Lure Retriever

[Dr G]

Do any of you use lure retrievers of some kind or another? I read about a product called "Ultimate Luresaver" which is basically titanium split rings that you use to replace the existing ones on the lure. According to the product description:
After removing your standard split rings and rigging the appropriate LureSavers the system is designed to break away when desired. When your lure becomes snagged you point your rod tip towards the snag, reel in all the slack, and thumb the spool, then turn your face away from the snag and pull steadily. At this point the LureSaver's titanium ring will open up and abandon the snagged hook, and release your lure.
That sounds pretty clever (though a bit pricey.) Has anyone used these or some other lure retriever that they would recommend? The idea of a lure retriever never occurred to me until I started looking at some of the more expensive lures like Lucky Craft. I would not like to avoid throwing into cover because I was afraid of losing a lure. So if these work they would certainly be worth the price.

[basstastic]

I have never used a lure retriever but i would look into how much pressure you have to put on the lure to get those rings to bend. My reasoning for this is that if your are finesse fishing with 6-8 pound line is that gonna snap befoe the rings bend and are the rings gonna bend and let the biggest fish you ever caught get away?

[Dr G]

Well, and again this is according to the promotional literature, you have to select the rings that match your line test otherwise, when you try and dislodge the lure, you'll snap your line before the ring lets go. But the rings themselves will not let go when you've hooked a fish since the rod, the line and the fish itself all provide give so there is never going to be enough force such that the titanium ring will release. But that's the literature and it really does seem like brilliant solution. What I'm wondering is whether or not anyone has actually used this product and whether or not they would recommend it.

[BassBandit]

I've used them last year. Do I think its worth the money? No.

In my case I had to replace the new one every 4th time disconnected. If kept using the worn one you will lose the fish. Guarantee.

[BassinNC]

I have a bill dance retreaver with a 30ft rop. I have saved atleast 25 plugs over the past few years. It was 15 dollars and that is what one lucky craft cost. I would say keep it simple and go with what works.

Just my 2 cents.

[Rebbasser]

Make one-or several. Get some big snaps and some 3/4-1 oz bell sinkers. Clip the bottom part of the snap to the loop on the sinker. When you get snagged clip one on your line and drop it down. Shake it a few times and if one doesn't do it clip on and drop a second. They do not cost much to make and will get your lure back at least 95% of the time.

[egolfer]

I was never into lure-retrieving until I fishing with someone who used a Hound-Dog. I watched how well it worked so I had to get one. The 10$ cost has saved a ton of my cranks, jerks, and blade baits. It has allowed me to pull some baits of 15'+ water too. It is not so great with jigs since the retriever performs best when it grabs the hooks on the bait to get it up. Sometimes the hooks get bent, but those can easily be replaced.

[doc]

I use one of the telescopic pole retrievers, works great, has paid for itself and even made money. I have been lucky enough to retrieve lures in my home lake (which is pretty clear) that others have lost

[nofearengineer]

After reading this thread, I am also thinking about buying one of those Rare-Earth Neodymium magnets, and attaching it to a telescoping pole. I have lost several lures due to breakoffs in relatively shallow water that I could not see due to the muddy water. I think it would have paid for itself by now.

[MallenManson]

I saw those ultimate lure savers as well. Looked like a great idea initially. But then I remembered how I buy pretty much all my tackle on sale. Couple that with the fact that the lure savers are expensive, and it became not such a good deal for me.
For me, it'd be better to get a lure retrieval tool that you can use over and over again.
Since I started boating last year, lost lures hasn't been much of a problem though. I fish a ton of skinny water, so I just go over and get it.

[doc]

I've seen those also, what happens when you hook into that 10lber finally and your split rings pull off :0

[everettvet]

I haven't looked at the cost of the split rings but I would think that by the time you bought them and good replacement hooks you would have $3-5 into it. Not real cost effective for most of the cranks I use. I have used Bama's method of getting lures back with good success. However, while fishing last year I saw a maker buoy that someone left. I fished the area for about an hour and no one came back for it. So, I went to get it. The weight was hung up a little and it came loose after a minute or two of messing with it. It had a 2 ounce weight attached to the rope where they dropped the extra weight down trying to get it loose. Works great for cranks but not for a buoy.