What kinds of lures, etc. do you guys like to use and where do you get them from. I'm mainly interested in companies that aren't at the big box places. There are a number of small companies out there it seems that are mostly word of mouth or have websites that look like they are from the 90's. I have a hard time looking at some of those sites and taking the places seriously, so recommendations are really what I'm looking for.

For bass fishing plastics, I like the stuff that StankX Bait Co. makes. It's one guy in his garage that loves to pour. He has great prices, many styles/colors to choose from and even does custom pours. If you fish Senkos, large grubs, or large tubes, you should check out his baits. www.stankxbaitco.com

Another shop that I buy gear from is A-Baits in Lockport. Charlie runs the shop and hand makes lures there all day long. Good quality spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, jigs, ice fishing jigs, and inline spinners. All of his stuff is made with passion for the sport of fishing and looks hand made. Often times I find myself leaving there with a bag of tackle that I don't even need but was so impressed with it that I just had to have it...

Ken likes the Producto grubs. IMO a grub is a grub, but I'm no grub expert...

An up-and-comer in the local plastics arena is Crabby Bass Lures. The helgrammite they make is darn impressive.

Cabin Creek is the company that makes the feathered jigs we were using in the creek on Sunday. I picked those up at Dick's, but I think the website certainly falls under your parameters.

Special Ed wrote:Ken likes the Producto grubs. IMO a grub is a grub, but I'm no grub expert...

Hardly...

No other grub is made with the ribs on the Producto grubs. I've tried many. They out produce everything.

I hear Ed makes a decent rod, but I wouldn't know...

MC Custom Rods made the one I use exclusively. I'll probably never go store bought again.

I usually use the higher end St. Croix's, but for the price I'd go custom.

Case helgrammites.

YUM crayfish.

Are these the craws that you like or another style?

http://www.lurenet.com/brands/yum-baits/yum-f2-crawbug

That's the one, they have them in all kinds of colors, but I go with what I've seen in the rivers.

I do all my finer tackle shopping at Wallies World. They have them there.

The ones where I'm down to my last bag they don't seem to make any more. Little smaller, everything eats them.

I should take a picture of them.

most of my favorite companies have been mentioned and tend to all be "the little guy".

I am big fan of sims spinners, stankx, and another local company called bizz baits. They actually make my favorite buzz frog.

In terms of rods, I do like the custom stuff. I have a rod from MC and Ed and they are both sweet set ups. If I am not going custom, I like Grandt.

As for fly fishing stuff - i tie most of my own flies and the lines are generally a personal preference. I don't think one is that much greater than the other and one line can do 99% of your fishing just fine -if I had to say my personal favorite all around line, I would say is the Scientific Anglers GPX line.

What does one pay for a custom built rod?

less than the cost of a premium stick from a big name.

Anthony Mikos wrote:What does one pay for a custom built rod?

It can vary greatly. Most guys are comfortable using anything that casts and won't break when they drop it. They would not see the value of a custom built rod.

Other guys know exactly what length/action/power/application they want a rod to be so that it is a tool for them to fish. If they cannot find exactly what they want on the shelf or if what they do find is way overpriced, a custom rod can be the answer.

There is also the cool factor that you can't discount, we all like toys.

The custom rods I have built in the last 6 months have ranged from $75 to $500. Average price is right around the $150-$175 mark.