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This is why Japanese lures are expensive

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That was pretty cool!

I was surprised recently when I received a megabass destroyer with a MADE IN CHINA sticker on it..

10 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Saw this on youtube, and They do seem to put a lot of effort. Now, companies that design their stuff in Japan, but make em in Vietnam like Megabass does, i don't think they should be charging as much money as they do for that reason alone, but the likes of DUO, still making their stuff in Japan, their price is worth it.

Megabass will lower their prices immediately.  How many baits does Duo send to market per year vs Megabass ?  Apples to Oranges.

 

Kool vid, all woman doing assy, hope they get paid well. The assy job i would not want to do is the ring and hook attachment.

  • Super User

If one really hates capitalism, then a move to Russia, China, Viet Nam, Iran. . . . 

 

The message is clear. 

Irene is headed this way at a dead run.....

  • Super User

How about Japanese wood lures?  

9k4W1w0.jpg s8EO09y.jpg

  • Super User

 

On 5/11/2024 at 6:53 PM, ABU is overpriced said:

Saw this on youtube, and They do seem to put a lot of effort. Now, companies that design their stuff in Japan, but make em in Vietnam like Megabass does, i don't think they should be charging as much money as they do for that reason alone, but the likes of DUO, still making their stuff in Japan, their price is worth it.

 

From what I remember of Megabass rods, the Levantes (a bargain at $200 but can be had for around $150) were made in Vietnam but almost all others have been made in China for about 20 years now.  There hard baits I thought were still made in Hamamatsu Japan, at least that's what the package still says. There soft plastic stuff has been made all over the place but mainly China as of late. 

 

Duo is a powerhouse in Japan. They manufacture their own baits but they also produce or engineer all kinds of lures for pretty much every Japanese brand. Companies also out source testing to them as well. 

 

As far as pricing goes, the first JDM bait I bought in the US was a Lucky Craft crank bait. It was $15. The second I bought was a Megabass Vision 110. It was $25. I purchased these lures sometime between 2004-2006. The prices for these lures have not changed here in the US since.  What has changed is our ability here in the States to purchase baits from Japanese websites with an awesome exchange rate. This availability has changed the US market and fishing in general. If anything, US companies have copied the baits we are getting from Japan without repercussions and profiting by the time and money Japanese companies use to develop the bait designs they are stealing.  That said, the prices are high because JDM manufactures are chasing perfection, which is overkill to us here, because bass fishing in Japan is so highly pressured and it is much more difficult.  Most lakes and ponds there require/practice catch and kill of bass so everything there is under a microscope to be the best it can be. 

 

  • Super User

I think that the detailed design work on balance and action are not easily copied.  Yes, the exterior is a piece of cake to copy, but I don't think that is as important as what has been done inside. I could be wrong, not being a bait designer or builder, but that is my opinion.

  • Super User

Duo is not charging enough for their baits after watching that video. 

  • Super User

Duos awful hard to beat.  They're high quality, excellent hardware and very consistent, makes it tough to even consider a Rapala when for literally a couple more $ you can get a Duo.

I didn't see anything different in that video than some of the China lure manufacturers.  As with everything coming out of China there are factories that produce quality and there are factories that do not. Do not overthink the development of a fishing lure. 

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