Poppers have a depression in the front that looks like an open mouth. Water resistance causes a popping sound when it is jerked across the surface, which makes the lure to resemble struggling bait. Stick baits, also known as torpedo lures, are cigar-shaped and lightly weighted at the rear. When you jerk the lure forward, it resembles a wounded catfish. Propeller baits look similar to stick bait but have 1 or more bladed propellers on the end. When the lure is pulled in a jerking motion, the splash and vibration from the propellers attracts fish. Splutterbaits have metal plates on the front or sides to create resistance and sway.
Plugs are solid, rounded lures that usually include a lip enabling them to sink. Some varieties have an internal rattle to attract crankbait, which are fish that eat smaller fish. Thin minnows are long, narrow lures that resemble minnows. They have a small diving lip on the front to make them dart around like minnows when retrieved. Curved minnows have no lip. Instead, they have curved bodies with a flat spot on the front that causes them to wobble from side to side. Deep-divers or sinking lures have long lips that enable them to sink when they aren’t being retrieved. They are often shaped like minnows but are used fish in deep water.
You could also examine store-bought lures or pictures of lures and try to replicate them. Most lures aren’t too complicated and can be made by following the same basic steps.
Having a variety of lure sizes helps a lot. That way, you can make adjustments according to your style and what you encounter on the water.
If you’re unfamiliar with making your own lures, you can’t go wrong by sticking to a safe choice like balsa or pine. The strength of the wood matters a lot. Factor in the kind of fish you’re trying to catch. If you’re catching something big and strong, pick a damage-resistant type of wood to match.
Home improvement stores and lumber retailers carry all sorts of wood. You may also be able to find some carving blocks at craft supply stores. Most home improvement stores also carry all the other supplies needed to make a lure, although you can also order supplies online.
The outline is what you will follow when trimming the wood into shape. Make sure it is neat and accurate.
You won’t need all of this gear if you’re using a carving knife. Instead, switch to a pair of damage-resistant carving gloves or thumb guards. Put the dust mask back on while painting the lure to guard against fumes.
Try leaving an extra 1⁄8 in (0. 32 cm) of wood around the pattern so you don’t inadvertently make the lure too small. If you prefer using a carving knife, gradually whittle away the wood around the outline. Move the blade away from your body so you don’t inadvertently cut yourself.
You can etch patterns and designs into the wood if you wish. It isn’t necessary, but some people enjoy customizing their lures with fins, scales, and other details. To make the groove in a popper lure, try using a rotary tool like a Dremel. It wears away the excess wood, which can be easier than trying to cut the shape.
Double-check that the lure is at the proper size you need. You can sand it to remove any excess wood left over from your initial design. You could also use a tool like a belt sander to more quickly finish the lure. Keep in mind that finishing a small lure with a big belt sander is a little trickier than finishing it by hand, but it is doable.
When finishing a lure, always start with the lower-grit sandpaper first. Lower-grit sandpapers are coarser than higher-grit ones.
Refer to your template when positioning the pilot holes. They can vary depending on the type of lure you are making. Most lures have at least 2 hooks. Plan on putting one on the back end and another near the front. If your lure is long, consider making another hole ⅓ of the way from the back end for an additional hook. If you wish to add weight to the lure, such as for a sinking lure, drill additional holes as needed. Many times, you can drill about ⅓ of the way from the end and fill it with weight later.
If you don’t have a tack cloth, get a microfiber cloth instead. Lightly dampen it in lukewarm water before using it.
Put a hook into one of the pilot holes you drilled so you can dip the lure and hang it to dry. If dipping the lure isn’t an option, you could also paint it by hand. Wait for it to dry before flipping it over and finishing the other side. This sealer layer isn’t the same as the one you add after painting the lure. Apply both to better safeguard the lure against damage.
Select a white primer to create a good base to paint over. Other primer colors may be too dark for an effective lure. Keep in mind that some sealers also serve as a primer, so you won’t have to use a separate primer. If you’re uncertain, apply primer so that you can be sure the paint bonds to the wood.
You may wish to even out the initial coating by applying a second layer of primer. It isn’t necessary, but it’s a good way to correct inconsistencies.
Most people use an airbrush for a professional-looking finish. Using a brush or spray paint is fine, but it may take longer. For ideas about how to paint a lure, look at a fishing lure catalogue. Lures come in all sorts of styles, but the best ones tend to look bright but natural, like small fish or insects. The right color for your lure will partly depend on where you plan on fishing with it. For example, saltwater lures are usually bright colors to attract fish, while freshwater lures are muted colors so they don’t scare fish away. [20] X Expert Source Kathy Sparrow, MAFishing Instructor Expert Interview. 1 April 2020.
For example, you might keep the bottom half of the lure white and then paint the top half dark blue. Another option is to paint some darker stripes down a yellow lure.
You may need to do this several times before you’re done. Wait for each layer to dry before painting over it.
Polyurethane is another finisher you can use. Try getting a variety used on wood floors or automobiles.
You may need to wait an extra day before handling the lure, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation. Consider adding a second clear coat layer to ensure that water can’t damage the lure.
No matter what kind of lure you’re making, the screws should always be slightly wider than the pilot holes. This helps them stick in place. You can change the screw size according to your lure. If you’re making a big lure, you may wish to use bigger screws for additional strength.
Split rings are basically open coils. They are often used for keyrings, so look at your house keys for an example of how they work! You could also attach the hooks without using split rings by pulling open their eyelets with a pair of pliers. Be careful to avoid puncturing your fingers if you choose to do this. Although treble hooks are most commonly used on plugs and crankbaits, you could use double hooks instead. Most are designed to slip onto the screw eyes without using split rings.
There are many different types of items you can get to weight down the lure. You could buy a sinker weight from a fishing supply shop, for example, and place it inside the lure.
Angle the notch so the lip will point downward after you plug it in. This will cause the lure to sink when it’s in the water. For most lures, the lip is positioned underneath the ring used for the lead. You could also drill through the center of the lip and then add the ring to it.
