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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Lee Margrave on March 21, 2011, 07:47:11 AM

Title: Maniac lures
Post by: Lee Margrave on March 21, 2011, 07:47:11 AM
I had recently seen some Maniac lures on the internet.   I was wondering if any one on the forum has any hands on experience with these lures and can rate their perfomance and quality.  They look great. But would like to know that they hold up and perform well before buying any...... Thanks all.........Lee
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Ben Furness on March 21, 2011, 09:11:01 AM
I was going to ask the same thing. Very cheap and seem to be finished very well.
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Ken Best on March 21, 2011, 09:32:55 AM
Gents,

Be careful, as I bought four cheap "copy" poppers a couple of years ago.
They didn't float unless I downsized the trebles and the finish came off after a one hour casting session with no fish!! 
The wiring was also very sub-standard.
I ended up giving them away.

For the same money I could have purchased a few R2S Dumbells, Halco Haymakers, Heru Cuberas, or Jai Bigheads.
The above lures are from established makers with a reputation to uphold, and are much better budget poppers than a lot of the cheap copies.

I guess I am trying to say, beware.....

Ken
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Mark Harris on March 21, 2011, 11:33:16 AM
I would fully agree with Ken there. Never seen one of these Maniac lures, but if they are that cheap, it is likely that the finishes are poor and the wiring will not hold up.
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Brandon Khoo on March 21, 2011, 11:50:18 AM
you could always buy those magnificent looking Luares lures that seem to be around the Tackleworld chain  :o
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Lee Margrave on March 21, 2011, 11:59:53 AM
you could always buy those magnificent looking Luares lures that seem to be around the Tackleworld chain  :o
Hi Brandon,  you lost me on that.......Lee
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 21, 2011, 12:08:52 PM
you could always buy those magnificent looking Luares lures that seem to be around the Tackleworld chain  :o
Hi Brandon,  you lost me on that.......Lee

Less than desirable copies in an Australian chain of tacklestores, Lee.

Will respond to you email today  ;)
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Lee Margrave on March 21, 2011, 12:17:28 PM
Like most things in life if it seems too good to be true it more than often is.  I remember a post that Brandon did not too long ago about some poppers that were failing badly and bore a strong resemblance to a good lure the Hammerhead.   Thanks to all......Lee
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Brandon Khoo on March 21, 2011, 01:42:01 PM
I have a pet hate about these because there was a Luares which was a direct copy of the River2Sea Dumbell - except it was literally  four times the size. The damn thing must have been over 400g! I was assured by one of the staff there that it was an awesome popper and that there were rods that could pop it, no worries but he couldn't remember the names of the rods  ::)

you could always buy those magnificent looking Luares lures that seem to be around the Tackleworld chain  :o
Hi Brandon,  you lost me on that.......Lee
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Chuen Fan on March 21, 2011, 03:35:03 PM
I have a pet hate about these because there was a Luares which was a direct copy of the River2Sea Dumbell - except it was literally  four times the size. The damn thing must have been over 400g! I was assured by one of the staff there that it was an awesome popper and that there were rods that could pop it, no worries but he couldn't remember the names of the rods  ::)

The rod was an Xzoga! How could he have forgotten that name? :o
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Mark Harris on March 21, 2011, 03:54:04 PM
Just have a good dig around looking at Maniac Poppers.  Hard to know where they are based.  Looking at the retail prices asked they are not even that cheap,  and more than I would pay for an equivalent, proven Hero or Adhek lure.
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Vasko Dimoski on March 21, 2011, 07:36:26 PM
I had recently seen some Maniac lures on the internet.   I was wondering if any one on the forum has any hands on experience with these lures and can rate their performance and quality.  They look great. But would like to know that they hold up and perform well before buying any...... Thanks all.........Lee
Hello lee i have used this brand of popper before not the same one you have pictured my personal thoughts on this brand are  wire and popper build and finish was just as good as heru poppers also had no problem with them floating i used them land based of the rocks and bashed them on rocks a fare bit the wood i thought was just as hard if anything a bit better then the heru poppers worked well for me best way to find out is to buy one and try it out for your self :)
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Graham Scott on March 22, 2011, 06:35:12 PM
Hi Brandon,
I found your favourite lure, beside a R2S 200 that has seen a bit of action...and a popper I did get from a homewares store.
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Travis Heaps on March 22, 2011, 07:29:33 PM
Graham - wtf sort of Homewares is that thing??  ;D  Have you ever had a go at casting that monster?
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Brandon Khoo on March 22, 2011, 07:53:40 PM
Graham - you didn't pay for that, I hope!!   ;D
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Mark Harris on March 22, 2011, 08:43:06 PM
Oh Lord save us!  That is truly scary!
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Graham Scott on March 22, 2011, 09:39:19 PM
I have seen someone have go at casting that luares went about 30m. The retrieve looked like a drowning duck.
I got the big guy as a 50th birthday present. Have seen similar things in some of those import stores full of useless stuff.

Have thought of tying the big guy to a rig and putting it up in the rod holder when taking newbies GT fishing. Although they normally get a big enough shock from a big ebipop.
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Brandon Khoo on March 23, 2011, 07:50:26 AM
Graham, what you should do with a newbie is pass them a rod rigged up with that beast on it. Keep a straight face and see what the reaction is like!
Title: Re: Maniac lures
Post by: Graham Scott on March 23, 2011, 09:15:14 AM
Brandon,

How could I possibly keep a straight face????