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Posts: 578
Location: Germantown, WI | i was at the milwaukee musky show and met the two guys in the both from indiana and they were great to talk to. i was impressed because all they really wanted to do was get their baits in the hands of fisherman at some really good prices. they expect their baits to perform and by results & word of mouth, will thus increase future sales. was the only booth i've seen in last several years taking this approach where the consumer could get a bargain. Thanks reaction strike!!! . i'm curious who has used their home wrecker and what you think about it or about any of the lures in their lineup. Thanks-Dward | |
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| Does anyone recall when they will be sending out their Shad Clone baits? I pre-ordered one at chicago and totaly forgot when they said they would be getting shipped out. | |
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Posts: 1188
Location: Iowa | For my money, reaction strike lures are not worth it...they are pretty much copies of some already incredible lures...the home wrecker is essentially a weagle but for your money...trust me...a weagle with do way more for you now and in the long run than a home wrecker...as follows...its your decision what baits you want but for my money I wouldn't buy them...
Home Wresker = Weagle
Quiver Critter = Crane/Big Game Twitchbait
Jaw Breaker = Kry-Bay-Bee by AHL
The Fred = Sledge
Glider G+ = Slammer Drop Belly Glider
The Weed Ripper = 18cm Rapala
Side Winder = Slammer Thunderhead
Da' Glide = Magic Maker
Jointed Sow = JP-6
Old Timer = Leo Hawg Crank
Harasser = Castiac Swimbait
Shimmy Shad = Optimum Swimbait
Fat Head = Smaller Optimum Swimbait
Big Perc
Edited by Big Perc 2/13/2007 2:08 PM
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| was anyone else there saturday when they threw the Shad Clone bait in the tank? he tried 2 different ones and it ran [poorly]...it was honestly the worst looking bait I have seen in the tank...I had high hopes that bait would be a good one but no way would i buy it after seeing it run...he kept saying it was out of tune or bent or something...just my observation...
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Posts: 619
Location: Verona, WI | The lures looked fine to me (copies like Perc said) but was pretty surprised at their aggressive sales approach. I was window shopping at the show on Friday looking for a rod. All of a sudden one of the guys at the booth comes out in front of me and says "you've been by this booth three times and haven't bought anything yet - you need to get in here and buy something." I politely listened, looked at the baits, and left and never came back.
Shane | |
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| i saw the tank test as well, not too impressive. it was explained as erratic action,, but it looked like rolling over action to me. | |
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| my observations on the Shad Clone were similar, it seemed to roll a lot as it was worked.
maybe it was out of tune as he claimed, maybe it's in need of some design tweaking. considering this was the same as the reports people gave who saw it in Chicago, it makes me think it's more than just one out-of-tune lure, and more likely a design issue across all the baits.
i heard many people express high hopes that weren't realized when they saw it in the pool.
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I bought a shad clone at the show and the guy from the company made sure to show me that there are a few things that can get the bait out of tune and how to fix them. We'll see how it works this spring.
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| Did you recieve your bait yet? | |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I got mine at the Milwaukee show...so hopefully everyone that ordered one at Chicago should get them soon. | |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Threads like this are exactly what manufacturers love or fear about the internet. Those who put out consistantly quality baits get glowing reviews and those who don't are soon exposed. Personally I've not had a chance to see the baits mentioned but I have had my own dissapointments over the years with baits that were supposedly "spectacular in the water" and came in like a stick.
Many times I'll email links to threads like this one to my own sponsors so they get an insight into real fishermen talking about their products whether they are good or bad. It also gives the manufacturers a chance to improve upon their products and potentially win back those customers who had a bad experience. | |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Snax, exactly. If the conversation is free of abuse and bashing what can happen is the builder knows there's work to be done, and can advise those who have problem lures as to what to do. | |
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| Hello all,
First, everyone who purchased a shad clone at the Chicago show will receive it within the next couple days as they all shipped either on 2-14 or 2-15, just exactly as promised.
Second, anyone not 100% satisfied with the Shad Clone can return it for a 100% no questions asked refund, as is the case with all our lures, rods and other equipment.
We manufactured well over 250,000 lures last year, the vast majority for the musky industry. We had less than 50 lures returned to us, so I think that pretty much speaks for the quality of our products. But the offer stands as always so if you are not perfectly satisfied with anything we sell, by all means return it.
Regarding the shad clone tank demo, I did the tank demo 4 times. After each demo many people came by to purchase the lure, so I can only assume many people liked the action or else I have no idea why they would watch the demo, dislike the lure action, and then buy the lure? We left the show completely sold out of pearl and gizzard shad and we brought twice as many as we thought we could possibly sell.
In any event, no sense getting into an argument on the message boards. It has proven over and over again that facts don't matter much on internet chat boards.
Rick | |
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| In any event, no sense getting into an argument on the message boards. It has proven over and over again that facts don't matter much on internet chat boards.
Rick
But what the hey, if you can come on and try to sell a few lures, then you'll come in and talk about your lures. No issues with you defending how they work or dont work, but to come on and brag about the 250K lures you sold....but then turn around and rip internet chat boards.....CLASSY! | |
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | You were doing really well right up to your last statement. If you feel that any of the posts here are offensive and you don't want your lures mentioned on FIRST, we can easily delete any mention of your baits in the future.
OR, you can listen to the constructive criticism, address any issues, and promote your lures. Up to you! | |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Yikes, talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
Forums such as this are the reason I have a job and you'd better believe that I pay VERY close attention to what is said about not only my own products but to any and all others also. We can learn from someone elses mistakes as well as our own.
There will always be a few boneheads that will post anonymously and slag a product without merit but those posts are soon removed. The good folks that log in and have open intelligent discussions about what they don't like are the customers that didn't buy your products at the show and are the ones who you should be trying hard to win over.
Just my humble and somewhat educated opinion.
Edited by Musky Snax 2/17/2007 6:20 AM
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | The internet (and this is the biggest muskie website) can make or break a product. I saw it at the shows this winter...just look at the rumbler. They were nowhere to be seen Sunday at the Milwaukee show...there is a large percentage of the muskie world reading this website. | |
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Posts: 556
| Musky Snax - 2/14/2007 9:11 PM
Threads like this are exactly what manufacturers love or fear about the internet. Those who put out consistantly quality baits get glowing reviews and those who don't are soon exposed. Personally I've not had a chance to see the baits mentioned but I have had my own dissapointments over the years with baits that were supposedly "spectacular in the water" and came in like a stick.
Many times I'll email links to threads like this one to my own sponsors so they get an insight into real fishermen talking about their products whether they are good or bad. It also gives the manufacturers a chance to improve upon their products and potentially win back those customers who had a bad experience. an some baits that are sticks(suicks) but are awsome | |
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| Come on guys, why the negativity? Again, why would someone watch the 4 tank demos of the Shad Clone, hate the action and then run to our booth to buy it? If you saw the demo and did not like the action, then, ok, hopefully you did not buy the lure, but even if you did you can always return it for a no questions asked refund.
We make a lot of lures, and very, very rarely do we get complaints that lures don't work well. We also very rarely get complaints that lures don't hold up well. That is a factual statement..., not an opinion. On the very rare occasion when someone is unhappy with our lures, we give a no questions asked full refund.
It is hard to rationally discuss opinions, especially when the facts clearly refute the opinion.
There are many examples of opinion, rather than fact. An example of this is the lure we make called the Fred. Someone above said it is a knockoff of another lure. How could they know this?
Here are the facts: The Fred, was named after Fred McClintock who is on our Pro Staff. His face is plastered front and center on our websites. Fred is an older gentleman that has been fishing longer than the age of pretty much anyone young enough to use the internet. Fred, unlike anybody on this thread is a member of the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. He is listed as one of the top 100 fishermen IN THE HISTORY OF FISHING. Fred loved our Shimmy Shad's so much he filmed a show with Doug Stange of In-Fishermen. So, after the show, Fred gave us a wooden bait that he had hand whittled. He told us that it was one of 3 left. He used to make these baits for his friends and guiding clients back in 1972 and told us he made about 1,000 or so of them. In fact, the EXACT lure we make called the Fred is an EXACT copy of the 1972 Fred McClintock hand carved lure that he was kind enough to give us. So, now someone who has no idea of the history of this lure says it is a knockoff of someone else's lure. See, that is just that person's opinion but has no basis in fact at all. In actuality, I am pretty certain 1972 pre-dates any lure of it's kind that is currently offered for sale. I could be wrong about this, and really do not know when the very first Sledge was made. However, I do know that Fred's old bait is a bonafide original. The Fred is about as true an original lure as anything I can think of.
I could write similar histories for pretty much every one of our lures, but there is not enough time in the day to spend on these boards.
Again, this is a pointless discussion. People will have their opinions and that is perfectly fine. It would be nice, however, if people would state their opinion and not talk as if they are speaking facts.
No hard feelings on this end. Hope everyone has a great upcoming season, although with all the snow and ice it is hard to even envision fishing.
Rick
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Posts: 136
| The facts I have are, I bought two homewreckers last year and each is completely different bait. There is almost an ounce difference in the two baits, and this isn't the only time I've seen or heard of this from Reaction Strike baits. There needs to be more consistency in the baits. | |
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Posts: 1270
| Come on guys, most all musky baits out there are copies of other baits already made. The Weagle is a copy of the Jackpot. Yes I know they are a little different but they are basically the same. Same for the Mania Doc and countless other top water baits. Aren't all crankbaits a copy of a Rapala in one way or another? How about top water prop baits? I have no idea which one is the original but they are all pretty much the same when it comes to use. | |
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Posts: 578
Location: Germantown, WI | wow, i started this thread last week and forgot about it, just wanted to know what people thought of the home wrecker as a lure?? i'm looking forward to throwing it next year!! i also agree w/ the last post however, all baits are a copy of something else for the most part. size, weight, materials change but the concepts are all the same. look at the soft plastics- there must be 20 baits similar to a bulldog now and they all have their time/place. it just boils down to angler preference and confidence in one similar style lure over another.
Edited by dward 2/17/2007 8:06 PM
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| i'm sure that Reaction Strike sells a lot of lures...imho, it's the result of consumer demand for inexpensive baits. they also supply some other big name companies with baits to be sold under the other companies label. read the other thread about "Why Aren't You Buying" to get a taste of what i'm talking about. selling baits that look just like other baits but for a lower price? "brilliant!" ask yourself, how do they do it?
i've used and handled a number of lures from that company, and my personal experience was that the quality was not as good as other very similar baits. for example, the lead weights were off-center in a soft plastic swimbait. i wasn't about to pay $3 to mail a $5 bait in for refund...
you can't have it both ways, you're going to pay more for higher quality. Reaction Strike will continue to do well by selling their lures to a consumer base who demands lower prices, and frankly i wish them the best of luck and success doing it. THIS is the logical end result of the "baits are too expensive" thinking, and i encourage all consumers to make wise choices in where they spend their money. you get what you pay for. i for one will continue to support small companies when possible, even if it means paying a couple bucks extra for something that's truly hand-made.
full disclosure: i'm on staff at Muskie Mojo, maker of the Weagle, so have an obvious bias. however, i think my opinion stated above stands on it's own, especially in the context of the discussion in the other thread.
also: i deleted a number of posts which were just flat-out bashes. please avoid doing that so that this thread won't need to be shut down.
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | I think that the issue for the most part is a percieved lack of consistancy from bait to bait. I have no personal experiences with these baits yet but if that is the perception of the buying public, it is surely a legitimate concern.
I would like to mention that I really like the look of the Gizzard Shad soft plastic bait and I like the idea of the Torpedo soft walk the dog top water.
It would seem that the baits have awesome potential and maybe just have some minor tweaking needed to really impress the guys who are on the fence about them. Rick, great looking products and I wish you continued success.
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Posts: 190
| I am always sorry to hear about baits going over seas but I can see that this is the future for many companys that need to compete in in this market. I am by no means defending this situation but what I do understand is that it is the sole responsibility of the American company owner to ensure that the merchandise coming from overseas is quality and not released to the public untill it is no matter what company it is. In my oppinion it is not the overseas manufacturer that lets us down, its the company owner that says " thats is good enough " and we are left with an unsatisfactory product. I am not pointing fingers because I know of bait makers that have done very well and put quality merchandise on the market and some that have not. I personally will say that my baits will ALWAYS be made here in the USA or I will not make them!!!!!!!! I feel that this is one of the last true american sports and hate to see it change. I think everyone will agree that it is our responsibility as bait makers to ensure that our baits are the highest of quality no matter where they are made,after all we are fishing for the meanest and one of the strongest fish in fresh water and I hate to loose fish due to equipement failure as much as anyone.......Good Luck and Good Fishing.Doug Bradley | |
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| Hello all,
First off, I would like to thank everyone who has posted here. As I am sure is true of every manufacturer, we take all serious criticism and complements alike very seriously.
We are in a continuous cycle of trying to improve even our most sought after products. Anyone familiar with the lures we make will certainly recognize the above as a true statement, and that goes for both Reaction Strike lures as well as the many lures we make for other companies.
As a result, some lures to evolve over time. The individual that mentioned he had two homewreckers with different weighting could very well be correct. The original few thousand had minimal keel lead. Over time, because of comments from our customers, we have increased the lead. Mind you, it wasn't that the baits did not produce or did not work, but it was just that the heavier the bait, the better the sound and better the hookup percentages. I would be interested to ask whether both baits work perfectly. I would be very surprised to hear if any Homewrecker we have ever sold did not function perfectly, as we have never had a complaint. I will also note that the Homewrecker is a $20 bait and we have never had one returned. I for one, would surely return a $20 bait I was unhappy with since it costs less than $2.00 to put it in a 9" X 12" envelope for return.
I will also say that I truly believe our consistency is at least as good, if not better than other companies. For example, when we make gliders, we make 2,000 - 3,000 at a time. Each blank is CNC'd exactly the same. Holes for lead are exactly the same. Lead inserts are exactly the same. It is done by computer, and therefore far more accurate than anything done by hand. We don't make 50 baits one night, then 25 the next, so it just makes sense that we would be pretty consistent, especially with our wood lures. Of course, there are factors outside of our control like wood density, moisture content, etc.
As for our hand poured soft plastics, sure, there are definitely variabilities. Each bait is different, and the harness is hand placed in the mold so I am certain that there may be occasion where they are not perfectly centered. Between all the baits we made for our OEM customers, as well as our own, there is bound to be some that might not be perfect. I don't think we are any different from any manufacturer that is hand pouring baits in terms of variability one way or the other. Anything made entirely by hand is subject to variation, and some of our baits are less forgiving than others. The Fathead is one such bait, and due to its very wide head, an offcenter leadhead will lead to the bait being less stable.
The individual that mentioned that it is not worth sending a $2 bait back must be referring to somebody else's lure. Even our very smallest lure, the 5" Fathead retails for $6.99 at Rollie and Helens. We have never sold it for less than $5, even in bulk at tradeshows.
Again, all I can say is PLEASE return any bait you are not happy with. This forum is pretty much the 1/2 of 1% of the most serious musky fishermen. Most of the people here attend at least one tradeshow. Bring back a lure you are not happy with for a refund or at least a replacement. We would happily do this with no questions asked (unless there are teethmarks on the lure, LOL).
In any event, I wish everyone the best of luck, and we welcome any constructive criticism.
We will be in Columbus this weekend. Hope to see some of you there.
After that, the next show we will attend is the Blaine show in Minnesota.
Rick
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Posts: 551
Location: Columbus, Georgia | I spend a lot on baits. When I receive one that is damaged or defective out of the box, or have one that has almost immediate problems with flaking or paint once it's been thrown some ... I do not hesitate to contact the bait manufacturer right away.
Sometimes I will return it to the retailer if it was purchased online, but rather feel it is important for those that are making the bait to know what's what with their product.
In almost every single case, the bait producer has always been willing to accommodate me by replacing the lure right away. Many have said, "We will send you another and just keep the bad one you got."
I think the customer service within the Musky industry is consistently better and holds a much high standard for themselves that what you find out there in general.
Just my observations based on my own experience.
Have never purchased or thrown a Reaction Strike product. I think an offering to return defective baits is a minimum standard that any company should have (if they expect to stay in business).
Craig
Edited by cjrich 2/18/2007 7:22 PM
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Posts: 32930
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | All lures that are well designed and catch fish will eventually be 'copied'. Variants of the design will end up on the market, that's the lure business.
It's up to the manufacturer to establish a brand name that represents quality, durability, and angler success. It's 'brand' that matters once the lure has proven itself. A great example is the Weagle or Wabull. Yes, there are other lures out that now that are very similar, but most folks, when looking for that particular evolution of the zig zag topwater or glider, search out that brand.
Suick? Same thing. There are plenty of similar lures, but the Suick brand is instantly recognized.
Reaction Strike is no different in this aspect that any other builder. Any bait they build, whether a 'copy' or an original, has to stand the market test by the consumer and build a brand name.
These days a very significant portion of the brand creation or strengthening may be accomplished on the internet. Underestimating the reach of the Muskie messageboards would not be advisable, IMHO.
I'd strongly disagree that the folks reading MuskieFIRST are '1/2 of 1%' of the serious muskie anglers. If every regular visitor at MuskieFIRST attended the shows, one would not be able to move in the aisles. | |
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reaction strike lures