I fish a lake with a lot of sunken timber so I get hung up a bit . Wondering if anyone uses a lure retriever. If so, does it work well? What brand? I just ordered an H2O brand. Has anyone used that brand retriever before? Thanks!

That one should work all right . I use the Lews David Fritts model and get about 95 per cent of my baits back . Sometimes it takes some work .

I agree with @scaleface, that plug knocker seems fine for most things and will be really simple to use/keep with you.  That one even comes with 30' of line.  

I use a different one with some chains on the end for Alabama rigs.  It might be slightly better for really hung lures, but I think it runs $40.  Either way, let someone show you how to use one or watch a video on the subject.  I thought it was intuitive enough, and ended up getting my first knocker stuck beside the lure the first time I tried it.  

50 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I agree with @scaleface, that plug knocker seems fine for most things and will be really simple to use/keep with you.  That one even comes with 30' of line.  

I use a different one with some chains on the end for Alabama rigs.  It might be slightly better for really hung lures, but I think it runs $40.  Either way, let someone show you how to use one or watch a video on the subject.  I thought it was intuitive enough, and ended up getting my first knocker stuck beside the lure the first time I tried it.  

 

I did the same thing. I had a "plug knocker" years ago. As far as I know, it is still stuck in a brush pile next to a Excalibur fat free shad where I left it the second time I used it.

Should work for you. Worth having in the boat. Mine is a BPS that I think it was called a “hound”. Knocker w/ some chain to it. Hope you don’t get hung up, hope it works out. 

The few times I've used one ended up being used as additional weight being added to whatever my lure was snagged on.........

I have a Fritts style and BPS hound dog in my boat. Both with 30' of heavy twine. Use both , and for their cost, they have saved me $$$$$$$$$$$ in lost plugs. The Fritts style is my first choice for getting lures back. Heavier than the BPS model, a true knocker. Either would be good choices.

My back up is an old golf ball retreiver.  Works in brush, or where you can't get close enough with your boat.

I have a plug knocker style retriever.  It has been 100% successful in getting baits back.  It's paid for itself many times over.

 

Bill Dance has saved a lot of lures for me! This one has the dog leach style reel which is easier to deal with.

 

Allen

That's the EXACT one I use ?

They dont work if fishing from shore . You have to be above the lure and snag .

If you are by the shore, you only need to use 18' expandable lure retriever, I got mine from TW or bass pro I think, but that the one you need.

I use the Frabill 15' lure retriever. That $40 item has probably saved me a few hundred dollars and I have only had it a few months.

yes thats the way to go

I've had better luck using the telescopic retriever.  When I use a knocker it usually gets hung up. Plus with a telescopic retiever you can reach up into trees.

Ive found it best to have both. The knockers work when the poles arent long enough. And yet the pole works at other times. Come in handy with tree work, fetching lost lures.

I have both.  The pole always gets used first if I can reach the bait. 

I had  a knocker hit the side of my fiberglass boat, at warp speed, one day. When i was trying to free a jerkbait from a shallow brushpile.

I still can't believe it did not put a hole in my boat. after that I only use the knocker in deep water.

I have a telescopic that extends to like 26' or something like that.  Then I have the Daiwa lure retriever and the Jewel Hound Dog. One of them almost always gets my bait back. 

The BPS knocker has worked for me and it has payed for itself more than once. 

Thanks for all the input! I guess the consensus is they work in more situations than not. 

Im going to have to watch some videos of these. Ive thought about one a long while ago but having an Alabama rig now if it gets snagged I want it back!! Same with Jackhammers! Worth the price saving either twice.

I been walleye nite fishing for over 60yrs..from shore lost a few lures.my brother let me use his "ugly alabama lure retriever." Works perfectly with my 6lb test ..can't begin to say how much money it saved me..I stake my word on it..hard to find one that's lite enough to work from shore..