Rapala, Storm, and what the heck

[Kevin/CO]

Ok we keep getting posts talking about these colors getting dropped and product changes. Most of them are "I heards" but prove to be true. My question beef is after looking at the ThunderStick and Original Rapala where's the difference? It seems to me that they are almost the exact same. And what about the ThunderCrank and the ShadRap? Is it just me or has Rapala not only changed some of the best baits on the market but completely cloned their line and just slapped a different name on the box?

[groovymoe]

O.K., here is my thoughts. I'm more than likely full of s#%t but I think that Rapala bought out their competition, then killed off some of the product line to make a lesser variety of baits available. This will enable the manufacturing process to operate at a leaner more efficient rate. I believe it will also mean that with less options available to fishermen they will eventually jack the price because there won't be the option of switching to another manufacturer. What I am curious to see is if more companies are eventually bought out by Normark. It will be a cold day in that one place before I use Rapala's anyhow because I can't get one to compete with my worm harnesses. Long live real bait!!!!
Groovymoe