How to Build a Fishing Lure Supply

Building a supply of fishing lures means having the right category of lure to cover most any contingency. Generally, this means acquiring terminal tackle that fits the three main strata of the water being fished: topwater, mid depth and deep or bottom fishing. Beyond that, the choices comprise a bewildering array of shapes, sizes, weights and purpose. Although having a larger selection of lures might be a strategic advantage in specific circumstances, with smart purchasing the angler can can build a good supply of lures without breaking the bank.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Topwater lures such as stickbaits, jerkbaits, poppers or floating mouse
Midwater lures such as wooden minnows, spinners and spoons
Deep water or diving lures such as jigs and crankbaits
Plastic worms and other soft plastic baits
Weedless spoons and spinners if conditions warrant

Step 1

Determine the type of water to be fished most frequently: inland lake, river, farm pond, ocean.

Step 2

Determine the topography and structure of the water; is it clear or cloudy, deep or shallow, weedy or sandy?

Step 3

Determine the types of fish to be angled for and be familiar with their habits during different times of the day and weather conditions.

Step 4

Consult local bait shops whose owners are most familiar with the fishing conditions in the area to be fished

Step 5

Purchase lures (when possible) from the local bait shop to build up your supply. They are often small operations with low overhead so can generally sell lures for about the same price as the big box and specialty stores, while providing advice that the chain stores probably cannot match.

Step 6

Be diverse in the types of lures you purchase rather than buying different colors of the same type. Lure color is usually not as important a factor as its action.

Tips & Warnings

Midlevel lures can be made to go deeper simply by adding a small piece of splitshot to the line about a foot above the lure. Check to make sure that doing so does not impede the action of the lure.

Try to achieve a balance between the lure weight and the rod/reel combination being used. Spinning or spin casting combos will generally cast a wider range of lure weights than will a bait casting rod/reel.

Article Written By Garrison Pence

Garrison Pence has been a midwest-based (ghost)writer for three decades, taught university-level literature, and has written articles and white papers in trade publications of the Material Handling Institute, Engineering Today, Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage Science, and Semiconductor. Pence holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Literature.

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