Somehow after years, I still haven't learned to attach pictures on here. Anyways, the top lures for Lake Murray are on Bassmaster. I always like that article. And I like Trey McKinney and have had a great time defending him against the FFS crybabies online. The kid can fish and is going to be around for a long time. But one picture shows him with a "prototype bait" that Strike King is "developing" for ICAST. It is exactly a Jackall Riser Bait. American companies are getting way too comfortable blatantly ripping Japanese baits off. I know BPS has done it forever on the strength of having the best lawyers, but the laziness and lack of ingenuity is just so bad. Last year it was Spro and Missile directly ripping off the Cover Scat. It sours me on these companies until I really don't want to buy their product any more. I would rather pay more for the real thing than a blatant rip off. Thoughts?

https://www.bassmaster.com/elite/slideshow/top-lures-at-lake-murray-2024/1213253

90% of the baits on the market are copies of some type of original design or concept.

Pretty much. Just like watches.

I remember when SK stole one of the local painter's bait schemes when the pros were here on Ray Hubbard. Gandy got hosed on that steal.

Well, the rest of the world has been ripping off American ideas and products for decades... And they ain't small things like fishing lures... Dan

I think he actually gave a few baits to Van Dam at a Classic and then he and SK knocked off one of his unique colors. I may have it all wrong, but for some reason that story came to mind.

Yep you can get copies of almost any lure design anywhere you look. About the only lures that I can never recall seeing copied are some of Fred Arbogast's designs.
I think the one that has been copied the most is the Mr. Twister original design plastic worm.
Frankly I wish someone would come out with and exact copy; right down to the scent, of the Mann's Jelly Worm. I caught fish on them and caught my very first bass on a worm with these. I don't think it is so much the number of fish I caught but the memories that went with using them.

I also remember at ICAST when Steve Parks had an absolute come apart because Headstream made their own rage craw and released it. Had Headstreams baits taken out of ICAST on the spot. This is apparently ok though.

I cant think of an American bait that the Japanese have ripped off like this. The Sakamata shad looks kind of like a fluke i guess but that is where the similarities end. No need to steal ideas when you are a decade ahead in the game.

Kind of like all plastic worms are a knock off of creme scoundrel from 1949. So will you only use creme plastic worms now?

Cover scat looks like something the dog left behind in the yard, but it looks similar to the old Phantom phish sticks from the 80-90's. Sometimes lures are splashed from the original, but alot of times deals are made between companies. Sk and Strike pro have a contract for strike pro to supply SK with the hybrid hunter (bubba).. Both companies win in the situation.

More so there are only a handful of lure manufacturers that supply most of the industry, once a patent runs out it's is a free for all for all lure companies to get in on the action.

Does TEMU have baits?

Looks similar but has jointed segments

I want a susupending spinnerbait

Strike King has been the worst at R & D - rip off and duplicate.
Yet SK got pizzed at iCast when the rage tail was R&D'ed

Just gotta figure out how to make the blades turn