LC verse Rapala

[gbaade]

How about a friendly debate.Both sides chime in with what it is that make these things any better than a Rapala. 90% of the stuff I use is Rapala and I cannot for the life of me see how an LC is worth 20 bucks. Everyone tells me I am missing out but I dont see it. Is it stricty a confidence thing. 20 dollar lure gets you all geeked so you catch more fish? I have heard they run true but so does a Rapala. Hand painted is another one I hear but I dont see that justifying it either. Maybe this has been debated and if it has I am sorry. I brought it up because I was in BPS the other day and it got me thinking. Anyone that can justify the price please let me know so I can go get some!

[MBell]

Both companies make good baits, that is for sure.  I don't think anyone could say that one is better than the other, it's just a matter of personal preference.  I use both brands, they all have their place.  If I had to choose though, I would go with lucky craft.  The colors are unmatched for clear water fishing, they also cast a mile.  If you haven't tried lucky craft yet, the pointer minnows are a must have for jerk bait fishing.
-Matt 

[Revtro]

I have to agree with Matt.  They both make good jerkbaits, but for some reason I always catch more with Lucky Crafts than I do with Husky Jerks.  Don't really know why.  I have thrown them both a ton.  Maybe it has something to do with the shape of the LC's or maybe they run just a little deeper or suspend just a little more steady.  Not sure.  So $15 per bait does seem a little high, but I pay it now because they just seem to work.  I just went to BPS the other day and spent some of my gift cards from Christmas.  Got a handful of Pointer 100's. 

On a side note, the real debate for me is the difference between the BPS jerkbaits and Rapala's.  I have some of both and have not seen a difference between the two and the BPS stuff is even cheaper.  BPS is making some nice stuff these days.  Just wish they made more deep "ish" diving jerkbaits that hit the midrange like the Pointer 100's do.

[HellaBass]

I have done well with both, and have had better days with one over the other both ways.  For the $$$ the Rapala is probably a better deal, but the LC's are probably better day in and day out.  Cannot go wrong with either. 

[kgr624]

This has been a question in my mind for a while. On one hand I love Rapala and they have always been good but when I look at Lucky Crafts colors and design I can't help but think that would work. The only thing I have trouble with is buying 3 of these Lucky Crafts and dropping 60 bucks to just see some curious Northern pike come along and rip it from me. So for me I think I will stick to the Rapala unless lucky craft comes out with a buy 3 for 1 deal.

[MBell]

1 foot of 20lb+ mono leader will keep the pike from breaking you off.  It will kill the action some, but when the fish are going it will save you from retying.  If you don't break off, the lucky crafts will last much longer.  I've never had a lucky craft bait worn out by fish.  I've had days when your really on them that it will take two or three rapalas to get you through the day.  They are more than worth the $15, you know your getting a good bait every single time.
-Matt

[Hooksetter]

I have had success with both. On a few lakes I do better with the Husky Jerks. On most I do better with the Pointer. Overall I throw the Pointer about 75% of the time.

Also, the Lucky Crafts come rigged with premium hooks. I always change the factory hooks on the Husky Jerks to Gammys.

If I had to choose just one it would be Lucky Craft, hands down.

[MIBassKid]

I agree with Matt, the Husky Jerks aren't very durable. I throw husky jerks in the early spring and get some bigguns, but the northerns are also active and they frequently crack the body of the bait, then it's ruined. Last year i actually had a toothy critter break one a husky in half. On the other hand, i don't want to waste 15$ on a broken line.
-Kid

[CuradoKev]

Well, for me and a couple of my friends. Watching David Reault kick our behind on LSC/Erie with Luckycraft jerkbaits helped make my decision  Dave is the master of LC pointers 

But besides that, its real simple Luckycrafts throw awesome into the wind and other jerkbaits don't. Most of the time, if not all the time, you throw jerkbatis in windy conditions. Plus, you need distance on LSC/Erie and Luckycraft will do the job. Not any other bait...

Plus, Luckycrafts always run right rgiht out of the box and don't need tuning as much as other baits.

What you really want are some Megabass Ito 110's in Pro Blue and Perch 

Ckev

[McCarter]

If you have had first hand experience of getting your butt handed to you by the guy in the front of the boat who was using Lucky Crafts while you were picking up a fish here and a fish there on your all time favorite jerkbait ( rogue ), you would need little more convincing.

However, i understand some people not wanting to spend $15 for a lure.  But if you look at it as it has been pointed out to me in the past, you might reconsider.

I wouldnt even consider lucky crafts until a friend of mine boated 40 bass to my 10 or whatever.  Spending that kind of money on one lure seemed absord.  But someone made a good point to me on this very subject.  I will give it to you as closely to the word as i can remember.

'I think its funny when guys say they would never spend the money to buy Lucky Craft baits.  Sure, they will spend $40,000+ on a boat, $400 on rain gear, $300 on a rod or a reel, buy hooks that costs a buck each, pay extra for tungsten weights, but then they wont spend a couple extra bucks on the best lure made.  Makes absolutly no sense'

think about it like that and $15 doesnt seem that expensive i guess.  I fell in love with LCs the very first day i used them.  Jerkbait fishing is one of my favorite techniques, and i own just about every make out there ( except the imports ).  I have bomber, bagelys, ac shiners, rapalas, rogues, you name it.  I have never seen one perform the way a LC did.  They all have unique charactersitics all there own, but the Pointers will outperform all of them when it comes to casting, suspending, hooks, finish, realistic action.

I still like other jerkbaits for certain situations.  Rogues are tough to beat in the spring.  i will throw a husky jerk or a long A if the pike are really on.  And sometimes, the fish will really take to a long A better than a pointer, especially a few times on clair.  But for the most part, the Pointer is the top producer for me from mid summer to winter.

Think of it as a tool.  the more tools you have, the easier the job is.  I would suggest at least buying one and giving it a try.  Look around for deals.  You can find them on ebay.  Mikes RX baits always has some kind of deal going at the shows, as does Red Dragon tackle.  Look for 2 for $20 deals.

McCarter himself

[gbaade]

Nice reply Mccarter. Thats what I wanted to read. I have no problem spending 15 or 20 a pop. I just want it to actually be worth it. People get hung up on brand name fads, whether it be clothes, shoes, or whatever. Why buy a Polo T shirt for 40 bucks at Macy's when I can get a Hanes at Wal Mart for 3? For me to buy it there has to be a reason it cost so much more.

Thanks for the reply's!

[matt]

I have heard somebody say something about buying lucky craft lures without the hook is much cheaper(but for the love of God i can't find something like that).I only have 3 LC and love the action,but $15 for me is just too high.

[dartag]

i use the Strike King Wild Shiner suspending baits.  replace the rear hook with a red feathered hook.  in clear water in the spring you can watch them come up and eat it when it is sitting there.

[karol]

 hey guys, while we're talking jerkbaits, is 8 lb cxx line about right for jerks on a 7 ft m-h spinning rod?  should i go heavier to braided instead for the same line diameter? thanks guys..karol

[BigSmallie]

I see everyone has used Rapala's Husky Jerk....and compair it to the LC 100......but I've heard nothing about the Rapala "X-Rap".....anyone else try these??

The X-Rap has EARNED a spot in my box! 

[MBell]

If you don't want to spend $15 and still want a good jerkbait, chekout the link.  They are in no way a replacement to the pointer, but have their own unique action.  I used them last year, they are a good bait that you can really work with that big thick lip.  They have some sweet new colors this year, but they are out of stock until next week.  I was down there today and the colors look better in person.  The major drawback is they won't cast as far as a lucky craft without adding weight.  Wild shiners are a good bait, but the size they make it in is usually too big for me.  With all these wins VanDam gets on the jerkbait I don't recall ever seeing the wild shiner in action, only the old school rouges.  Long A is also sweet jerkbait, great in shallow water.  I've never been able to find cheap luckycrafts other than the show sales mentioned.  I've ordered cartons of 6 per color and paid full price.  nothernbass.com gives you buy 7 get 8th free but it works out to just getting free shipping, so I just buy local.  

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/crankbait-bodies/341521.aspx

-Matt    

[matt]

I see everyone has used Rapala's Husky Jerk....and compair it to the LC 100......but I've heard nothing about the Rapala "X-Rap".....anyone else try these??

The X-Rap has EARNED a spot in my box! 

yeah i use it,still haven't caught anything on it "yet".I have high hopes for the lure this summer though.I fish alot of spinnerbaits and really missed out really working anything i have.

Thanks MBell for that link...those lures look pretty good,might have to order one or two and try them out.

[gbaade]

X Rap is pretty much the only one I use. Actually X Rap verse Pointer was my original thread topic.They are top notch as far as I am concerned and something would have to blow me away on a regular basis to justify that triple price difference. I have a couple Long A's but the XRap is the go to. Maybe I will get some LC cranks and stick to old reliable for the jerks!

[McCarter]

found these on ebay.  a far cry from an actual pointer, but might be worth a look.

http://stores.ebay.com/CR-CUSTOM-TACKLE_CR-JERKBAITS-100_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ7573234QQftidZ2QQtZkm

McCarter himself

[Cheetam]

found these on ebay.  a far cry from an actual pointer, but might be worth a look.

http://stores.ebay.com/CR-CUSTOM-TACKLE_CR-JERKBAITS-100_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ7573234QQftidZ2QQtZkm

McCarter himself

I'm pretty sure that is the same bait Matt pointed out from Jan's...They're cheaper from Jan's though...