Monday, July 21, 2008

Servicing a Fishing Lure

Maintenance

Almost as important as it is to buy the right fishing lures, it’s equally important to take care of them after purchase to ensure that you can get the most out of them. Typically, storing fishing lures does not require much care, simple boxes will do. However, there are certain factors such as the climate that can cause you to take extra require. For instance, if you stay in a wetter climate zone, it becomes extremely important to not allow the metal parts of your lure to be exposed to air, if you do, you’ll end up with rusted hooks and corroded metal. Also, lures with feathers should be kept in air-tight containers to avoid moths and other insects from getting to them.

Repair

Regardless of how well you keep your fishing lures, damage is inevitable. However, most lures can be made as good as new with a few simple tricks. Below are some basics for fishing lure repair.

Plugs

If you find that your plug is slightly chipped a simple touch up with some enamel or lacquer should easily solve the problem. On the other hand, severely damaged wooden plugs require a complete paint job; you can do this with either a brush and enamel or a spray gun and lacquer. Remember to remove the hooks if they require replacement or if you’re using a spray gun. Also, before you begin painting, it is important to sandpaper the plug. A few coats of white enamel, followed by additional colors should bring excellent results. When it comes to hooks, if they’re rusted, they need to be replaced; however, if the damage is minimal, cleaning with steel wool, followed by some oil coating, should solve the problem temporarily.

Spoons and Spinners

When it comes to spoons and spinners the golden rule is to wipe them dry after every use; this prevents them from tarnishing or corroding. Also, if you’re fishing in saltwater, ensure that you rinse the fishing lures with fresh water and then wipe them dry before storing them away. Wiping them with an oil cloth also goes a long way in maintaining the lures. If you notice that the lures are tarnished, some metal polishing could bring them back to good condition. However, if your lures are severely damaged, your best would be to take them to place that does nickel or chrome plating. Chrome plating is ideal for spoons that are used in salt water.

Jigs

When it comes to jigs, keep an eye on the hook and the skirts, which are made of the hair, feather, or nylon. If your hook is damaged, it’s best to discard the jig; then again, if damaged part of the fishing lure is the skirt, then one can always remove the old hair, feathers, nylon and tie on new hair, feathers, or nylon. When the paint wears off, sandpaper and remove the old paint completely, before giving it a fresh paint job.

Remember, however, that every fishing lure has a lifespan. After a certain amount of damage, the best option is to discard the old lure and get some new ones. For more information on the fishing lures that are available in the market, visit http://www.seaisletackle.com.

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