Pre-Rapala Wiggle Warts ?s

[rebeav]

I have no experience at all with these lures. I noticed they were in fair demand. I have a friend that ended up with 13 of them. I am going to change the hooks on them and clean them up. I'm guessing #6 hooks?? What would be a fair price say if I want to make an offer to keep them?? Why and where are these particular models the most effective? Thanks"Thank You":
1. texlwedge    

[Pro Reel]

If they have the words ( wiggle wart ) stamped on the bottom of the bill, then they are true , pre rapala baits. Storm made these baits out of a 2 part mold that included the bill. They assembled them from 2 sides, the joint runs from tip of bill to rear of bait, down the center. I had several of these when I was a teen, I knew they worked great, but didn't know why. I recently found out that the older ones are in demand with the red craw bringing 15 to 20 bucks on ebay. The reason? It seems that the per rep baits had an unusual action. They tracked true, with an erratic action. that means that they would track true for a ft or two and then veer to one side or the other, the back. Unlike an untrue bait that runs constantly to one side or the other, this bait moves in an erratic path of zigs and zags. Several of the old pros still swear by them and have boxes full tucked away for spring and fall crank pattern. When Rapala bought Storm, they tested the wiggle wart and discovered that storms design didn't run perfectly straight. They knew it was a good selling bait, so they wanted to keep it, but decided they needed to "fix" the action. So the engineers designed a new mold that made the bait and bill separate and then put them together later. It still looked like a wart, but lost the enticing action. They called that a success as it now ran a true straight line. Sales fell as the bait no longer worked any better than any other bait. Recently, the mistake was acknowledged and they built new molds that were copies of the first. They re introduced the bait and it is now called "the original wiggle wart" they even have box's very similar to the first blue label box's, but you can tell the difference by the fact that the new one has the word "original" on it/ The true originals didn't need to be called original, because they were. Now for the kicker, Rapala says that the old action is back, and from what i hear , it is somewhat, but they are using a different plastic and different rattles and still using modern techniques that don't quite mimic the pre rap baits. One common statement is that the plastic is denser and has a different sound. If you watch E-Bay you will see that many pre rap baits will sell for 3 to 5 bucks each plus shipping. I try to find lots to save on shipping or dealers that have a bunch and will combine shipping. I just bought 6 various pre raps last week for $24.00 which includes the ship cost. I think that was a good deal at 4 bucks a bait. Most single baits will vary from 4 at the lowest to an average price of 8 to 10 and a high price of 15. Collectors seek the very first made that had a red label box and the next was a blue label box, but they don't say original on them, just "storm wiggle wart"

[rebeav]

That is very interesting and apparently you have had success on them or know someone who has.  Ebay is where I noticed them first then I noticed a very short thread started then deleted on another forum (oddball one). 

These are definitely THE originals. His wife purchased them (along with loads of other stuff) at a garage sale a guy had that apparently given up on tournament fishing. The spring craw is one of the colors along with colors ranging from a chrome n black to fluorescent yellow n orange looking one.  So I'm thinking 100 hundreds bucks would be fair enough?  What about hook replacement? I am at work and will be passing by Gander on my way home or I would have already replaced them. 

[Pro Reel]

I'm not sure what size they are, I would just take one and match it up. I have to get caught up on reels before I go through mine and change hooks, but I need to do that.

[Oldfart9999]

When you replace the hooks go with a premium hook, like a Mustad Triple Grip, it is $$ well spent.
Rodney

[ace45102]

It sure seems the original ones work better, I haven't had a real wiggle wart in my box in 2 years.  I did however just purchase some of the Mag Warts from Rapala, I don't know if they will have the same action but I sure do miss them.

[OCBassman]

Yea the pre rapala Wiggle Warts are great baits.  They just plain catch fish and Smallmouths will just crush them. Kevin 4 bucks a bait for true Warts is an awsome price. Ive seen some of the clear green craw go for 20 to 30 bucks a piece. I even bid on a couple. I have one of these that my father gave me and got a couple off ebay for a good price. Although I was up at 3am to get them at those prices.

[ace45102]

With ebays MAX bid no reason to stay up anymore.  Thats why there are less deals on ebay now a days too.