Fishing Tip 1: Learn How Fishing Lures Are Made

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What are Fishing Lures

Fishing lures are devices tied to the end of fishing lines, used to attract fish and encourage them to bite the hook. When a fish attacks the lure, it can become hooked on one of several hooks that may be attached to the lure. A lure is most commonly used with a fishing rod, often equipped with a reel, and may be used with or without bait on the hook.The reel enables a fisherman to cast out the hook and lure to some distance and then retrieve it by reeling in the lure (sometimes at different speeds to simulate a certain action from the lure). The result is that the lure swims as it is pulled back with the reel, often producing a shaking or popping motion due to the turbulent effect of the water passing around it. Certain lures include a reflective surface that also helps attract fish and simulates the surface of certain smaller prey fishes. Together, the appearance and motion of a lure trick a fish into biting on the hook. There are different lures corresponding to the types of prey fish eaten by the various species of game fish.

How are fishing lures made?

For ideas on what kind of lure to make, it helps to consult an experienced angler on what kinds of lures work best in catching certain types of fish. One can take ideas from the variety of sizes, shapes, and colors of plugs available at local hardware stores or online.The simplest lures consist of a solid piece of wood painted to resemble a fish. The most common woods used in lures are balsa, birch and basswood, but many commonly available woods will suffice. Red and white cedar are especially well-suited for lures, as both types can be easily carved, and cedar’s natural water-resistance makes it easy to apply a watertight finish. A plug can be shaped most quickly by an electric wood-turning or metal-turning lathe, but a hand woodworking kit including rasps can offer a variety of options for wood shaping. For softer woods, a few sharp knives and several grades of sandpaper will suffice. A wood sealant, when applied before the paint, will provide a good seal to keep the wood dry.The first step in making a plug is making a small block of approximately the size and shape of the finished lure. A large block or round log of wood can be obtained at a lumber yard or hardware store and sawed into small blocks. For most lures, a block about 6 inches long and 4 inches square will suffice.

How to Make a Fishing Lure Using a Lathe

To create a plug using a lathe, the block should be measured and marked to delineate the form of the finished plug, which should then be mounted between the centers. The wood is then shaped using wood-turning tools, according to the diameter, shape and taper of the plug’s design. The plug is then sanded, using several grades of sandpaper, starting with a rougher grade and progressing to the finest one, to ensure that the sealant will apply properly. The finished plug is then cut off from the rest of the block.

How to Make a Fishing Lure By Hand

To make a plug by hand, a wood block can be cut to roughly the desired diameter of the finished plug or just a little larger. Then the block can be placed in a vise, and a rasp can be used to carve and round off the corners. A wood file can then be applied to finish shaping the plug, after which it can be sanded.

Once the block has been shaped, holes should be made for the eyelet, which is used to attach the lure to the fishing line, and hook attachments. These can be produced by screwing in the various attachments. Before painting, wood sealant needs to be applied around the entire plug, and care should be taken to remove the attachments in order to apply the sealant inside the holes as well. After the sealant dries thoroughly, the plug is ready to be painted.

A variety of designs can be found for painting the lure. Various household items can also be used. For instance, a women’s nylon stocking can be used to apply a mottled pattern using an airbrush.

More Fishing Tips and How To’s

Learn how to set up a fishing pole
Learn how to build a fishing pier
Learn how to string a fishing reel
Learn how to make a fishing net
Learn how to build a fishing rod holder
Learn how to tie fishing knots

Resource by E.Trio

I am an online writer and soon to be published author. I grew up in Southern California, but I currently live in the Bay Area while I work on my books. I enjoy camping and hiking with my dog Max or just relaxing on the back porch while I write. Stay tuned for my first children’s book to be released about Max.

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