Just me but if someone is working with lead and has to buy all the expensive equipment to be safe, I would pay a bit more to make sure he or she is around for a long time. If I am not willing to do the work because of danger or lack of equipment, then what that means is I have to pay for that. I don't know exact numbers as I don't do this for a living but if a slab costs me $.35-$.40 to make and I sell it for $.75, to me that's not worth the risk of lead poisoning. And to top it off if I had to buy all kinds of ventilators, rent or build a space to house the operation, plus whatever permits and insurance, that makes no sense to me. And that's before I have to pay for the powder coating equipment!! Imagine the electric bill on that operation...

Not trying to piss anyone off but with the amount of money we spend on rods, reels, boat, equipment, fuel, licenses, etc. sometimes the key part is the lure. And if, like myself, we can't or won't make our own, then we have to pay.

Pittstate, I think you're doing the right thing, shop around for sure. But if the RSR or TNT pricing is not right for you, then stay with the Academy ones. They are most likely made in China in super huge quantities and that's why the price is what it is. I can tell you that I have some of those and they start peeling quick. I use the RSR glitter shad a lot and have had the same one for almost a year. I've been lucky it has not snagged on anything. I tested them all in my pool and it fell the best in my opinion. Plus Phillip is a stand up guy and that means a lot to me.

Good luck brother and hope you find some.

Diel11, My problem is that I am not a very good fisherman because I tend to lose my slabs before they tear apart. I could probably stop losing them a little if I would re-tie my slab every 50 fish or so.....but, when the action is hot, I am not going to stop fishing to re-tie. That is why I don't like spending big $$ on slabs.

And, I didn't post this thread to "pimp" any lure makers or put any of them down. I have had slabs from every lure maker either "Peel", "Fade", "bend hooks", or "etc". They all use lead, wire frames, split rings and hooks for the most part. I know I could catch just as many or probably more fish using high $ crank baits. But, why? When I can catch limits in 2 hours or less using cheap lead slabs.

I appreciate everyones comments. But, please try to keep them positive and gears towards where I can kind what I am looking for. If it doesn't exist, I will go to Academy.
Thanks.

you also might be able to find some at pawn shops or garage sales. post an ad in craigslist or here in the classifieds.

Moe's tackle????

If he doesn't have em then you don't need em...I've not seen any better pricing anywhere...but what do I know..some say nothing

Considering the cost of fuel,truck/boat and everything else the cost of a slab is a small part of the whole picture. I have fished with Moe's slabs for the last year and I could not be more pleased with the quality,price & service.. Plue he is one heck of a nice guy!!!

This is wearing me out.

OK.

But I still think that I put out the best case senerio to get you the absolute best deal.

You've mentioned that you buy in bulk. So when you go fishing pull out 5 or so slabs (more if you take others) and add the hooks. You could probably add a hook/split ring to a slab in roughly 20 seconds or less I would guess. There's no need to have all 200 slabs ready to go at this very moment.

And, no need to spend alot of your time adding "splash" to a simple one color slab. Hungry fish will eat ugly slabs too

=

Just keep buying them at Academy!

I looked on ebay and didn't see anyone selling shad type slabs for under a $1 or even close. I see a bunch of junk and other types, but no shad style I am looking for.

I can order them straight from China/Taiwan for very cheap. The problem is that your first small order to check them out is great. Then, when you place your big order, there is a very high probability that you will get back someone other than the first order. I know several people that have tried this route and almost all of them got swindled.

Might have to send a "Hail Call" out to Mike Oser at Moestackleshop.com and try to convince him to bring back the "Thrifty Slab". He use to sell it for under $1.50 and even cheaper when I bought in bulk or on one of his sales.

QUACK QUACK QUACK ...

Lets see $50,000 for the boat.
$200 to fill it up.
$70 to gas up the truck.
$200 for the Revo reels x 10 not counting the rods.
$1500 for the boat Insurance

Slabs don't seem to be much of a worry. But I do know a local company that can hook you up. I will pm you his info when I get back to my office.

Questioning that the motives of this post are greater than simply looking for a cheap $1 slab.

X2


It's gettin REALLY OLD!