Happyshort

Making fishing lures may be easy for the seasoned do-it-yourself
angler. But the maintenance of these lures is just as important to
ensure a tip-top condition.

After buying or making the fishing
lures there is still the responsibility of taking care of and repairing
them so that they are always in good condition. This requires some
effort and time but is usually easy for the angler who makes his own
fishing lures.

Since he makes them and puts them together, he
also knows how to take them apart and repair them. He also has the
tools and fishing lure parts necessary for such work. All the tools
required to assemble the parts and make the lures are explained on this
page at http://www.make-your-own-fishing-lures.com/hand-tools.html .

Fishing
lures in general do not require much care when storing them in a home
or shop. The best idea is to put them into cabinet drawers or
individual boxes so that they can be found easily and can be kept dry.
In humid climates or near the seashore it is important not to expose
the metal parts to the air; otherwise, hooks will rust and other metals
will corrode.

Fishing lures that have feathers or hair should be
kept in airtight containers so that moths and other insects or small
animals will not get to them. This also applies to new fishing lures
that haven’t yet been used. Lures which have been used require
considerable care if you want to get the maximum use from them.
Freshwater fishing lures usually require less care and repair than
saltwater ones.

In general, when examining any fishing lure you
have made or bought it’s a wise policy to repair it if you are the
least bit doubtful about its condition. Repairing usually means
sandpapering the part of the lure body that is slightly chipped and
then touching up with a small brush, using enamels or lacquers.

Replace
the hooks with new ones if they are badly rusted. When doing this it is
important to use the same size and weight as the old ones so that the
action of the fishing lure is not changed in any way. If the damage is
too bad and the lure cannot be repaired, throw it away after salvaging
any usable parts.

It doesn’t pay to take chances with a fishing
lure that is weak in any way. You may hook a record fish but lose it if
the lure is not dependable. Many anglers who buy their fishing lures in
tackle stores often use them until they fall apart, before buying new
ones. But if you make your own fishing lures you can afford to use only
those that are still in good condition.

It is better to be safe than sorry.