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For me, there are two different questions with regard to grain orientation, strength and density. For strength, you just want to avoid the part of the tree that's really close to the center, because that is sap wood, with wide growth rings, and not as strong. And orient the grain front to back, because cross grain is weak. If the wood you use has dramatic changes in grain pattern, then use the part with tighter grain, and it will be stronger. For density, unless you're making a suspending lure, I doubt it will make much difference. Whatever difference in weight a denser part of the wood has will probably be balanced out by the additional sealer the less dense wood can absorb. When I made bigger (8") surface plugs from douglas fir, I would look at the grain, but I doubt it made a difference. Just a carpenter being compulsive. For smaller plugs, out of pine or balsa, I don't worry about it, other than to make the grain run front to back.