A Rapala Max Rap $19.00 and a Mepps Magnum Musky Killer $ 14.99. In the same week.
However I was Fishing "Unknown Waters" in the St. Lawrence, Gananoque, Thousand Islands Area.
Sometimes Trolling DEEP Water also Casting, The Max Rap was an obvious Snag, there was a Lot of Structure down there, Old Trees we figured.
The Musky Killer was a "Fish On" with 25Lb Braid. I think he wrapped around something because after about ten minutes it came to a dead stop. After trying to free it for a while, I cut the Line myself. Not worth possibbly breaking a $180.00 Muskie Rod.
That same night I spent around $150/$175.00 Bucks taking 4 of my Relatives out for Dinner at the Gananoque Inn. I was also "Lodging" there for a week. $$$$'s..
I guess It's all relative.
A friend bought one of those "Lure Retrievers" (Pic Below) from Bass Pro. $10.99. First thing he did was to replace the Lousy 30' of line that's on there with 100' of Stronger Line.
It worked not to badly, broke a couple of hooks Yanking at it but 95% of the time, it got the Lure back.
Then the "Chain Attacment" on the front end started coming loose. He Pulled the "Fish" off and replaced it with a piece of 3/4" oak dowel, rounded off both ends and did an Eye Bolt all the way through with the "Pull Line" attached at the Back End. 2 coats of Urethane. DONE!
If your at all "Handy" you could probably make a better one from scratch in the first place. Which I might just do.
Rick