I typically fish LC and Bomber CBs but I decided to explore a bit yesterday with other CB.  So, I went and purchased a Norman, deep baby N in a crawdad color.  That thing was a horror of a crankbait.  

There was some water current and for a bit, I thought it was the water current that was making it run crooked. I threw in my bombers and LC and they were running fine and true.

I went back to the Norman and if crankbaits can get the mad cow disease, this little guy had it.  So, I tuned it, like how you guys are always discussing on here.  I tell you guys what, I tuned that thing left and right and back in the middle again.  It was swimming like it had a mind of it's own.  Left and right and sideways and splashing the surface.

I went back to the local wal-mart and exchanged him out.  Same thing. No kidding.

I'm sticking with my LC and bombers, even if that means having less CBs in my tackle box.  The ones I have run true.

How about your experiences with Norman or other of the less expensive CB, such as bandits, strike king, etc.?

Cheers.

I personally don't like Norman baits for this very reason. I highly recommend Bandit baits because they are tuned right out of the box. Strike Kings are great baits to but they tend to split on the top of the back.

Weird, I buy Normans DD22 and Deep Little N all the time.

Never had a problem with it. Caught my personal best and nearly won few tournaments with Normans.

I was hoping my experience was unique but I see now it wasn't. The exact same thing happened with the first Norman I ever bought, on the recommendation of a friend. It didn't run true out of the box and I was very disappointed with that.

To make things worse, I was not able to "correct" it and I had thrown away the receipt.  Arrrgh! I will not buy another one.

Sorry Norman! You'll not take another penny from me!

Bottom line there fellas is you get what you pay for.  That's why the better baits cost more money.   Norman cranks tend to be the worst for having line ties off the center line but bandits have the same problem just not as often.  To sell baits that cheap and still make money there has to be short cuts somewhere in the process.

I've owned quite a few Normans. Caught plenty of fish on them.  You occasionally have to tune one out of the box but big deal.  If you know what you're doing that takes all of 1 minute.  

Bottom line there fellas is you get what you pay for. That's why the better baits cost more money. Norman cranks tend to be the worst for having line ties off the center line but bandits have the same problem just not as often. To sell baits that cheap and still make money there has to be short cuts somewhere in the process.

x2.

I've owned quite a few Normans. Caught plenty of fish on them. You occasionally have to tune one out of the box but big deal. If you know what you're doing that takes all of 1 minute.

Yup there is more to just using pliers on the line tie shaving the lip can make a big diff also and it dont take much.LC,s might have more QC but losing a $20 lure would P&%S me off more then tuning and losing a 3 dollar one anyday

I've owned quite a few Normans. Caught plenty of fish on them.  You occasionally have to tune one out of the box but big deal.  If you know what you're doing that takes all of 1 minute.  

Yup there is more to just using pliers on the line tie shaving the lip can make a big diff also and it dont take much.LC,s might have more QC but losing a $20 lure would P&%S me off more then tuning and losing a 3 dollar one anyday

In some of the places I throw crankbaits, that $20 bait would be reduced to a beat up shambles in no time.  

There's  a little bit of Art to tuning crankbaits.

Also Normans have 2 grades of CB the cheapies have cheap finnishes cheap hooks.

Also if you see thier popper do not every buy this bait.............. e mail me I will take care of the problem.

Garnet

Well, how about sharing some of that art of tuning a CB with me, Garnet or any of you guys. I have the Rapala split ring pliers and there is a section of the plier to help tune CB. I tried using that after I tried tuning it by hand and it didn't work.

Thanks.

Well the secret is a little bit. Bend the eye just a little. If your bait is running left just a little bend left and test and then a little more and test.

A great CB doesn't run perfectly strait but will run a little left then correct and run a little right and correct they look figidity. When you get a crank like this protect it.

Garnet

I've owned quite a few Normans. Caught plenty of fish on them. You occasionally have to tune one out of the box but big deal. If you know what you're doing that takes all of 1 minute.

Yup there is more to just using pliers on the line tie shaving the lip can make a big diff also and it dont take much.LC,s might have more QC but losing a $20 lure would P&%S me off more then tuning and losing a 3 dollar one anyday

Totaly agree !

I had days when I lost 4-5 lures to toothy critters called Pike. Thanks God my most expensive lures are the Rapalas, otherways I'd go bankrupt.

Don't get me wrong. I don't use the ultra cheap Normans, I prefer the Professional edge baits.  IMO, the zinc coated hooks on the cheaper Normans are junk and you can't really ever get them sharp. By the time I stick some premium hooks on the lure I'd be better off just buying the more expensive model that already has them on it.

If the original poster is referring to those cheaper Normans he may be right. I haven't used them since the Pro Edge series came out so QC on those things may not be up to snuff all the time.