6. Create a Simple Rod
Balancer
Rubber leg tips and plastic covers
used to slip over the ends of kitchen
chairs and walking canes make good
rod balancers. Measure the diameter
of the rod end, and match it to the
closest corresponding size. Covers
are generally available in sizes rang-
ing from 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches, in
1/8-inch increments.
slip the cover on the rod butt,
which might be enough weight to
create a more balanced feel. If you
need more weight, add quarters or
nickels in the bottom of the cover
before sliding it on the rod. Wrap
electrical tape around the rod butt if
a tighter fit is desired.
This system is mostly used with
long, heavy flipping sticks, or other
heavy-action rods that at times can
feel cumbersome and tip heavy.
– Paul Strege
7. Use an Earplug to Add Scent
To a Tube
The hollow body of a tube is a
perfect reservoir for your favorite
scent. To make the scent last even
longer, douse an old foam-rubber
earplug in your stinky stuff of choice,
stuff it into the tube body and then
rig it up. Your scent will last longer
than your tube.
– TJ Maglio
8. Tie Skirts with Craft Wire
Lengthen the life of your skirted
baits by “hand tying” them out of the
package with 22-gauge or smaller
craft wire from a local hardware or
craft store. Cut a piece a few inches
long. Bend it into a U-shape around
the skirt band. Twist the two ends
together by hand once, and then use
a needle-nose plier to twist the wrap
a couple more times. It should tight-
en onto the band. Clip off any
excess, and your skirt will be secured
for the life of the lure.
– TJ Maglio
WINTER 2019 I FLWFISHING.COM
6.
7.
9. Create Your Own Rattles
Glass lure rattles are great, but
they can break and are quite expen-
sive. Make your own rattles with
some aluminum or copper craft tub-
ing and a few 1mm or 2mm metal
beads (available in the necklace-
making section of most craft stores).
Lead shot works too, and provides a
different pitch.
To make one, crimp one end of
the tubing, put some beads in, and
cut the other side diagonally. Copper
will crimp when you cut it; aluminum
might not. The beveled cut makes it
easy to insert the rattle into plastics.
– TJ Maglio
10. Make a Wire Swimbait
Keeper
8.
9.
Ditch messy glue in favor of a
homemade wire swimbait keeper.
Attach one end of a 5- to 6-inch piece
of wire or a paper clip to a jighead’s
line tie with a simple twist loop. Next,
about 1 1/2 inches back, bend the
wire down toward the hook at a 45-
degree angle. Now create a v-bend
bend in the end of the wire. The v
should be about 1/4 inch deep. Trim
off the excess.
To install, slide the swimbait up in
place, then push the v through the
top of the plastic. It should clip
around the hook shank. Adjust the
length and angle of the keeper as
needed.
– David A. Brown
10.
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