I'd pay the 2 or 3 dollars extra, but i'm not above throwing a bandit by no means. The bandit is actually one of my favs.
When it comes to striper, give me a cheap lookin little mac any day, but needless to say i've spent some money on the Rapala slivers as well.

What it all boils down to for me, if it catches fish, i'll use it even if it cost $1.