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Posts: 159
Location: NYC (and many weeks in MN during summer) | I can't believe it, but I just checked eBay for the going prices of Mantas. I was stunned to see them going for $70 or more. I heard an orange firetiger went for $101.79 not long ago.
I've been fortunate to pick up a dozen or so in the last few weeks, some considerably for more than their original selling price, but I'm now out of the market, LOL. I looked up bikinibaits online because I heard their new turmoil fx(not sure of the last 2 letters) had the manta design. Sure enough, it looks like the manta. Not sure of it's action in the water, but it should be similar. That it only comes in 4 color patterns, none black, is a real drawback IMO.
From what I can tell, if anyone was considering producing similar gliders, the time is now. For those hoarding the originals with no intention of utilizing them as lures, this might be the time to consider selling.
Randy |
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Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | nahhhhh wait a couple years after all the ones out there now get picked up for the money they are going for... I see the demand for them almost as big as the demand for Frenchies a couple years back, where I saw lots of them sold for over 500$ a piece..boy was that nice...but I still throw a few of them because they literally are the best topwater baits for me next to the hi-fin original hawgbusters |
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Posts: 238
| I seen that too on ebay, my fav. color was on there at 77$, to rich for my blood! 500$ no way!! |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Heard some great stuff about the ones from Bikinibaits. He makes some great lures! I also have talked with another company that will be making some similar Manta style lures too.
I will be making two gliders, 8" and a 10" model. All similar to the Manta but they have some twists to them that make them unique. BTW, mine won't be $70  More like $13-$14 for the 8" and $15-$16 for the 10". Prototypes are done, just checking all the weights and adjusting them now so they run right. I hope to have 20 colors and then up it to 40 or so colors by Spring of 2009 if sales are decent. Calling them the SEA COW and SEA CALF. You will see them in about 6 weeks if all goes well. If anyone has a favorite color let me know and I might be able to include it. I think you will see most of the poular ones plus a few new wild ones in the mix once I hit 40 colors.
James |
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Posts: 273
| I bought one at a bait shop the other day for 18 bucks. I gave it to a buddy since I do a lot of fishing in the back of his boat. I guess I should have sold it on Ebay and given him the money for gas.
Jeff |
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Location: Land of the Musky | Buy any you can find Jeff They are still going for $40-$60 on da eBay. Fun to watch them sell actually... |
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Location: Hayward, WI | tacklebooty - 8/5/2008 12:54 PM
Fun to watch them sell actually...
And even more fun if you are the one selling them!  Wish I had a bunch of them laying around.
curleytail |
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Posts: 159
Location: NYC (and many weeks in MN during summer) | hey James, I'll buy some when they. One out.
How about a glow tiger. I'd love to see that during both the day and night.
Randy |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | Hi Randy,
The only thing that really makes my TurmoilX and the Manta similar is the lexan tail. The Manta is round and my bait is flat-sided. The glide on the Manta is wider than my bait too because of the round body. The lexan tail on my bait was actually an afterthought. When I switched over from wood to solid plastic I started experimenting with various weighting scenarios and after several weeks of experimenting decided to try the tail. I ultimately chose to go with the lexan tail because it allows the lure to be worked faster which I personally like in a glider.
I really hope the owner of Manta starts producing the lure again. Whether you like the action of the Manta or not, most would agree that the gliding motion of the Manta really is in a class of its own.
Jed V.
www.bikinibaitcompany.com
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Posts: 133
Location: Lake Tomahawk, Musky Central, USA | Just got back from my cabin out on Black and found a couple more PRISTINE mantas that are goin away for a while:) No joke about the LeLures though man, talk to my dad about it if you know him...talk about makin a buck, or a couple 20 thousand |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Here is a sneak peek at my prototypes. All super tough high impact ABS including the tail.
Attachments
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 sea cow calf.jpg (35KB - 93 downloads)
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Posts: 159
Location: NYC (and many weeks in MN during summer) | hey Jed, my bad on the innapropriate comparison. I hadheardthat they were similar to mantas, and the truth is, the shape of your lure is hard to discern on your website. That is compounded by the fact that I do 99% of all my Internet surfing on my 3" iPhone screen ratherthan my 24"mac.
I'd loveto give your bait a test run on my fishing trip in MN in ten days. I'll call your number listedon the web site tmrw.
Thanks
Randy |
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Posts: 238
| I know about some off Frencies lures going for that much and I have seen a couple up close and I also seen one that had the red dot on it!! I was thinking of the Mantas when I said no way going for 500$! I hope he starts making them again! But I heard he is spending more time with his family, cant blame him for that! Now is a waiting game!! As of the new TurmoilX I will be trying out on a lake this weekend and already like what I seen of it on a river!! |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | Ya I tried to call and email Paul to buy the Manta but never did reach him or get a call back. Would have loved to own that brand! I know of a few guys who tried also with no luck. I assume he will continue one day and this is why he may have kept the company/brand Manta. Not sure, just guessing? |
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Posts: 431
| I just got 1 of each color of the Turmoilxs. Tried them out for a few minutes tonight, and I like what I see so far. |
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Posts: 203
| I heard he was asking way too much for the rights to the manta.
isn't there a patent on it right? |
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Location: Land of the Musky | They have never had a patent on it as far as I know. It has been "patent pending" for years and years. Never seen the application IP for it either and I have looked. I have no clue what they would have patented anyway. IMO they put "Patent Pending" on the tail a while back to try and keep anyone from using a flat tail or something??? To bad that flat tail has been out for about 80 years on gliders and jerkbaits. Most patents are not worth the paper they are printed on, they just make good road blocks to companies who do not know how to deal with them. On that note, anyone know what ever happened to the chatterbait patent infringers? I know the original patent holder was going after 2-3 lure companies for infringment and I still see a lot of chatterbaits out there from various companies. |
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Posts: 385
| Jed, that turmoilx is an awesome bait. Way better than the manta in construction and way better on hook ups. It's not as robotic as a manta and it's flat sides hook up on fish better. The glide on that thing is unbelievable, and you can actually make the bait glide as long or short as you want it to, it also wobbles a little on the pause. I lose too many fish and way too many follows on the manta. I'll have to put mine on ebay for those prices. |
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Location: Oregon | Thanks Matt.......I'm glad you like the lure, hope you hook a few big fish on it this fall, send me an email.
I had a guy send me a pic of a 53" fish from MN today.
Jed V.
Edited by RiverMan 8/10/2008 11:52 PM
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