Building a new bass lure

[Mobasser]

Is it possible to build a totally new bass lure, without borrowing from past design? Looking at new bass lures, they have improved. Excellent quality hooks, more vibrant and realistic finishes etc. But in my opinion, all are based on lures designed 50, 75, and even 100 yrs ago. An example is the Whopper Plopper. WRB pointed out the name of the bait that it was derived from.(WRB, if you read this thread, maybe you can name that old lure, I've forgotton.) It's designed from a very old lure, almost identical. I think the basic shapes, actions, and sizes were developed a long time ago. New baits are improved versions of these. Are there any completely new designs? Personally, I don't think so. If you know of any new designs that don't rely on past innovation, let me know. I'm wondering how others view the baits they are using. I think the newer baits all borrow from the past. I've not bought a whopper Plopper yet, and probably won't. It's just one example, but there are many more. What do you all think about this?The next time you pick out a "new" bait, I'll bet we could find an old one that does much of the same, made with modern manufacturing methods. Let me know what your opinions are?

[scaleface]

I have attempted to make a top water lure that would backup when twitched .   It is carved out just havent put it through the test  yet. It still needs  some tail weight and hardware  added to it . It probably wont work .

[Bankbeater]

One of my relatives use to make topwater and shallow running baits out of dowels.  I think they were more for show than actually fishing with.

[Logan S]

Artificial lures for bass and other gamefish have been around for well over 100 years...Pretty much everything has been done or invented by now in a general sense.  There have been periodic improvements as technology and manufacturing improves over time.  

 

Many of the the 'new' techniques/baits we've seen lately are not literally new...Just newly adapted to bass fishing, 'rediscovered', or variations of exiting stuff.  Doesn't make it any less innovative or successful.  

[KDW96]

 Good ole Uncle Josh. In my opinion is still the best jig trailer, esspecially in colder water. It amaze me what people charge for a jar now its not made anymore. I never pay more than 2.00 a full bottle. Iguess im sitting on a gold mine........

[MassYak85]

Lots of "new" lures have definitely borrow from past designs. It does become hard to distinguish or "innovate" when everyone is basically attempting to do the same thing....imitate nature. Paint-jobs and "wraps" have gotten to nearly photo-realistic detail in the recent years, but I think a lot of the actual innovation now-a-days is in small details of materials and manufacturing rather than the shape of the lure. Refining soft plastics to get better durability, better scent and color retention while still being flexible (see Elaztech becoming popular for example). While not the lure itself, hooks have come a long ways for sure (thinner yet stronger/sharper). Trying out the "latest and greatest" will always be a big part of the fun of this hobby I think for most of us but actual success will always come first and foremost from understanding the behavior of the fish. 

[J Francho]

I'd think you could definitely make something innovative in the plastics department.  Crazy looking new baits come out every year.

[MassYak85]

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

I'd think you could definitely make something innovative in the plastics department.  Crazy looking new baits come out every year.

For sure, I think there's definitely some holes in the soft bait market, especially with soft swimbaits, that could be filled.  I've seen some guys online also use 3D printing to prototype new molds for designs before committing to production runs, now that the technology is becoming more accessible to the garage guys. 

[Crestliner2008]

Not sure why you would want to design a "new" lure in the first place. Lures are just tools....to allow you depth & speed controls. Placed in the appropriate location, everything/anything you already have in your "tool box" will allow you to accomplish those goals.

 

That being said, the only other logical reason for wanting a "new" design, is more probably to make a buck!

[Choporoz]

Not a discussion unique to bass lures. 

Most every new 'thing' is somehow derivative...each of us decides for ourselves how 'unique' a new idea is.    For example, I got some Dark Sleepers for Christmas.  Never seen one before and I thought they were very unique...new and exciting....to me, anyway.  But, lead weighted lures been around for a couple years.....fish looking plastic lures, too.....'hidden' hooks?....yep.   And still, I am impressed....but they better catch me some fish, or it doesn't really matter how innovative they are/were....:)

[J Francho]

31 minutes ago, Crestliner2008 said:

Lures are just tools....

People invent new tools all the time.

[Mobasser]

43 minutes ago, J Francho said:

People invent new tools all the time.

True, but almost all are based on old designs

[J Francho]

Invent a lure that fishes using conventional bass tackle, catches fish, but doesn't require traditional hooks, yet holds fish better than traditional hooks.

[Mobasser]

28 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Invent a lure that fishes using conventional bass tackle, catches fish, but doesn't require traditional hooks, yet holds fish better than traditional hooks.

That would be unique!

[detroit1]

How about a lure that when you twist the line tie it changes color schemes? (perch to shad to craw, etc.) Or a jerkbait that adjusts from 3.5" to 6" long (match the hatch)...Or a crank that has rattles that could be silenced when needed...

[J Francho]

I feel like the rattle thing has been done.  Maybe not.

[soflabasser]

Make sure to get a Patent on any lure you invent since there will be plenty of people who will copy your design and sell it. Best not to post pictures online of the lure you invent until you have the Patent.

[Heartland]

A hard bait that has some form of a remotely detachable hook that will save the bait itself if snagged, yet remain completely reliable during fishing situations.

 

Modular hard baits, that allow you to change bills, weights and components to get the bait needed for the situation, or in case of bills breaking.

 

Lures with an easy, quick, and reliable method of attaching line without knots.

[Choporoz]

48 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Invent a lure that fishes using conventional bass tackle, catches fish, but doesn't require traditional hooks, yet holds fish better than traditional hooks.

Need a beefy rod, though

[J Francho]

2 minutes ago, Heartland said:

A hard bait that has some form of a remotely detachable hook that will save the bait itself if snagged, yet remain completely reliable during fishing situations.

 

That's been done.  There are split rings you can buy that will bend out if you pull hard enough.

[Heartland]

2 minutes ago, J Francho said:

That's been done.  There are split rings you can buy that will bend out if you pull hard enough.

Would that limit the line you could use?

[MassYak85]

25 minutes ago, soflabasser said:

Make sure to get a Patent on any lure you invent since there will be plenty of people who will copy your design and sell it. Best not to post pictures online of the lure you invent until you have the Patent.

Yea, if anyone thinks they have The next big idea, see a patent attorney for sure. 

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, Heartland said:

Would that limit the line you could use?

There's details here:

 

Also:

http://www.ultimateniti.com/NiTi_SMA_TECH/Material_Characteristics/Ultimate_SmartLink_Lure_System_Story/

 

[senile1]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

I feel like the rattle thing has been done.  Maybe not.

You are correct.  I'm not sure if anyone else is doing it but I have a few Bomber Switchback Fat Free Shads that do this and they have been out for a few years.

 

http://www.tackletour.com/autopsybomberpg2.html