I get this question about 3 times a week. Where can I buy XXXX big swimbait or trout plug? So I'm trying to put together a page with all of this info, but this is all I have so far. I need your guys' help digging up the info about the lures that I don't have info for below. If you know a shop that has a certain bait, or who makes a certain bait, or whatever, please post a reply to this message so I can compile all of this to add to the big plug article. Thanks.

-Rob

Where to Buy Trout Plugs and Big Swimbaits
------------------------------------------------
MS Slammer

Made By: Mike Shaw

Approx Pricing: $25-$35

Websites:
http://www.msslammer.com
http://www.centralcoastbass.com
http://www.umaxco.com

Stores:
Mike Shaw ( Dean's Performance and Muffler in Atascadero, CA ) 805-462-0592 or 805-466-8104 in the evening
Wilderness Outfitters in Arroyo Grande, CA - 805-489-9417
Anglers Outpost Marina at Santa Margarita Lake, CA - 805-438-4682
Longs Drugs in Paso Robles, CA - 805-238-2815
Coyote Bait and Tackle in Coyote, CA - 408-463-0711
------------------------------------------------
AC Plug ( new Luhr Jensen Version )

Made By: orignally - Allan Cole, now Luhr Jensen

Approx Pricing: $

Websites:
http://www.xmission.com/~red_dog/acplug/
http://www.luhr-jensen.com/tr_ac_plug.htm
http://www.cabelas.com

Stores:
Coyote Bait and Tackle in Coyote, CA - 408-463-0711
------------------------------------------------
AC Plug / Minnow ( original Allan Cole version )

Made By: Allan Cole

Approx Pricing: $14-$30

Websites:
http://www.xmission.com/~red_dog/acplug/
http://www.boatersworld.com

Stores:
Boater's World in Henderson, NV - 702-898-6598
------------------------------------------------
Stocker Trout

Made By: Rod and Todd Thigpin

Approx Pricing: $

Websites: n/a

Stores:
Eric's Tackle Shop - Ventura, CA - 805-648-5665
Wilderness Outfitters - Arroyo Grande, CA - 805-489-9417
Anglers Outpost Marina - Santa Margarita Lake, CA - 805-438-4682
Limit Out Bait and Tackle - Clearlake Oaks, CA - 707-998-1006
------------------------------------------------
Mission Fish Swimbait

Made By:

Approx Pricing: $

Websites: n/a

Stores:
Bass World West - Santa Ana, CA - 714-667-6006
Hogan's Sports Inc. - Pleasant Hill, CA - 925-626-1985
Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks, CA - 707-998-1006
Walton's Pond - San Leandro, CA - 510-352-3932
------------------------------------------------
Generic Trout

Made By: Jerry Rago

Approx Pricing: $200

Websites: n/a

Stores: ?
------------------------------------------------
Osprey Swimbait ( rubber )

Made By: Steve Harner / Uma-x

Approx Pricing: $14-23

Websites:
http://www.umaxco.com
http://www.jttackle.com

Stores:
Bass World West - Santa Ana, CA - 714-667-6006
Coyote Bait and Tackle in Coyote, CA - 408-463-0711
Eric's Tackle Shop - Ventura, CA - 805-648-5665
J&T Tackle - Simi Valley, CA - 805-527-7653
Wilderness Outfitters in Arroyo Grande, CA - 805-489-9417
Uma-x - Long Beach, CA - 562-434-7925

------------------------------------------------
Osprey Hardbait

Made By: Jerry Rago

Approx Pricing: $

Websites: none

Stores:
------------------------------------------------
Generic Trout

Made By: Jerry Rago

Approx Pricing: $200

Websites: none

Stores:
------------------------------------------------
Castaic Softbait Trout

Made By: Castaic Softbait

Approx Pricing: $30

Websites:
http://www.castaic.com/


Stores:
Angler's Marine - Anaheim, CA - 714-666-BOAT
Anglers Outpost Marina at Santa Margarita Lake, CA - 805-438-4682
------------------------------------------------
Optimum Swimbaits

Made By:

Approx Pricing:

Websites:
http://www.thefishermans-tips.com/index.html

Stores:
Angler's Marine - Anaheim, CA - 714-666-BOAT
Anglers Outpost Marina at Santa Margarita Lake, CA - 805-438-4682
Jay Lui's Service - Newark, CA - 510-794-4089
------------------------------------------------
Basstrix Swimbaits

Made By: Basstrix

Approx Pricing:

Websites:
http://www.basstrix.com/

Stores:
Angler's Marine - Anaheim, CA - 714-666-BOAT
Coyote Bait and Tackle in Coyote, CA - 408-463-0711
Jay Lui's Service - Newark, CA - 510-794-4089
------------------------------------------------

Original AC Plugs and AC Minnows can be got through Allan Cole or this webpage, http://www.xmission.com/~red_dog/acplug/, they usually run between $14-$35. Word has it that the Ospery Hardbait, Osprey softbait, and Generic Trout can be bought directly through Jerry Rago and some tackle stores around Mohave/Cottonwood Cove are selling them.

Bass World West has Mission Fish and Osprey Softbaits. J&T had Ospreys the last time I was there.
-Brian

Eric's has stocker trout also.

The new A.C. plugs are always popping up on ebay for about 10 bucks.
The rubber osprey's are at the Turners outdoorsman stores.
-RD

hogan's in concord has mission fish swimbaits, don't have their number though. they also have some goofy looking frogs they make, actually they look really good, but $$$.

what in thaa heck are they? i cant find a pic anywhere! are they trout plugs or are they swimbaits like osprey, or optimum, or are they more like big hammers?
patrick

Waltons pond has mission fish.
tight lines
Ryan

Thanks for the info everyone. Can you guys also provide phone numbers and Cities? I need them for:

J&T Tackle
Bass World West
Hogan's
Walton's Pond

If any of the guys from these shops (or any shop for that matter) wants to post a list of what they have and approximate pricing, that would be great too.

Also, does anyone have Jerry Rago's number if he doesn't mind it being posted on the internet and is looking for business?

What the hell is the Geniric Trout and why is it $200?

That big 13-7 lb'er with the Generic Trout hangin' out of its mouth oughtta convince you of its worth! :-)

J&T Tackle
1750 E. Los Angeles Ave.
Simi Valley, CA 93065
805-527-7653
www.jttackle.com

Bass World West
2144 N. Tustin Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-667-6006

Hogan's Sports Inc.
1500 Contra Costa Blvd.
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
925-626-1985

Walton's Pond
14837 Washington Ave.
San Leandro, CA 94578
510-352-3932

Don't know about Rago's contact, but Eric can special order Generic Trouts and Rago baits. He doesn't stock them anymore because they were too expensive.
-Brian

I was down in San Jose on Sunday and the Fisherman's warehouse there has the AC Plugs made by Luhr Jensen and they even have some of the ones made by Fred Arbogast. Their number is 408-873-0113.

Anglers Marine
714.666.BOAT
Contact: Cameron Smith
Anaheim, CA

They carry:
Optimum Swimbaits
BassTrix
Stocker
Eagle (and the soon to be released Eaglette!)
Castiac
Mission Fish

bob sands fishing tackle in van nuys has a couple different wood, plastic,and molded ones.


*striper special("the lure")

probassoutfitters.com

Sorry about the last posting, but an Osprey customer of ours in South Africa (yes, the Osprey is getting the attention of big bass anglers in other parts of the world too!) just let us know about the big bait forum. As part of Team Osprey, we distribute the Osprey softbait models in the US and overseas. We also sell Rago's Generic Trout, M.S. Slammers, and Z-Plugs. We have also carried the original Osprey woodbait, but it is currently not in production.

We have teamed up with Jerry Rago to sell limited quantities of the Generic Trout and other "secret" baits. The Generic Trout is made in two sizes and is about $100. Is it worth it? The select few who have fished them seem to think so. We have had a waiting list of US Anglers and over the last few months the Generic Trout has caught the interest of big bait anglers in Japan.

The original Osprey Talon soft swimbait has created a resurgence in US and Japan big bait fishing. Thanks to Capt. Greg at our Japanese affiliate company and his Team Big Bait crew, Osprey has been the dominant big fish producer in Japan. Every Japanese fishing magazine and newspaper has chronicled the Osprey phenomenon and it's also been featured many times on both national and local television, as well as video. The astounding success of Osprey lure is due to one simple fact -- the baits catch fish (not only by well known names but by average anglers as well). A testament to the Osprey success is the recent knockoffs and copies of the Talon from China and the US. Team Osprey has many new models to stay ahead of the competition. The new models have been extensively field-tested in Ameria and Japan will be available in the US early 2002.

If anyone would like further information, they can contact us at 562-434-7925 or through our website at www.umaxco.com

Thanks for the post Chris. Good info. Feel free to throw in a couple cents every now and then.
-Brian

know where I an see the generic trout?
patrick

There is now a picture of the Generic Trout (Cutthroat) on our webpage. See www.umaxco.com/bigbaits.htm We just got a shipment today (20+) but they are all spoken for. We'll have more after the first of the year.

wow, that is a work of art. Alright, I'm getting one.
-Brian

How heavy are these baits? Everytime I look at one in the store, it never says what the weight is...

The Castaic SoftBait company...Here is the URL

http://www.castaic.com/newsletter.htm

they have online product catalogues and ordering. They make a huge trout bait that is so beautiful it seems almost a shame to fish...They also make sunfish patterns and others...

I do not fish fw bass but I remember when my buddy worked at Turner's outdoorman, this bait was hot after Bob Crupi nailed the big one at Lake Castaic on a big, rainbow pattern swimbait...

Good Luck

-Mike Chung

>I get this question about 3 times a week. Where can I buy
>XXXX big swimbait or trout plug? So I'm trying to put
>together a page with all of this info, but this is all I
>have so far. I need your guys' help digging up the info
>about the lures that I don't have info for below. If you
>know a shop that has a certain bait, or who makes a certain
>bait, or whatever, please post a reply to this message so I
>can compile all of this to add to the big plug article.
>Thanks.
>
>-Rob
>
>Where to Buy Trout Plugs and Big Swimbaits
>------------------------------------------------
>MS Slammer
>
>Made By: Mike Shaw
>
>Approx Pricing: $25-$35
>
>Websites:
>http://www.msslammer.com
>http://www.centralcoastbass.com
>http://www.umaxco.com
>
>Stores:
>Mike Shaw ( Dean's Performance and Muffler in Atascadero, CA
>) 805-462-0592 or 805-466-8104 in the evening
>Wilderness Outfitters in Arroyo Grande, CA - 805-489-9417
>Anglers Outpost Marina at Santa Margarita Lake, CA -
>805-438-4682
>Longs Drugs in Paso Robles, CA - 805-238-2815
>Coyote Bait and Tackle in Coyote, CA - 408-463-0711
>------------------------------------------------
>AC Plug ( new Luhr Jensen Version )
>
>Made By: orignally - Allan Cole, now Luhr Jensen
>
>Approx Pricing: $
>
>Websites:
>http://www.xmission.com/~red_dog/acplug/
>http://www.luhr-jensen.com/tr_ac_plug.htm
>http://www.cabelas.com
>
>Stores:
>Coyote Bait and Tackle in Coyote, CA - 408-463-0711
>------------------------------------------------
>AC Plug / Minnow ( original Allan Cole version )
>
>Made By: Allan Cole
>
>Approx Pricing: $14-$30
>
>Websites:
>http://www.xmission.com/~red_dog/acplug/
>http://www.boatersworld.com
>
>Stores:
>Boater's World in Henderson, NV - 702-898-6598
>------------------------------------------------
>Stocker Trout
>
>Made By: Rod and Todd Thigpin
>
>Approx Pricing: $
>
>Websites: n/a
>
>Stores:
>Eric's Tackle Shop - Ventura, CA - 805-648-5665
>Wilderness Outfitters - Arroyo Grande, CA - 805-489-9417
>Anglers Outpost Marina - Santa Margarita Lake, CA -
>805-438-4682
>Limit Out Bait and Tackle - Clearlake Oaks, CA -
>707-998-1006
>------------------------------------------------
>Mission Fish Swimbait
>
>Made By:
>
>Approx Pricing: $
>
>Websites: n/a
>
>Stores:
>Bass World West - Santa Ana, CA - 714-667-6006
>Hogan's Sports Inc. - Pleasant Hill, CA - 925-626-1985
>Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks, CA -
>707-998-1006
>Walton's Pond - San Leandro, CA - 510-352-3932
>------------------------------------------------
>Generic Trout
>
>Made By: Jerry Rago
>
>Approx Pricing: $100
>
>Websites: Coming soon
>
>Stores: Uma-x trading Co. Long Beach CA try umaxco.com
>------------------------------------------------
>Osprey Swimbait ( rubber )
>
>Made By: Steve Harner / Uma-x
>
>Approx Pricing: $14-23
>
>Websites:
>http://www.umaxco.com
>http://www.jttackle.com
>
>Stores:
>Bass World West - Santa Ana, CA - 714-667-6006
>Coyote Bait and Tackle in Coyote, CA - 408-463-0711
>Eric's Tackle Shop - Ventura, CA - 805-648-5665
>J&T Tackle - Simi Valley, CA - 805-527-7653
>Wilderness Outfitters in Arroyo Grande, CA - 805-489-9417
>Uma-x - Long Beach, CA - 562-434-7925
>
>------------------------------------------------
>Osprey Hardbait
>
>Made By: Jerry Rago
>
>Approx Pricing: $
>
>Websites: none
>
>Stores:
>------------------------------------------------
>Generic Trout
>
>Made By: Jerry Rago
>
>Approx Pricing: $100
>
>Websites: none
>
>Stores: Uma-X Trading Co, Long Beach, CA Ask for Sherry or Chris
>------------------------------------------------
>Castaic Softbait Trout
>
>Made By: Castaic Softbait
>
>Approx Pricing: $30
>
>Websites:
>http://www.castaic.com/
>
>
>Stores:
>Angler's Marine - Anaheim, CA - 714-666-BOAT
>Anglers Outpost Marina at Santa Margarita Lake, CA -
>805-438-4682
>------------------------------------------------
>Optimum Swimbaits
>
>Made By:
>
>Approx Pricing:
>
>Websites:
>http://www.thefishermans-tips.com/index.html
>
>Stores:
>Angler's Marine - Anaheim, CA - 714-666-BOAT
>Anglers Outpost Marina at Santa Margarita Lake, CA -
>805-438-4682
>Jay Lui's Service - Newark, CA - 510-794-4089
>------------------------------------------------
>Basstrix Swimbaits
>
>Made By: Basstrix
>
>Approx Pricing:
>
>Websites:
>http://www.basstrix.com/
>
>Stores:
>Angler's Marine - Anaheim, CA - 714-666-BOAT
>Coyote Bait and Tackle in Coyote, CA - 408-463-0711
>Jay Lui's Service - Newark, CA - 510-794-4089
>------------------------------------------------

Please check out my web site at www.smartlures.com I make swim baits, and have some trout colors. Thank you

There is a shop in the Brea/Diamond Bar area called Fisherman's Access that does a fair job on the big stuff. He is predominantly a Saltwater shop but has a lot of freshwater bass equipment as well as Optimum, Castaic, and Basstrix baits in stock. His name is Jack and the number at the store is 714-674-0064.

If you're in the area, this is a store worth checking out. He emphasizes the "High-End" tackle so if you're looking for the good stuff...check him out. He is a great guy and a great fisherman!

Darin

Anglers Marine carries most baits and tackle I read already...however, they carry a bait called the Eagle. I got my hands and one this weekend and was very pleased with the results. It is like and new and improved Osprey...

Anglers Marine is in Anaheim or somewhere nearby.
I will put a post on the pros and cons of the Eagle.

I have images and I hope I figure out how to post them.

Hey Matt do you think you could give Cameron a call and find out exactly which baits they have down there at Anglers? Also what's their phone number and city? It's good if we can get shops all over the state.