I have heard some discussion that hand poured baits are better.  Is this the case and if so why are they.  Has anyone used them much and if so how do they compare in quality and durability.  

thanks

It depends on many factors and many handpoured baits are not worth the cost.

It comes down to what you can accept as adequate quality and what you want in a soft plastic.

Soft sticks are easy to make, but few have the action of a Senko. Reason? Too little salt and softener.

Even Stik-Os are poor copies and they are produced by the millions!

Some handpours lake crisp detail, which may be important for the visual affect and have flashing (overpour) that hasn't been trimmed. Additives are a confidence thing and don't make a lure superior.

Senkos have no scent and are the best sticks out there.

Colors might not always be consistent (even in manufactured baits) and the color you reorder might not even come close to the bag that produced a monster stringer. Again, a confidence thing.

This is not to say that a copied bait can't be just as good as an original. Sweet Beavers are simple to copy and copies work quite well; chunk trailers and craws, the same thing.

Anyone who includes phrases such as "secret of the pros" or "secret ingredients", is blowing smoke up your tail pipe. It will always come down to consistancy, pour quality and plastic factors that make a bait as good as similar baits.

Few are better in my experience - the fishermen makes them better. Heck, he could throw pasta on a hook and catch bass.  ;D