Hey guys. I'm interested in starting me a tackle box full of balsa baits. Unfortunately I'm not old enough to have the knowledge of these baits.

I'm needing recommendations on what companies to buy and the best place to buy them. I'm hesitant on eBay because I do not know what baits are valuable or not.

P.s. Can you buy a bait that "hunts" or do you get lucky?

I would start collecting a few of the Stanford Cedar Shad baits, but they are cedar, not balsa, but they work VERY WELL,but Dieter doesn't make them any more, but you CAN buy some of his old baits on eBay for about $15 each or so. Then I would go with some old Bagley baits, some Gary Dees D-baits, some Rapala and some old fashioned Lee Sisson, if you can find any"!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck on finding any outside of eBay, but maybe you can find some. Been there, done that and have the lures in 2 3600 boxes for special use on T days only. Hope this helps. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

That is a dangerous path you are looking to take as the good ones are not cheap. Really, it depends on where you want to start. If I was going to give some advice in that area, I would suggest you start with two and then go from there.

#1 - WEC E-I in Chartreuse/Black, you'll have to look around for this one as you won't find them in normal tackle stores
#2 - PH Huntin' P in Sumpin Special, http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/PH_Custom_Lures_Huntin_P_Squarebill_Crankbait/descpage-PHCLHP.html

That will get you started for around $50. Both are different styles but are some of the best I have used. There's no telling how many fish I have caught on the E-I, and just started with the Huntin' P. The Huntin' P has quickly risen to be one of my top choices. If you are wanting a tackle box full, get ready to break out several Benjamin's.

If you want to research, look at Bass Craft, Brian Bees, Dave's Black Market Balsa, Black Label Balsa(haven't tried one of those yet) and so on... If you have more time than money, watch Bass Boat Central's lures for sale section. There are some good ones that pop up there from time to time.

Oh, the only knock on the PH ones is that their hooks stink. Replace them immediately. I lost a few fish before I learned that lesson.

Sorry, I forgot the Zoom WEC Baits, as mentioned above. Also, a few South Bend lures were made of wood as well, but those may cost you in the $200 range as well, don't know, but good luck, again. New Dbaits run $15 to $25 for them.

http://www.dbaits.com/

Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

Eric Gandy who is a TFF member.


http://www.gandylureco.com/

Dave's Custom Baits. Black Market Balsa. Hand made and tuned to hunt.

I'd buy vintage Bagley Balsa B-1s. Check Ebay often.
Don't pay over $10.
Fire tiger, shad colors and tin foil are some of my favorites.

The new models are not as buoyant and are smaller. I stick with the old models.

I like the bagley b2's With brass hardware, also check out bass craft

This! And his paint jobs are some of the best Ive seen!

100% hands down the best!

Zoom WEC on Ebay, PH Custom Lures, and Bass Craft are the best ones I've found yet.

Are you related to Antonio Gil Y'Barbo AKA the pioneering settler of Nacogdoches?

Black lable are pretty good and the WEC ones

D Baits are no longer made. I've talked to Gary quite a few times and he says he's out of the crankbait business... Dan