These lures look amazing on the shelf. Just curious as to what your thoughts are on them? Anyone had much success with them over any other hard baits? The baby bluegill caught my eye because it looks VERY real.

I have a little cash to spend on tackle, deciding whether I should drop the 12-15/per on some Live Target lures, or get some regular stuff like KVD cranks for half the price.....or get myself a mid-range ($100) back-up combo.

The Koppers look great, but I think that the lure you are using is often flying by the bass, or they hit it from the bottom, so the extra detail they put in the coloring and design just doesn't make that much of a difference, except in your wallet.

I guess it depends on how much you think the color pattern counts in the attraction equation that includes bait depth, size, action, and color pattern. In my fishing experience, the other characteristics count for more than the color pattern. If I fished northern waters for smallmouth more, maybe it would be higher on the list - but I doubt it. I have a few Koppers baits and haven't had them out-perform my Rapalas, Bombers, customs, etc.

Well i guess the main reason I am asking is this. I have about 30-50 to spend on lures. Not sure if I should get an assortment of typical 3.99-4.99 cranks in assorted colors (which would get me a decent amount), 3-4 Live Target lures, 10-15 new jigs, a few bags of plastics....or an assortment of all combined.

Originally I was thinking, okay...im gonna spend it all on 4-5 Live Targets, but then i was thinking wow I could get double the amount of KVD, Bomber, etc lures for the same price.

Decisions, decisions. It wouldnt be hard if I had this opportunity often, but it is rare that I get some extra cash to put toward fishing.

not trying to steer you away from the live target baits, i love them in the spring, but id buy the bandit 100 and 200 series cranks and some sharp hooks.

Go for the larger assortment of Strike King, Rapala, Excaliber hardbaits AND some jigs and plastics.

i think i own most of their lures.(i can get them for real cheap) can't say they work better or worse but they look really awesome and it makes you feel better when you catch on them.

my most productive are the blueback herring swimbait and the smelt.

Go for the larger assortment of Strike King, Rapala, Excaliber hardbaits AND some jigs and plastics.

I am liking the sound of this. Actually, I got a bit of info from the local Dick's manager...Sale on select fishing lures starts tomorrow, and the clearance lures are 75% off clearance price.

brb clearing the shelves

I have the blue back herring topwater plug and it has been very productive for me and seems to attract larger fish, but if I were in your shoes I would buy the cheaper lures.

Nice paint jobs, pretty package, good components. Do they catch fish any better than Strike Kings or Bandits for the extra $$? Not IMHO.

I, also would go with an assortment of everything

Some cheaper cranks (Strike King, Bandit etc), Plastics and Jigs

I use to be a guy who bought bombers, bandits, and strike king cranks until I bought my first Lucky Craft this spring. I now have about 15 LC baits and they absolutly catch fish. The components are better (rings, hooks) and they just seem to find fish for me. Of course this is just my opinion, but I would get rid of my 100 bandits, bombers, and strike kings for 25 Lucky Crafts any day of the week. Go buy a LC GDS MINI Ghost Minnow and see if you dont fall in love!

If you do buy cheaper though, I prefer the Bomber cranks over the rest.

I invested in two each of four colors in every size of the crawfish cranks. Half suffered some manufacturing issues, basically the bodies collapsed and got deformed. Those were replaced by them at no charge. I've caught a few fish on the remaining baits. They have a very nice reassuring "thump," and track OK, as long you don't go too fast. The shallow runners with the square bill really deflect well off wood. Overall, nice baits, but I think they are a little over priced. There other baits out there in the $7-8 range that are just as good.

About the realism aspect; this thread was a nice read, especially Matt's posts.

My friend gave me one, caught a small bass on the silver shiner yesterday. I also caught a few on a cordell, white and green I bought for 2 bucks....that tells me no need to spend an arm and a leg on these lures