The fishing lure is a method of using artificial fishing bait to attract fish. These lures can be of different sizes, shapes, and colors. It is the best alternative to live bait.
A single lure doesn’t need to work effectively for all types of fish. They are effective in both freshwater and seawater. Hence, there are a large variety of lures available in the market.
Lures are less messy than live bait and can be cast further. These are the best option for catch-and-release fishing as the fish do not gulp the entire hook. These are interchangeable, so if you feel one type is not effective you can change to another.
In this article, we will understand how to make fishing lures.
8 Steps On How To Make Fishing Lures From Wood
So here is your step-by-step guide to making a fishing lure from wood.
1. Types Of Equipment Needed
- A sharp knife
- Sandpaper- fine and coarse
- Cutting board
- A straight wooden stick (preferably of a softer wood)
- Acrylic paint
- Sealant
- Treble hooks (1/0 or 2/0)
- Small eye hooks (steel)
2. Finding The Perfect Stick
Choose a stick of pine or other softwood. It is easier to carve softwood and give it a desirable shape. A curved stick will affect the lure movement in water so opt for a straight piece.
3. Getting the Desirable Size
How big your lure should depend on the species of fish you will be catching. If we have to catch bass, the lure needs to be around 4 inches. Find the straightest part of your stick, mark it, and cut the section.
Once your section is ready, carefully remove the bark. Remember to cut away from yourself as this way you will not be cutting yourself accidentally. Give your wooden piece the shape of a cone.
4. Sanding
To get rid of all the cut marks, smooth your wooden piece with sandpaper. First, we start with coarse sandpaper and then switch to fine ones.
Sand down both the ends and the main body of your fishing lure.
5. Attaching Eye Hooks And Fishing Hooks
Choose an appropriate fishing hook as per the fish you plan to catch. Attach this fishing hook to the eye hook. Leave one eye hook to screw at the front for attaching the line.
6. Screwing The Hooks
You need to attach two eye hooks to your fishing lure, one at the nose of the fishing lure and another at the bottom. As we are using softwood, hence we can easily attach the hooks.
If you are having trouble with it, use a nail and hammer to make a small hole for the hook. For proper balance, do ensure that hooks are lined properly.
7. Final Touches
You will be using your fishing lures in all sorts of waters hence, you need to protect them from water damage. Apply three coats of sealant and wait till the wooden lure is completely dry.
Now is the time to be creative and to take out your inner painter. You can paint your fish lure any way you want. You can also imitate the local bait species. Let your paint dry and, then add one or two more coats of sealants.
8. Testing
Once your lure dries completely, it is ready to be tested. Fill your sink with water and check how the wooden lure floats.
4 Steps On How To Make Fishing Lures From Spoon
You can easily make a fishing lure from the spoon by following these simple steps
1. Things You Need
Any teaspoon or tablespoon, hammer, saw, vise, center punch, drill, bits, treble hook, two small pieces of wood, metal file, toothpaste, medium grit emery cloth, needle nose pliers, swivel, and, split rings.
2. Cut The Spoon
We start by putting a spoon between two small pieces of wood in the vise. Ensure that the broad end of the spoon is out and the handle is in the vise. The wood will prevent the spoon from getting scratched.
With a saw, cut a notch in the spoon. Now move the spoon so that the broad part is in vice and the handle is out. The notch should be visible. Move the handle till it comes off.
3. Drill And File
Mark the position of holes with the help of a center punch. Drill the two holes and, with the emery cloth, smooth down the rough edges.
4. Polish And Ring It
First, use a household cleaner to polish the spoon, and then do it with toothpaste. With the help of needle pliers, attach a split ring, swivel, and hook. Your spoon fishing lure is all set to go.
4 Steps On How To Make Fishing Lures From Bottle Caps
Another easy and popular method of making a fishing lure is by using bottle caps.
1. Requirements
- One metal bottle cap
- One small treble hook
- One small hook ring,
- Two eyes
- One barrel spinner,
- Multitool
- Sharpie
You also need a brightly colored bottle cap to attract fish easily. The more flashy is your cap, the more attractive will be your fishing lure.
2. Bend It
Draw a line inside the cap such that it divides it into two halves. With the help of pliers, bend it in half. Do not flatten the bottle cap and let it be half-open to resemble a minnow.
3. Hole And Hook It
Use your multitool to make two holes at each pointed end. Do it in a twisting motion and slowly make your way through the metal. The hole should not be big as it may tear the metal.
Now is the time to attach the hook, spinner, and eyes. Attach the hook through the hook ring and then attach the lure to the spinner with the clasp.
A spinner is optional, but it goes a long way in preventing your line from breaking. These lure spiral in the water and may twist your fishing line, increasing the chance of breaking it. A spinner diminishes the spinning effect and keeps your line straight.
4. All Set
Use superglue to paste the eyes on the lure. With this final step, your homemade bottle cap fishing lure is all set for going in the water.
This bottle cap lure will float in water and will attract fish towards it. If you want to change it into a sinking lure put some weight on it by using hot glue, clay, or small lead weights.
The Pros Of Fishing With Lures
Fishing lures are a one-time investment and can be put to use again and again. Unlike live baits, they are neither dirty nor smelly.
They also reduce many species from being overharvested to be used as fish bait. By lure, you can ensure a better survival rate for fish as it reduces the chances of deep hooking.
Fishing lures are ideal for catch and release as they do not tear the fish and let anglers release them with minimum damage.
Moreover, they give you a chance to let out your creativity and experiment with varieties of homemade and manufactured fishing lures.
The lure works best when the water is clear and the weather is warmer. There are fishing areas where you will find signs like artificial only or fly and lure only. With your set of lures, you can easily fish in these areas as they prohibit live bait.
If you are an adventurer and do fishing as a catch and release, lures are your safe bet. Lures also work best when the water body has undersized or nontarget fishes present.
Is Making Fishing Lures Profitable?
Fishing on a budget is not that difficult if you start opting for Do It Yourself techniques and start making fishing lures.
Instead of spending a vast amount on an expensively manufactured fishing lure, making your lure will give you a monetary advantage.
Not only will you save money once, but every fishing season. You only need to reinvent and redesign your homemade fishing lures.
What Is The Best Wood To Make Fishing Lures?
One of the most popular woods for making fishing lures is basswood. It is creamy white and can be crafted easily with hand tools.
Apart from basswood, we can use a vast array of other timbers like – cedar, baltic pine, jelutong, beech, and even balsa. You can choose any wind that is lightweight, strong, and impervious to dents.
How To Make Your Fishing Lure Last?
After successfully using your fishing lure, do not just throw them in the box, dry them and keep them safe. Have a small box to keep baits as per their size instead of throwing all lures in one big box.
Never put wet baits in the box, leave them out in the air till they dry, or use a cavity tackle box. For storing your fishing lures, use a box with rust inhibitors.
Conclusion
To make your fishing lure is not space science. With a few supplies and craftsmanship, you can make your fishing lure. You can use innumerable things as raw materials like- plastic, cork, rubber, metal, feathers, or wood.
Handmade lures are cost-effective and, once you know how to make them, you can easily refill them. So, happy fishing, and best of luck with your new hobby.