Making fishing lures may be easy for the seasoned do-it-yourself angler. But the maintenance of these lures is just as important to ensure a tip-top condition.
After buying or making the fishing lures there is still the responsibility of taking care of and repairing them so that they are always in good condition. This requires some effort and time but is usually easy for the angler who makes his own fishing lures.
Since he makes them and puts them together, he also knows how to take them apart and repair them. He also has the tools and fishing lure parts necessary for such work. All the tools required to assemble the parts and make the lures are explained on this page about hand tools.
Fishing lures in general do not require much care when storing them in a home or shop. The best idea is to put them into cabinet drawers or individual boxes so that they can be found easily and can be kept dry. In humid climates or near the seashore it is important not to expose the metal parts to the air; otherwise, hooks will rust and other metals will corrode.
Fishing lures that have feathers or hair should be kept in airtight containers so that moths and other insects or small animals will not get to them. This also applies to new fishing lures that haven't yet been used. Lures which have been used require considerable care if you want to get the maximum use from them. Freshwater fishing lures usually require less care and repair than saltwater ones.
In general, when examining any fishing lure you have made or bought it's a wise policy to repair it if you are the least bit doubtful about its condition. Repairing usually means sandpapering the part of the lure body that is slightly chipped and then touching up with a small brush, using enamels or lacquers.
Replace the hooks with new ones if they are badly rusted. When doing this it is important to use the same size and weight as the old ones so that the action of the fishing lure is not changed in any way. If the damage is too bad and the lure cannot be repaired, throw it away after salvaging any usable parts.
It doesn't pay to take chances with a fishing lure that is weak in any way. You may hook a record fish but lose it if the lure is not dependable. Many anglers who buy their fishing lures in tackle stores often use them until they fall apart, before buying new ones. But if you make your own fishing lures you can afford to use only those that are still in good condition.
It is better to be safe than sorry.
Keith Lee is a practical, do-it-yourself angler and owns Make-Your-Own-Fishing-Lures.com, an info-packed website on making fishing lures. Learn how to make fishing lures at Make Your Own Fishing Lures and use it as your trusted guide on home made fishing lures.
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your newsletter or on your website so long as you leave all active links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed here.
We can learn alot from kids.Last Friday, which incidently was St. Jean Baptiste Day in Quebec, was also the day we decided to have Grandpa's Pond day in Shady Cove, Oregon.Everything went off just as... Read More
When fly fishing for trout, it is of crucial importance to understand their senses. Trout are fish, after all, and make different use of their senses than we do. Understanding these senses can greatly increase... Read More
Hi Lee Palm/Red Rooster crew(San Diego - California).. Keep my rail spot cool for me - won't you? Fishing Report from Nassau Bahamas (8-10-2000)(Thursday)(Air Temperature 92 degrees. Water temp. ? mid 80's degrees). Clear skies,... Read More
I was laying down on the bow of the boat gazing at the brilliant stars on this moonless night. All of the rods were set out, staggered by depths and distance away from the boat.... Read More
-----SIDEBAR------------------------------------------Older fly fishing classics contain a wealth of knowledge for the beginner fly fisher as well as the experienced angler.The following is an excerpt from Practical Fly Fishing, by Larry St. John (1920)-----END SIDEBAR----------------------------------WADING A... Read More
First of all, we need to look at the word ... recreation. When I break it down, it comes out re-creation. What this means to me is a re-creating of myself; a way to... Read More
I started keeping a fishing calendar this past year. My thinking was that I would somehow get to fish more. I was applying the business proverb of "that which gets measured gets done". Apparently this... Read More
The ubiquitous Woolly Bugger, never quite spelled correctly to my eyes, appeals to the eyes of every gamefish imaginable. If I had one pattern to fish the rest of my life, no matter what the... Read More
The Garmin Fishfinder 250 is Garmin's latest addition to their family of marine chartplotters, handheld GPS, fish finders and GPS sounders and its already gaining a great reputation amongst the angling community.We met up with... Read More
Sometimes bass fishing in a big lake can be overwhelming. Do you fish deep? Fish the banks? Are they out in open water? What? This will depend on the lake, the time of year,... Read More
Fish is one of earth's natural wonders and has satisfied our palates since the beginning of man. Their flesh is light and delicate, lean and is packed with protein, the anti-oxidant vitamin E and omega-3... Read More
High fuel prices got you down?Imagine how most of us feel in the recreational fishing world.Let me explain.Here we are rounding into September, the time of year that all true "sport fishermen" look forward to.... Read More
Southeast Florida Swordfishing ? "Purple Fever"Once you have your tackle ready to go, let us describe a typical drift out in South Florida's Gulf Stream. We are basing this drift using 4 lines. Some of... Read More
Lake trout are a type of fish that are completely different then any other fish. Those that like to go lake trout fishing, know that they are difficult to catch. Unless you know just how... Read More
IntroductionMany of the people about to take one of my guided trips don't believe that Catfish feed as aggressively as other game fish. People are used to throwing out their bait and letting it set... Read More
Perhaps the most rewarding element of fly fishing is the variety of beautiful natural surroundings in which anglers often find themselves; a secluded stream up in the mountains, a peaceful meandering river deep in the... Read More
One of the most important steps in getting sponsored to fish tournaments (whether you fish for bass, walleye, crappie, musky, redfish, marlin, etc.) is to focus on what YOU CAN DO for your sponsor not... Read More
You knew it would come to this sooner or later....I was sitting in one of my favorite fishing haunts the other day, getting yet another report from a recent Alaskan fishing trip,when I overheard a... Read More
Whether it's the peaceful and serene beauty of being on the ocean, the excitement of a Sailfish or Dolphin erupting from the water, the brute strength of a Tuna or the drag-searing run of a... Read More
The term stream trout is actually a term used to encompass any of the stream trout. Brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout are all called stream trout because they like the running waters. But,... Read More
Have you ever thought why fishing timbers is so productive? Well, for one, most anglers don't want to fish them because they're afraid of losing a $5.00 lure. This makes it better for us that... Read More
Night fishing is becoming more and more popular recently, and for good reason.Not only do you get cooler temperatures, less competition and congestion for the best areas, but there are also many more opportunities for... Read More
One of the most important things to consider when fly fishing is choosing your tackle the right way. Many people overlook this important factor and start with the wrong assumptions. They first buy the rod,... Read More
I have to admit this subject bores me to tears. Amazingly, the simple fact is that every time I interviewed a fisherman about night fishing tips he mentioned preparation at the top of the list.As... Read More
Make Small Fortune In Fishing Industry.......now there is a headline you don't see very often. In fact, I have never seen it.Unless you start out with a large fortune and slowly pitter it away while... Read More
Experienced fishermen know all about the cutthroat trout. That is because it is a huge gaming fish and it is difficult to catch. Why, then do so many fisherman go cutthroat trout fishing? These fish... Read More
For the most part, I am an advocate for catch and release fishing.Sustaining the fish and habitat in the sport you love only makes sense.However, sometimes a freshly caught trout, bass, or crappie is just... Read More
The Best Type Of Line For Night FishingHere is a topic that is often debated between night fishermen. Depending on how you like to fish at night, here is what you should look for in... Read More
When fishing for bass in deep water try a spinnerbait that you have confidence in and have used to catch fish before. If the fish are inactive try a slow study retrieve. Spinnerbaits as you... Read More
Brook trout are one of the most popular game fish in Canada. These fish can be found in the northern most parts of North America. What is so great about these fish? Is there a... Read More
Take a kid fishing and they will learn to be successful in life. As an avid fisherman for over 30 years I have to look back on my life and consider it a success. I... Read More
In 2004, I fished more lily pads than ever before? Why? Well, because I caught fish in them. I probably caught over 100 fish in the lily pads this year alone. Two were over 5... Read More
When it comes to catch and release lakes, it is important for you to be ready to catch your fish, take a prize-winning shot and release your giant back into the water for others to... Read More
The Newfoundland cod stocks. What has happened to cod fishing off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland? Several centuries ago, John Cabot, sailing under the English flag, found the richest fishing area the world would come... Read More
Did you know that there are five species of Pacific salmon and one species of Atlantic salmon? Further, did you know that all 5 species of Pacific salmon run wild in Alaska?We're proud of our... Read More
Fishing Fishing |