My Current Lure Designs

[Fishsticks]

Hello to all who read this. I was looking for input on my lure designs. I've been making my own lures for personal use for several years. I fish for the usual bass, panfish, or what ever is in my area. The past few years I've been more involved in stiper fishing. That is one of the larger game fish around the Columbia SC area. I've had decent luck, no records or anything to brag about but I still enjoy it. I've posted a small handful of my lures on this site. Last year my lures caught the attention of more serious fishermen in my area who strictly target the large stiper. Since then I've read and studied the fish more carefully. Fishermen have told me many of the baits and lures they've had hits on. Shad, trout, minnows, and an assortment of artificial baits. I've based my lure designs after what I've heard.

I've read many posts on this site and have seen what others make and what they are made for. I love making the swim baits. Right now my main thing is the shad and trout. Those are the two lures I have that people ask me for. I put a lot of time into each one, all being made by hand. So i have to charge for them to cover the cost. Well to cut to the chase I love making them and there is a chance I may end up doing it for a living.

I was looking for some advice on how well my current lures may hold up and attract other big game fish. So far I've never had a failure on stiper. Hopefully this summer I was going to do a bit of travel and hit some larger waters. I've never caught a musky but after reading so much about it I've got to give it a go. Last year I went on a fishing trip with a friend, I didn't know the waters but after a couple days I had a small pike hooked on one of my lures. Sadly I never got a picture because it got off right as I had it next to the boat. Since then I've been reading and asking questions. Trying to make better and stronger lures.

My goal is to make a swim bait that is big musky ready. My lures now may be but I can't say because I've nenver caught one.

Any advice or opinions are welcome. Do you think my lures are good to go for the big fish?

[Musky Glenn]

From a guy that really likes to musky fish, I can tell you that a striper will do just as much damage as a musky. They also fight harder. Lakes in SC have some really good stripers so you should have plenty of fish to work out any bugs that you will need to worry about. SC also has some muskies in the Broad River area of upstate. The Green River leaves Lake Adger in NC, which is stocked with the muskies that end up in SC. Some where the river changes names to Broad River and that holds the SC state record, approx. 24 pounds or so. Lake Adger in Polk County in NC is probably the closest water with numerous muskies. Muskies are the fish of 10,000 cast so don't expect a lot of action like can happen with Stripers. I fish Adger on a semi regular bases, so if you want the free guided tour just get in touch. Bring a hand full of your swim baits and we will give them a try. Musky Glenn

[Fishsticks]

Thanks for the feedback. Broad River is where I usually go around here. Rivers are way high right now after all the rain. I was out yesterday and saw some small bait fish jumping out the water so I sent a few casts that way. Caught a really small striper with one of my baits. If i could imagine it had some sort of emotion, I'd say it looked somewhat embarrassed watching it swim off. More rain to come so it will probably be next week before I get to do more fishing. You are right, sometimes there are days when striper seem to hit almost non stop. But there also quite a few of them running together.

I heard there were musky but I sure have never caught one. The one fish we have all over is the chain pickerel. I call it the mini pike, is kinda what it is. They are small but they can bring a decent fight for there size. Most consider them a nuisance fish in ponds and lakes b/c they say they eat many of the other fish people try to catch. I personally go out trying to catch them, to me they are one of the sharpest looking fish around.