Maraks lures

Has anyone used these? Why are they so cheap, are lower quality ingredients used?

Havent heard that name in yrs. Darrell marak used to sell out of Iowa I believe. Im not even sure if he is still kicking. Anybody else know?

Steve, remember Ludy Sheda and Maraks lures we’re always sold together.
Marak lures are good ....like beaver castor lures.

Yes Mike,thanks for the memory jog....correct you are!

Agree with Mike. Bruce Rhodes carries Maraks lures now.

I didn't see Marak at the NTA this year, but it was big and I could have missed him. Saw him within the last few years though, just can't remember where! I believe he is still vertical, haven't heard otherwise!

Ludy Sheda and Maraks was hand in hand for many years. I never used his lures but have smelled a few over the years. My opinion from those test smells was they would get the job done if you were on the animals.

I will never forget old Ludy. Always was trying to sell me a fur coat or two. He would come to my booth and take what he wanted and leave a fur coat behind when I was out and about seeing the other vendors displays. My relief worker at the booth didn't know what to say. LOL

Had to chase him down to get my goods back. What a character. I miss old Ludy.

yup,fur coat Ludy!!! I wonder if he was related to liberace

They are good lures. They are more simple recipes so the cost is lower but they are proven. I have caught a ton of fur with them. Darrell and Caroline are great people. They sold the business to backwater baits and as was said above Bruce makes them now.

https://www.backwaterenterprises.com/store/c7/Marak_of_Iowa%27s_Quality_Lures.html

The price on them went up substantionaly, used be very cheap an still cheaper than lot brands , I heard bought mass quantys lure ingredients years back, I used like price an good quality , not into canine foothold trap nomore but like marks water lures, most lures are good, some maybe better them , others not as good as smell to me an maraks smell better me, his beaver castor lure is top notch, didn't have any avail last time, I like 4 of his coon lures are my favorites

Yes Bruce at Backwater Baits is handling Marak Lures now. Lotta guys don't use rat lure, or are very partial to their favorites. Mine are #2 in the fall/early winter, then #4 open water after the ice is out.
You guys mentioned Ludy, I can remember him at the nationals just grab a handful of items from his booth, and he'd auction them off to whoever was the highest bid standing there.

Believe he retired and sold his lure business.

I now make Darrells lures and he sticks his nose in them to make sure I've got it right.
He was at the NTA for a little while but couldn't sit in the booth he needed to get home. He recently fell and broke a foot so last I knew was laid up for a while. I need to call him and see how hes doing.
Darrell at one time was probably one of the most significant wholesalers of fox urine in the nation. He came up with Ludy during the fur boom.
Right now I'm not offering his beaver lures for sale. I just can't duplicate Darrels situation that kept his prices low. He was great at setting up deals with country fur buyers swapping quantities of lure and bait for thier glands and castor. There aren't many country buyers now and they sure aren't swapping thier castor for lure.
Any of you that know Darrell or knew Ludy give Darrell a call. He loves to talk about the old days. If you get the chance your his museum.
Old Ludy Sheda. I called him old buy sell or trade. Such a character.

You had to watch Ludy, he would auction your shoes right out from under you! lol. Thanks for the update, Bruce!

I visited with Darrell and Caroline for awhile at NTA in Spencer, Iowa. He was in good spirits but was needing to get home he said. Always caught fur using his lures.

Ludy was a riot to watch from afar. You didn’t want to hang around his booth long, he could smell if you had money left in your pocket! Never knew when he was going to go to auctioneering right on the spot.

Iowa inducted Darrell and Caroline into the hall of fame a few years ago. They are trapping history and it was well deserved.

Well said, Bruce. They are great people.

Darrell and Caroline came to the Mo Convention for years. Everyone with the MTA think the world of the Marak’s.
I got a card and a donation to our association from them this week. Wonderful people.
I’ve got to get up there and see their museum. Hemseth says it’s a must see.
Always liked their rat lures.