coming event, but wouldn't of if I didn't have to use their product.

[ash]

For dropshottin' I think RoboWorms are the best bang for the buck......because they catch fish and do a great job of it. You get what you pay for......usualy, but there are some exceptions out there.

I should have been more specific. I don't won't cheapie knockoff baits, but I don't want to spend $6 or more for a small bag of scented worms or whatever, especially when they fall apart so easily. I have been experimenting with Gulp minnows and Gulp shaky worms, and I just think they're a little too expensive for what they are, and I don't even really know if they catch more fish. I was thinking I could get some "good" worms and swim shad and just add my own scents, hopefully saving a few bucks in the long run. My budget is limited.

I do know there's no way I could spend $16 for a couple of swimbaits and still feel good about it — I'd sure hate to break one off. When I see those $50 trophy baits, I can't even fathom that.

There is a way to spend 16 for a swimbait and feel good about it...its when you start knockin good fish with it

Three years ago I bought a Slammer for like 50.00 OUCH I have cought so many fish on this bait and tons of fish into the 5 - 7 lb class. All on one bait - that is only 5-7 bags of plastics on a bait that has lasted me for 3 years and memories of nice fish.

As for cheaper priced baits - I want a worm that flat catches fish when I throw it. I dont like the gulp line as it drys out etc.... just not for me. I think Zoom makes a good product for the cost, Robo Worms, netbait, D&M, Pro Worms, Mothers etc

There are many options out there, I dont buy my plastics based upon the scent being injected into the plastics I spray on some bang or wipe on some Mega Strike and I am good to go.....

[Jevans]

Try a few packs of Roboworm's rebarb hooks (I prefer the Daichi over the ultra thin Gammys). Does less damage to the worm on the hook set, and the barb allows you to keep fishing a pretty torn up worm.

Scent wise Hot Sauce works very well and one application can pretty much hold you over until the next fish.

[jazzwannabe]

Try a few packs of Roboworm's rebarb hooks (I prefer the Daichi over the ultra thin Gammys). Does less damage to the worm on the hook set, and the barb allows you to keep fishing a pretty torn up worm.

Scent wise Hot Sauce works very well and one application can pretty much hold you over until the next fish.

Here's a related dumb question — does it matter if I use a craw scent on a bait that supposed to represent a shad? And vice versa?

[set'em good]

Mend-it is your friend when it comes to plastics.. When I get home from fishing all the baits that end up in a pile in the front of my boat (hopefully from lots and lots of fish) get glued and reused. I have even been using mend-it on my spent Robo's that I use for dropshotting, they actually last longer after the mend-it.

As for best value use what you are confident in, no matter what the cost.

Set'Em Good

[Jevans]

Try a few packs of Roboworm's rebarb hooks (I prefer the Daichi over the ultra thin Gammys). Does less damage to the worm on the hook set, and the barb allows you to keep fishing a pretty torn up worm.

Scent wise Hot Sauce works very well and one application can pretty much hold you over until the next fish.

Here's a related dumb question — does it matter if I use a craw scent on a bait that supposed to represent a shad? And vice versa?

Not IME. I also use Unibutter, which is made from sea urchins. Bass love it.

[jazzwannabe]

Try a few packs of Roboworm's rebarb hooks (I prefer the Daichi over the ultra thin Gammys). Does less damage to the worm on the hook set, and the barb allows you to keep fishing a pretty torn up worm.

Scent wise Hot Sauce works very well and one application can pretty much hold you over until the next fish.

Here's a related dumb question — does it matter if I use a craw scent on a bait that supposed to represent a shad? And vice versa?

Not IME. I also use Unibutter, which is made from sea urchins. Bass love it.

Can I use a gel, put some in a baggie with worms, smush it up a bit and get the same results as with a liquid?