Testing and tuning inherited lures questions?

[kllrbee]

Hey all,

I recently inherited about 75 crankbaits, plugs, and topwaters from my uncle.  There is a little bit of everything.  Rapalas, rebels, heddons, poes, bombers, deep divers, shallow divers, floaters, poppers, big ones, small ones, some very old and worn, others brand new, all in different colors.

Few questions...

1.  They were given to me in a garbage bag, so how would you guys go about "sorting and categorizing" them?  Im a slave for having things in the right place when I need them, so I dont want to just chuck them in my box with no rhyme or reason.  Sort by types?  colors?  brands?

2.  How would you guys go about testing them?  I was going to head over to the small clear water retention pond and tie on a snap/swivel for quick changes and just toss them out and retrieve a few times at different rates to get the feel of each one.  Sound like a good plan?

3.  Along with the testing, Im sure many of them will need to be tuned.  Can anyone give a quick explanation of the proper tuning method or a link that explains it?

Thanks alot guys.   ;D

[roadwarrior]

Sort them by function: Topwater, jerkbait, lipless, shallow

divers and deep divers. Throw away the junk, you will never

use it. Don't give it away, throw it away. It's no "favor" to

pass junk on to guys that don't know the difference.

Test the lures in clear water. If needed, adjust them as best

you can.

Inspect them closely, many will need new split rings and

hooks.

8-)

[Marty]

Tuning is done by bending, not twisting, the line tie. If the bait is running to the left, bend the line tie to the right and vice versa. Just a little bend is needed, not a lot. You can do the tuning with a needle nose pliers, but this inexpensive tool from Bass Pro Shops is better.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_52284____SearchResults

[5bass]

[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] five.bass.limit.

[kllrbee]

Sort them by function: Topwater, jerkbait, lipless, shallow

divers and deep divers. Throw away the junk, you will never

use it. Don't give it away, throw it away. It's no "favor" to

pass junk on to guys that don't know the difference.

Okay, thanks for the reply. 

But, dumb question, what makes a certain lure junk?  wont track right?  rusted?  paint chipped? 

I have heard that some of the most beat up crankbaits are the ones that catch the most fish. 

Not trying to start an argument here, I just really dont know what would make it something to toss.

Thanks

[BobP]

Every bass nut has a bunch of crankbaits.  Some of them work great and catch a ton of fish.  Some are OK but not great.  Some are dogs that will never hunt.  The problem is that if you gave these baits to another bass nut, his judgment would be different.  The dogs would probably still be the dogs, but the others would be sorted differently.  Not sure what your interest is.  If you want to sell them, get advice from a knowledgeable fisherman or collector.  If you want to fish them, get them wet and see what the bass think.  Afraid you have a $50,000 lure in there and don't want to get screwed?  Don't worry.... you don't.   

[kllrbee]

Haha!!   ;D

Thanks Bob.

By no means am I looking to sell or find some kind of antique collectable.  I want to fish them.  I guess Ill just toss them out there and see what works for me and what I like to use.

Thanks guys.