Most fishing lures work great right out of the package. Tackle companies have a team of professionals who design and test their lures. However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for improvement or specialization for specific applications. Over the next few weeks, we are going to release articles with information on how to modify some of the most popular types of fishing lures. Here are the topics that will be covered:
- Introduction
- Spinnerbait Hacks
- Crankbait Hacks
- Jerkbait Hacks
- Jig Hacks
- Topwater Hacks
Before getting started with any of the topics above, read through some general advice on modifying fishing lures.
Start Cheap
Do not start off by making modifications to your favorite or most expensive lures. There will be a bit of a learning process as you figure out how your modifications change the lure. Instead, start by modifying old or broken lures. Bend old spinnerbaits back into shape, replace hooks and touch up paint on old lures to use as learning tools. If you don’t have any old lures lying around, then visit a dollar store, thrift shop or garage sale. These are all good sources for inexpensive fishing lures that you won’t be afraid to ruin.
Make Small Changes
Always make small changes to your lures. Don’t make large changes, or several at a time, until you have had a chance to test them out. You might end up trimming something down beyond the ideal amount, or doing something else that you can’t reverse. Also, it can be difficult to determine which modification caused the desired result if too many things were done at once.
Test After Every Modification
The most important thing to do when modifying fishing lures is to test them often. If you are doing the hacks at home, then use a fishing tank or pool to check the action often. Sometimes even a small change will have a large affect, and you might miss it if you aren’t testing often.
