So not sure what's going here. I haven't purchased anything from LC for like 7-9y because other brands like Jackall and Megabass offer pretty much the same stuff, but in many cases better. I always liked LC so decided to grab 4 pointer SP's and a sammy 105 because they were 50% off. Within two smallies and a 100g walleye, the paint on the sides is shreaded. I thought it was hook rash, but it was kinda extreme for a brand new lure. I put another pointer, and within 4-5 smallies, the lure is also full of chipped paint on the sides, and deep scratches. Put another pointer, and the same thing happened. What the hell is going on, is this just me, or this is their standard nowadays? I have some OG luckycraft squarebills from the early 2000s, and their paint is like a tank. Literally cought hundreds of fish on one of the babybass colors, and there's barely anything that has chipped, while these newer lures flake and scratches significantly faster than any other brands, including cheapo aliexpress lures. I swear $5 spary cans from Walmart would last longer🥱

Really? I used to love lucky craft pointers and other baits and thought the paint was great. It’s been several years since I’ve purchased one though, so maybe things have changed.

23 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Really? I used to love lucky craft pointers and other baits and thought the paint was great. It’s been several years since I’ve purchased one though, so maybe things have changed.

Only have had the experience with Pointer SP and Sammy 105. Both have the weakest paint imaginable. After having bought them, i saw Made in Japan on the package, and was surprised that they're still made there, but they've certainly skipped on the paint quality.

I've never had an issue with LC quality. If you think the paint is substandard my suggestion would be to send a pic or 3 to Lucky craft.

I have several LC lures and I have only had issues with the Lightning series. I think the one I was using was a Pointer in a chrome color but this was years ago. One day of catching sauger and it was toast. Other than that, they have been fine. Here lately,  I've been using a Pointer 78SP in Sexy Chartreuse Shad. Its taken a beating and looks just fine.

I've noticed this with their matte NC colors. My NC shell white pointer 100 started flaking big chunks of paint after just a tiny bit of hook rash. All my other LC baits are holding up fine.

Matte color NC shell white, this bait hasn't been heavily used and it's flaking paint from hook rash.

 

MS gunmetal shad, this lure has seen a LOT of action and fish, hook rash barely through the clear coat. This is typical of my LC baits.

 

If I had to guess, certain colors don't have a CC, or use a much thinner/different coat and don't hold up well.

4 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

I've never had an issue with LC quality. If you think the paint is substandard my suggestion would be to send a pic or 3 to Lucky craft.

Will they send a replacement or something?

1 minute ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Will they send a replacement or something?

They might. I had a couple of 6xd's that leaked. Just for grins I sent SK a email and they sent me 4 new ones. 

4 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Will they send a replacement or something?

Dunno until ya try.
FM

This is just from a couple of fish

Went on their site, and i am not even seeing a contact button🤢
https://www.luckycraft.com/luckycrafthome/

Even though the paint coming off these baits is not ideal, I'm willing to bet they will still catch fish.

 

Personally,  I would expect better from Lucky Craft.  Maybe after the town they are located in was leveled by an earthquake, some processes had to be changed in order to continue production.  

 

The ones below caught well over 100 fish each and I finally decided to retire them but the finish on both started to come off after the first fish. The bass didn't seem to care.

 

 

32 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Even though the paint coming off these baits is not ideal, I'm willing to bet they will still catch fish.

 

Personally,  I would expect better from Lucky Craft.  Maybe after the town they are located in was leveled by an earthquake, some processes had to be changed in order to continue production.  

 

The ones below caught well over 100 fish each and I finally decided to retire them but the finish on both started to come off after the first fish. The bass didn't seem to care.

 

 

My problem is not that its coming off, but how severe it is from literally under 5 fish. That is not something i've ever seen. Your two baits have probably cought 100+ fish to be in that state. I too have multiple baits that look rough, but that's because i have em for years, and cought hundreds or even thousands of fish over the years.

 

Thought I  would try an experiment.  Only new in the box one I had. 2 days, 8 fish and no scratches.

 

Before and after. 

 

 

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

Thought I  would try an experiment.  Only new in the box one I had. 2 days, 8 fish and no scratches.

 

Before and after. 

 

 

Those magic scale colors are 💣

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

Thought I  would try an experiment.  Only new in the box one I had. 2 days, 8 fish and no scratches.

 

Before and after. 

 

 

There isn't much paint around the hooks section, it's translucent from what i am seeing. Do you have a standard color one with their glossy paint finish? This is the one that has the most severe chipping from the 4 Pointers i have.

On 6/17/2025 at 2:41 PM, ABU is overpriced said:

So not sure what's going here. I haven't purchased anything from LC for like 7-9y because other brands like Jackall and Megabass offer pretty much the same stuff, but in many cases better. I always liked LC so decided to grab 4 pointer SP's and a sammy 105 because they were 50% off. Within two smallies and a 100g walleye, the paint on the sides is shreaded. I thought it was hook rash, but it was kinda extreme for a brand new lure. I put another pointer, and within 4-5 smallies, the lure is also full of chipped paint on the sides, and deep scratches. Put another pointer, and the same thing happened. What the hell is going on, is this just me, or this is their standard nowadays? I have some OG luckycraft squarebills from the early 2000s, and their paint is like a tank. Literally cought hundreds of fish on one of the babybass colors, and there's barely anything that has chipped, while these newer lures flake and scratches significantly faster than any other brands, including cheapo aliexpress lures. I swear $5 spary cans from Walmart would last longer🥱

 

I haven't seen any evidence that it matters to the bass. 🤷‍♂️ YMMV

53 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

 

I haven't seen any evidence that it matters to the bass. 🤷‍♂️ YMMV

Well that depends. If the state of my Pointers is like that in a couple of fish, what are we expecting it to be after 200 fish?

18 hours ago, KP Duty said:

Those magic scale colors are 💣

Yep. I love those colors.

9 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Well that depends. If the state of my Pointers is like that in a couple of fish, what are we expecting it to be after 200 fish?

 

A terrific lure well worth its price?

11 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

 

A terrific lure well worth its price?

With no paint left whatsoever. They should just sell unpainted ones for $5 then.

And it's not like the lure is bad. It's great, but we're also talking about a $20 lure, not a $3 one from basspro.

11 minutes ago, ABU is overpriced said:

With no paint left whatsoever. They should just sell unpainted ones for $5 then.

And it's not like the lure is bad. It's great, but we're also talking about a $20 lure, not a $3 one from basspro.

 

I have hardbaits with huge chunks of paint missing that still flat out get bit. If it works, why does it matter if it's pretty.

 

I'm out there to catch fish, maybe we have different goals.

28 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

 

I have hardbaits with huge chunks of paint missing that still flat out get bit. If it works, why does it matter if it's pretty.

 

I'm out there to catch fish, maybe we have different goals.

Just a matter of principle. We pay much higher prices because the baits looks nice.

7 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

Just a matter of principle. We pay much higher prices because the baits looks nice.

Have you contacted LC yet ?  Personally I'd fish them and not stress. If you can get a bait to catch 200 fish my hat's off to you.  

The only thing in my boat that's seen 200 fish is a landing net.