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The Wrap to Get. Swimbait
Underground's Union 9" (continued)
 I
have also been impressed how durable the SU wraps are. Over the span of the
season I only had s single hook escape and that came from the oddly shaped Monka
FPJ crawler. When ,y backpack was fully loaded one hook was able to penetrate
through the wrap and hook itself and lodge itself into the inner lining of the
backpack and when I removed the wrap it proceeded to make an inch long tear
through the wrap. Since this occurred under one of the plastic compartments it
would have been hard to sew up the wrap so I opted for two pieces of Duck Tape
(branded duct tape), one on the inside and one on the outside. While the scar
repair wasn't pretty it did the trick, and I haven't had any issues with the
wraps since.
I only had one hook escape/tear in
an entire season of use. A little Duck Tape fixed right up
Price & Applications: The SU Union
Wraps retail for $59.99 each, which may seem like a lot, but when you consider
what you are getting for the money they are actually quite compelling. Some
competing multi-lure wraps like the Union are available for as low as $19.99 but
few offer the same level of flexibility, compact design, and protection as the
SU wrap. There are also some very good single bait wrap solutions out there, but
with most of them retailing around $9.99 it would take almost the same amount of
money to achieve the same capacity, and you would not have the same integrated
ease-of-use as a single Union Wrap.
There are three tactical looking
colors to select from
I'd also be willing to bet that most anglers that
know the Swimbait Underground brand would be willing to pony up the $60 dollars
simply to proudly sport the Swimbait Underground logo on their wrap, a brand
that is proudly associated with a passion for big baits and custom swimbaits.
The anglers that frequent the Underground are likely investing a lot of money in
their swimbait arsenal, and $59 dollars is a small price to pay to store and
transport some of their favorite swimbaits. It is very likely the price of a
single custom swimbait that is housed within these wraps retails for many times
the price of the Union.
Ratings: (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide)
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Swimbait Underground Union 9" Bait Wrap
Ratings
(?/10) |
| Construction/Quality |
Excellent build quality that holds up well
through extended use. I only had a single hook escape after months of use
and the repair was simple and easy. The overall quality of materials and
construction is top notch |
9 |
| Performance |
It really boils down to four things: Ease of
use, organization, protection, and speed of stow/deployment... and in all of
these areas the Swimbait Underground Wrap offered best in class performance |
9 |
| Price |
On the higher side of the price spectrum when
it comes to wraps, but we believe it is still a "good" price when you
consider the features and build quality. This wrap will deliver seasons of
quality use and is a small price to pay when you consider the expensive
custom arsenal that is likely stowed within |
7.5 |
| Features |
The SU Union Wrap isn't the fanciest wrap but
it prioritizes the right features including compact design, Velcro straps,
hybrid pockets, clear pockets, and a security flap to eliminate the chance
of baits falling out. The only thing that would have been great to see was
clear windows on the hybrid pockets for easy identification of contents but
as we have learned from SU these pockets are ideal for soft bodied swimbaits |
8.5 |
| Design
(Ergonomics) |
Quick and easy to use this wrap offers very
flexible storage options, and is able to accommodate odd-sized swimbaits
while still being able to fold down surprisingly small for easy transport |
9 |
| Application |
Great for both soft and hard bodied swimbaits
and does a great job protecting baits and eliminating dangerous hook
escapes. Really worried about the hooks? Using caps in the pockets is also
possible |
9 |
|
Total Score |
8.66 |
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus |
Minus |
|
+ Excellent
design that
is well
thought out
and clearly
designed by
a swimbait
angler |
- On the
more
expensive
side but
worth the
investment |
|
+ Provides
excellent
protection
for costly
baits |
- Outer
hybrid
pockets are
not clear
for easy
bait
identification |
|
+ Flexible
design that
provides
storage for
both soft
and hard
bodied
swimbaits |
|
|
+ Surprising
capacity and
ability to
fold compact |
|
|
+ Baits will
not fall out
with
security
flap design |
|
|
+ Brand that
is well
respected by
enthusiast
swimbait
anglers |
|
Conclusion: The team at Swimbait
Underground knows swimbaits well, they know their community, and their passion
for custom swimbaits is on full display in each branded product they produce.
Spend a day using one of
the SU Union Wraps and it is clear that they were designed by a true swimbait
angler, someone that knows how important it is to stow, protect, and deploy
these cherished baits.
The attention to detail in these wraps is
impressive, and I love the fact that they are built right here in the United
States. There are a lot of great JDM swimbaits, but much of what makes high-end
swimbaits so exciting is appreciating the handmade construction and artistry of
garage baits. Supporting these small businesses, and the artists that craft
these swimbaits in small lots, has always been a big part of their allure, and
knowing that these wraps similarly originate in the U.S. just seems right. There
are a lot of lure wrap options on the market today, but few are built with the
understanding of the enthusiast swimbait angler, or the attention to detail,
like the Swimbait Underground Union. In the crowded market of big bait storage
options, when it comes to wraps, this is the one to get.
Looking for the Swimbait Underground Union 9"
Wrap?
Try
Carolina Fishing Tackle
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