It's Not the Pretty Colors!!

Guess which lure will catch the most and biggest bass. Will the new, shiny one of the top left catch more bass than the other two ? How about the beat up one on the top right or the destroyed one on the bottom?

If you guessed the one on the bottom is still just as good as the other two; you are correct. Actually,all three lures in the pics are the same lure. I make this lure and the name of the lure is Sam's Favorite. I gave it that name because my friend Sam loves it and he has caught many, many bass on this small popper style lure. Sam has made thousands of casts with  this lure and has caught hundreds of bass with it and many of them over 4 pounds. The only reason I have the lure today is that the bottom hook hanger finally broke and I am replacing it with a new one. I offered to give Sam a new lure to replace the old beat up one but he declined. Sam has learned something that a lot of fishermen don't know. For top water fishing the lure color plays a limited role in your success. It is more about size, shape, sounds, and particularly the action the fisherman imparts to the lure.

Since I am not a bass I can't say with absolute certainty, but my guess is that what a bass sees on the surface above him is a dark object silhouetted against the sky. Further evidence that top water lure color makes little difference is how bass will hit top waters like crazy on dark nights. Go figure!

There is another thing you might want to think about if you think it is the pretty colors that bass are attracted to on top water lures. Take a look at the high percentage of top water lures that are white on the belly; some are yellow. All the beautiful colors on top water lures that we think are important are where? You guessed it, on the top of the lure where no bass ever sees.

I make and paint wooden top water lures and I am much like a lot of other bass fishermen in that we all have our favorite lure color/patterns. The attractive colors I think are more for us fishermen and a hungry bass could care less.They are attracted to the top water lures for reasons other than the pretty colors.

Takeaway? If you have a magic lure that seems to catch bass better than anything you have; don't quit using it just because all the paint is chipped off. Keep casting it just as it is because it is most likely not the pretty color that is attracting those hard hitting strikes.

Good fishing,
Kermett
You can learn how to make your own wooden lures here.

Extra Special Memorial Day

Memorial Day each year is a special day of remembrance for those great Americans who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
Memorial Day 2007 was a day that my son and I will remember for another reason as well; we had a fantastic morning fishing for bass. The top water action was hot and my son caught the biggest bass of his lifetime. By some standards his trophy may not be the biggest bass; but at 5 lb.7oz. it gave both of us the thrill of our lives.
Another thing that made catching this bass special was the lure he caught the bass on and the history of the lure. The lure was a Taberu popper (Sunrise Tackle) that I make and it is my son's favorite lure. Soon after I gave him the lure a couple years ago we were fishing and he broke the lure off on a tree limb about 15 feet above the water level. I went back a few days later with the long pool sweep pole from our swimming pool and retrieved the lure.
Every year in the future I will think of America's fallen heroes on Memorial Day. I will also remember the special day of bass fishing with my son when he caught a trophy bass.

Some Basic Lure Making Guidelines

Wooden Lure Making Basic Guidelines

There are several methods you can use to make/shape your lures. You can make them by turning the lure blocks in a lathe, by hand carving, or by the use of power sander like a Dremel tool or a belt sander. The use of a lathe is the easiest way to make high quality lures of a consistent size and shape.

The lure blocks in the Wooden Lure Block Kits come with several of the key steps already completed. The eye holes for the 5/16 3D molded eyes and the eye screw holes in both ends of the lure block are pre drilled. The popper mouth in the Special K popper lure is pre cut. Whether you are carving the lure or turning it on a lathe; remove wood from the lure block down to where the eye socket hole is a little less than 1/8 inch deep. These holes will accommodate the eyes later. Whether carving or turning; the pre drilled eye screw holes in both ends of the lure will be the center of the ends of the finished lure. If you are turning the popper lure block in a lathe, mount the pre cut mouth end in the live center of the lathe. (right hand side of the lathe)

When making lures from the Wooden Lure Blocks; mark the center point on the ends of the lure block with a pencil before you start the turning or carving process. This ensures that the finished lure will be in the center of
the lure block.

When turning the lure blocks on a lathe; turn the lure blocks all the way to end of the block. In other words; the lure block length you begin with should be the length of the finished lure. Doing it this way ensures the holes for the eye screws are in the dead center on the ends of the lure and that each additional lure of this type is exactly the same length.

If you purchase the Wooden Lure Blocks and plan to drill eyes holes for the 3D molded eyes; I suggest the use of a forstner bit for this job. Forstner bits and 3D molded eyes are available in various sizes. Details on how to build a lure block holder for drilling eye holes are available in the e-book on Lure Making at http://www.woodenluremaking.com/

Sanding
When turning the lures on a lathe the only sand paper you will need is a sheet of 320 grit. Cut it into 1 inch strips to use on the lathe. When carving, a Fine Sanding Block will work fine for the sanding job.

Painting Instructions

Primer/Base Coat
The easiest way to get a reasonably good base coat on your lure is by dipping them in Rustoleum 7590 Flat Flat Enamel paint. When using in warmer temperatures (80 degrees and up) no thinner is needed. When cooler than this I suggest one part thinner to nine parts paint is a good place to start.

The painting of lures is made much easier with the use of some sort of lure holding device. Pictured below is what I use and they are easy to make. With a 3/16 inch dowel rod , a 5/8 inch dowel rod, and some 1 1/8 inch eye screws you can make several of these lure holders.

Color Coat
First choice is color lacquer used in an air brush and second choice is Rustoleum aersol cans of colored lacquer. There are several colors available. Use at least two thinly applied coats. Third choice is the use of an artist brush with Testors enamel or lacquer. Testor also sells aerosol cans of both enamel and lacquer. Much more detail on paint coatings and the painting processes are available in the complete e-book on Wooden Lure Making at http://www.woodenluremaking.com/
After the color coat is done and prior to the application of the final clear coat is the time to glue the eyes into the eye holes. A good water proof glue like Tite Bond II works fine.

Clear Coat
A 1 part or 2 part clear coat epoxy is best for this job. A great second choice is Rustoleum clear lacquer in aerosol cans.

Hooks and Hardware
Once the final clear coat is completely dry is the time to attach all hardware. Small needle nose pliers and a small screw driver are needed for this job.

Good luck and good fishing,
Kermett Adams

88 And Still Going!!!

Update; January 4, 2010.

It has been three years since I first made this post and I am happy to add this update that my friend Sam is still here and still going strong. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sam!!! Sam is now 91 and doing well.

I am running a little late with this post with the busy Christmas season but it is still not too late to post a birthday tribute to my good friend and fishing partner; Sam. On December 22 Sam turned 88 years young and his love for bass fishing is still matched by his energy to pursue them. Guess what he did to celebrate his 88th birthday; you guessed it , he went fishing as he does almost everyday of the week summer and winter. Sam has the same love of top water fishing for bass that I do; but still keeps up the chase all winter long. I have posted a picture of Sam with a nice bass he caught last summer using his favorite top water lure; Sam's Favorite. This is one of the lures I make and Sam liked it so much I named it after him. It has the age old popping sound and action and just like Sam; it still catches bass. Happy Birthday Sam!!!

Wintertime Blues

When winter arrives and largemouth bass retreat to the depths; avid top water bass fishermen sometimes have a hard time adjusting. In my younger days I would put away the rods and pick up the rifle and shotgun in November to wait until the bass hit the shallows again in the spring. As the hills I used to climb chasing deer seem to be taller and steeper now; I spend more time in pursuit of bass. Winter time bass fishing may not have the action of bass busting a lure on the surface; but action can be hot nonetheless. There are a variety of methods I use to catch bass at various depths in the cold weather months; but drop shotting has been productive for the last month . I am fishing for big bass in heavy cover so I am not "finesse" fishing. I rig a 6 inch Zoom lizard on 15 lb. test line with a 1/2 oz. weight 10 inches below the lizard. Most of my action is coming on the bottom at 25 to 40 feet in cover. The key I have found is fishing really slow and stay in the structure. In my case it is rock structure on the bottom. Hey, it is not the same as top water action that will be here in a couple months, but it can be a lot of fun when you get in them.Hey, fellow top water lovers, find another way to catch them in the winter. A new spring and top water action will be here before we know it. I caught the bass in the picture on a frosty morning in late December. Drop shotting is not the same as top water action, but it provides some action till the water warms up. Give it a try!!

K Lures Handmade Wooden Lures