gotcha.

Could it be that the molds they use for the silent version are different from rattling version?

All of mine are silent. It's the ones that are made in Costa Rica that aren't as nice. The pictures don't show the differences very well, night and day between the two in person. They were so bad that I thought they might be cheap copies.

Mine are the opposite. I bought several 1.5's @ bass pro a couple of months ago and were good quality and had made in costa rica on the package. I went back last week to get some more of the same color and i noticed a big difference in color and quality. These were made in China (JUNK). I was lucky enough to find a couple like i had that were made in Costa Rica and looked great.

Folks, I am the product manager for Strike King lure company, and want to address everyone's concerns regarding the KVD squarebills. 1st, I assure you that other than a few "secret colors" KVD always uses off the shelf merchandise just like you and I!!! He is very adamant about all of his signature baits being of the highest quality, and will not endorse a product if it is not....Regarding the red gill plate on the color 535...It was originally spec'd out with the red gill plate, however, the first batch that we got in did not have the red gill plate, and that was the bait he was using in the Classic (because that was all he had). All, of the later production has had the red gill plate, which KVD actually prefers. Regsrding 1st batch, 2nd batch etc etc China vs Costa Rica etc etc....Please see the following: The majority of our hardbait production has come from our Costa Rican facility for the last several years. We switched to that location trying to increase the consisitency and the quality of our hardbaits, and we are very pleased with the results. Now specifically regarding the KVD squarebills: we actually developed both a Chinese manufacturing operation along with our Costa Rican operation. This allowed us to to have ample manufacturing capabilities and to be able to somewhat keep up with the demand. Yes there are some very very subtle differences to the eye, but there are no differences in the quality, how they run, or the fish catching abilities between the baits. All the baits feature the same quality components, from eyes to hooks to hand tuning. I would challenge any of you to find a KVD bait that doesn't run well assuming you haven't cracked it on your trolling motor!!!!!

Regarding the Chinese made baits. These baits are held to the same high standards that we require from our Costa Rica Plant, and in fact, they have even surpassed those expectations in many cases. Also, just so there is no grey area here..IT IS NOT CHEAPER FOR US TO MANUFACTURE OUR PRODUCTS IN CHINA....It is simply another avenue for quality production.

And as always, if you are not happy with a Strike King Product. Please call customer service and let us know. We always have and always will take care of you, because we are fisherman too!!!

I believe Timmy Horton said it best in an article in Bass Master a couple of years ago. "Not all crankbaits are created equal." After you get a knack for knowing what to look for in a crankbait, it is easy to pick through the ones that didn't come out clean or has flaws. He said he went through 25 to 50 of the same make/color/depth range and literally found 4 that ran true and hunted the way he liked right out of the package.

Just goes to show even a pro that is sponsored has problems getting quality products.

I have also been asked about the silent vs rattling...Folks here is the bottom line to that. We sell a rattling version of the KVD1.5 and KVD2.5 to Bass Pro. The rattling version is only available at Bass Pro. The baits are identical and the only difference is a post that allows the weights to move back and forth within the rattle chamber, hence the bait rattles...This allows us to have both a silent and a rattling version and for the baits to run the same.

I prefer the Xcaliber series of flat bills , they cost a little more but the quality & paint is top notch.
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/XCalibur_XCS_Square_Lip_Silent_Crankbait/descpage-XCXCS.html

in response to all crankbaits not being created equal...this has some truth to it. But actually the "one" special bait in fact does have a flaw, and sometimes these flaws make it run a little different or have some subtle sound difference that draws more strikes. These are the baits the Pro's recognize, and keep and use only in tough tournament situations..We have all seen that bait...that looks the same and fishes the same, yet consistently gets us more bites. This is the concept that we used and tried to incorporate within the design of the KVD1.5 and KVD2.5. That wandering, constantly searching motion that definitely draws more strikes...

This must be Chris. I have spoken with you a few times. You are a great guy and Niggemeyer had plenty of great things to say about you. Having said that...without sacrificing your livelihood you have to admit a bad batch here and there gets out. Everybody knows that all manufacturers face the same problem with supply vs. demand. All is well so long as quality isn't sacrificed. After looking at the original posters pics it is obvious that some get missed.

Thanks for the replies strikekinglures. I didn't think this post would get this much attention.

I picked up 7 1.5's when they first came out and they were all great looking and running baits. That's why I was just surprised to see very different looking 1.5's when I opened up my package of backordered 1.5 black back/charteuse yesterday. I'm going to try one to see how it runs. The differences are two small for a fish to notice if the action is the same.

While your here I have another question for you. Why don't you put Mustad triple grips on them? The hooks you use are good but if KVD changes them why not sell them that way? I've changed all of mine.

Thanks again for the replies.

I am sure they could put mustad triple grips on them but then you are paying $10 for a $5 crankbait.

Chris Brown is no longer with Strike King.

I hate to be the pessimist here, but I wish like he77 some of this great fishing gear would be produced right here in the good old USA.

Seems all the high end stuff is produced overseas. Don't get me wrong I love SK products and have a boat full of there products.

Just wish moe things would be made in the states.

MN baser, I hope the baits u ordered catch some great fish. Oh well fish on.

Yeah I just found that out the hard way. I guess I need to meet Charles now.