Most Ingenious Lure Modifications

[Pettis]

Not exactly a lure mod... but I put a speed clip on a 2 or 3 oz swiveled sinker= cheap crankbait retriever. Only on one occasion has this not been successful in retrieving my bait. No telling how much $$ it has saved me over the last year.

[ClackerBuzz]

here's a better rig for wacky senkos. they won't come off the hook like rubber bands do (I like the 3/8" ID for 6"; haven't found the perfect 5" yet but i'm sure heat shrink has a good diameter; I like the electrical tape idea).  also a 1/8-1/4" section of clear drinking straw works perfect for smaller diameter worms like Zoom finesse. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/142538-the-secret-to-not-losing-so-many-senkos-heres-the-solution/

 

here's a great way to make any jig weedless (I prefer 2 wire guard pieces. 30 or 60lb Malin hard wire leader is great stuff). the vid also shows that you don't need to pour lead in order to make ur own jig heads. I live in an apt and don't have the option to pour jigs. flick/shake heads cost a small fortune so I make them like this using a Do It 785 wacky hook and 1/16 oz round split shot w/ wire guard. http://www.basspro.com/Malin-HardWire-Stainless-Steel-Leader/product/8581/

 

I use the same fly tying/thread method to attach a bait keeper to the hook shaft of my chatterbaits. only I use a small paper clip bent forward

 

 

this guy has alot of great vids. much cheaper way to make weedless wacky hooks:

 

I'm a big fan of screw locks b/c they save you a ton of money on soft plastics.  the off set bend on EWG hooks just tears the heck out of plastics whereas the screw lock holds them in place during a fight.  i also like 60 deg hooks b/c they come over rocks and they are super cheap to buy for jig molds compared to individual $1.25 Gammy hooks. you can make a weedless hook for .20c.

i tied on a rattle and wedge of lead to get this one to get it down faster and give it some noise. it's a great way to make hooks weedless w/o having to add a guard. they pull thru weeds well compared to guards.

 

punch hooks cost a lot and you have the problem of them tearing up soft plastics but the worst part is the plastic slides down the hook and needs to be adjusted every other cast. you can buy extra stout Mustad hooks for .20c and just add the screw lock/hitching post and ur beaver will never slip again.

http://www.***.com/Do-it_Hitching_Post_25pk/descpage-DOITHPS.html

 

Edited December 19, 2014 by ClackerBuzz

[Sam]

Change out treble hooks for one size larger on crankbaits.

 

Paint an orange dot or stripe on the bottom of crankbaits.

 

Drilled a hole and removed the BBs from one of my topwater presentations.

 

Added extra fake eyes to the bottom of a frog.

 

Cut a buzzbait in half and then reconnected the ends with a small chain.

 

Put a piece of an Alaka Seltzer in a tube to give it bubbles.

 

Soaked a  cotton ball in a scent and stuffed the cotton ball in a tube.

 

Use special spawning scent on swimbaits which was supposed to get the  bass all sexed up for spawning.

 

Added a 1/16 ounce bullet weight to a plastics presentation so it would fall faster.

 

Put a small metal prop in front of a plastic worm.

 

Some of the above did fine and others failed.

 

But you got to think out of the box and take a whack at it.

[J Francho]

Can you elaborate on the source of the spawning scent?

[scaleface]

My latest I havent used yet. Cabin fever I start playing around . I replaced the blade from a spinnerbait with a texas rigged grub . It should work.

[Pawalegal]

My second post so be gentle.

 

I like to give some of my soft baits "whiskers". My whisker material is usually rubber bands of various colors. I poke a hole in the side of the bait, and pull the uncut rubber band through the bait body with a paper clip hook gizmo. By not cutting the rubber band, it gives the bait more of a swimming motion. I can buy a bag of rubber bands at a box store for about $2.00 for a bag of a 100+, in various colors. (tan, red, white, blue, green, yellow) They catch fish.

 

Also, I have used rubber bands on some spinner bait bodies I have when the factory stuff wore out. Add a little silver mylar as trimmings, and they are ready to go. I cut these bands to give the bait a more lively look. I use smallish "O" rings for collars.  

 

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[Brayberry]

In slightly stained water, I'll take a Zoom Super Fluke, and push a glass rattle in the front of the bait perpendicularly.   The rattle looks like eyeballs, gives the bait some noise, and adds a little weight to the bait.

[scaleface]

My second post so be gentle.

 

I like to give some of my soft baits "whiskers". My whisker material is usually rubber bands of various colors. I poke a hole in the side of the bait, and pull the uncut rubber band through the bait body with a paper clip hook gizmo. By not cutting the rubber band, it gives the bait more of a swimming motion. I can buy a bag of rubber bands at a box store for about $2.00 for a bag of a 100+, in various colors. (tan, red, white, blue, green, yellow) They catch fish.

 

Also, I have used rubber bands on some spinner bait bodies I have when the factory stuff wore out. Add a little silver mylar as trimmings, and they are ready to go. I cut these bands to give the bait a more lively look. I use smallish "O" rings for collars.  

 

 

I do the same thing with skirt material. This is a good quantity and quality bait.

 

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