Who is the best manufacture of hard baits and why?

[captainhook813]

im looking to purchase some new hardbaits and want to know what the best is and why

[skeet210]

I think it's all a matter of personal preference but you will probably find most use either:

1. Lucky Craft
2. H2O Express
3. BPS XPS series

All three are pretty close to realistic as you can get without custom paint, the durability is unmatched, prices are reasonable on most, and the action is spot on. Not to mention that the availability of so many various types are unreal.

[shortcast]

I think the best bait is what the fish are hitting at your body of water. I like lucky craft and bandits. I have trouble with bandits cracking but I feel it is a trade off right now because the fish are eating them. A couple of years ago bandit went to china and were having quality problems that were eventually solved. But it looks like the problem has resurfaced.

[storeboy]

I personally like a number of baits whether you are talking about jerkbaits crankbaits or rattlebaits . Probably overall you could pick one manufacture and not have any problem catching fish at any depth spring summer or fall . But some baits made by certain companies out perform others in my opinion. Jerkbaits Lucky craft pointers are hard to beat , cranking spro,strikeking and DT's . You should here lots of opinions on this one .

[pacman5584]

Megabass the detail and paint and just everything about them are amazing.

[rodbender1]

Along with LC's, H2O's, & bandits, I put Koppers right up there, a very high quality bait. Very natural, works great in high pressured and clear water.

...FishFreakOnline/Koppers

Just a few examples.

[Heavy D]

I like rapala and diawa

[B.R.ONE]

I like Bill Normans, Strike King, Bandits, Bombers, Rapala's, I catch fish on them and they are not as expensive.

[restornator]

Rapala is easily the best. Not only the diversity of styles and colors, you will not find a more durable finish on the market. A lot of high scale brands out there emphasize on largemouth bass fishing, but take the best LC model and it will not catch 1/4 the species an original shad rap will.

[spinner man]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by restornator &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Rapala is easily the best. Not only the diversity of styles and colors, you will not find a more durable finish on the market. A lot of high scale brands out there emphasize on largemouth bass fishing, but take the best LC model and it will not catch 1/4 the species an original shad rap will.</td></tr></table>

That is a very true statement right there.

[Luke]

Rapala does have a heck of a finish on it and are tough as nails....but i will have to say if i was to pick one bait company to stick with for a full range of almost everything on hard baits it would have to be Lucky Craft for me

[Ridge Runner_20]

My faves would be:

Jerkbaits: LC (Pointers, Staysee 90), Rapala (X-Rap), older Smithwick Rogues, older Bomber Long "A"s

Shallow cranks: LC Fat BDS, Worden's Timber Tigers, Luhr Jensen Speed Traps

Deep cranks (10'+): Norman (DD22, DD14), Bomber Fat Free Shad (1/2oz, 3/4oz sizes), Rapala DT Series, older Bagley's DB3s, older Poe's 300, 400 series

Hope that helps.

RR_20

[PolarKraft195]

[barkleyhawggitter]

i would say lucky craft. because they have figured out how to get fishermen to pay 15 to 20 dollars for a crankbait and mass produce them. "BRILLIANT"!!!!!!!

[henry900bass]

Rapala dt's suck in cold weather's the thin plastic lips breaks when casting ....spro is my favorite hands down for me

[Mark Perry]

Can't belive no one has thrown in Jackall yet.

[Bronzebackpro7]

For just one brand its definitely rapala for me. I like knowing that when I tie the bait on its going to run true, and im a big fan of vmc hooks

[somerdink]

I like lucky craft hard baits. They run true for me out of the pack and have a good colour selection. The hooks are good quality right out of the back no changing them from at least but some peole do. Deepfreeman usually has a good selection of them to buy too on BBC

[Fntsyfbgod]

Jerkbaits-Megabass, LC, Xcalibur, Jackall

Crankbaits-LC, Rapala, Strike King, WEC

Topwater-LC, Megabass, and several good poppers Splash-it, Rico

Overall its hard to beat Lucky Craft you could get by on their baits alone

[JStew]

There isn't a "best" manufacturer of every style of hard bait - all brands have their winners & losers. I buy a dozen brands of hard bait but no more than a couple of styles from each. Where you fish and local styles of fishing have more to do with the answer than anything. Every region has somewhat different baitfish/forage - and that calls for different colors/profiles/actions. No one brand can cover that nationwide.