I see some great plugs and wannabees (but that is fine IMO). I would not worry about copycats Dave...your work more then speaks for itself. The fact that someone wants to emulate your work (or anyone elses really good ideas) should be a compliment. (You know as well as I do that there is A LOT more to it then a half assed copy the profile of a plug or a fancy paint job...they have to catch fish for they won't be around long.)
After the Howdy craze this summer we saw all kinds of wannabes....I could only imagine what Bernzy was feeling to see all these copied plugs appear....but I know which howdy I really wanted to fish. I used them, spoke regularly with him about the performance and I knew they really worked. After fishing that trolling pike I got from you last year, I knew exactly what I wanted to bulk-up on for next season. I knew I had a winner. Habs and tatoo's work is outstanding as well. The amazing quailty and craftsmenship you and they put into the plug magnifies our fishing pleasure many times over. Quality and innovative work will always be in demand.
Most of the copycats are just lookin for ideas for their own use. Half the time these plugs are don't swim right anyway because they haven't put the time element into them. Bending a lip doesn't always do it. I really don't know all the backstabbing that is going on in the plug making world but I do know that for one's plugs to be in demand....they have to work.
Most people that know me know I experiment a lot with fishing stuff. Some think I spend more time trying new stuff then actually fishing. But I ***LOVE*** the feeling when I found something new or unique that is killer. To me that is some of the sweetest moments in fishing. You know it too, when you have the right plug on the right night...there is nothing better. You can't wait to get that sucker in the water.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to fishing your plugs as soon as the water temp hits 45 deg. again
peace to all....
sm
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