I agree. They are effective and it is tempting for me to buy one. Instead I'll stick with my cheapo Storm swimbaits, they work just fine for me and are much more affordable. I don't think anyone has argued their productivity - though we've said live bait will almost always outfish these baits - I will argue however their cost to benefit ratio for the average joe angler. The average guy doesn't need a $40 bait, period, simply because he isn't going to recoup that money casting if for a couple hours. Now, the difference between needing something and wanting something I know is much different, and I know plenty of people that would pay that much for a bait, and for some, the joy of having a bait that costs $40 outwieghs its cost making it an economical decision for them.[>:]

And now that I've used way more economics than any person should be allowed to post on a fishing forum, I'll throw in something fun to heal the pain felt by all Lake Michigan as seen on a July sunrise from the South Pier of Racine WI.