Ranger Lures -- By Roberts

[robalo01]

Does anybody know how these are made? They are supposed to be top water lures.

 

 

http://robertslures.com/roberts-lures/the-ranger-series/ranger-3-oz-white-with-red-stripe

[Richard Prager]

http://robertslures.com/technical.html

[Griffond]

Interesting looking lure

[Don-Art]

Most likely a rotational molded lure. The center would be hollow air space.

[robalo01]

I am told they are not hollow.

[mark poulson]

I'm guessing they are a topwater, walk-the-dog type lure, so they would be weighted toward the rear, but still float.

The larger the lure, the higher in the water you would want the butt to sit, so you don't have to wrench your shoulder to get it up and walking.  But even the biggest topwaters, like the old 10"+- Pupfish, need to be tail heavy a little, so just the front 1/3 of the lure is out of the water.

[agarrett]

I make these. It is essentially just a very large jigging spoon made out of plastic that you can cast and reel. Do-It makes a mold for pouring the lead version as well as the wire inserts for them. The Do-It version isn't quite as large though they may make one similar by now. I ordered my mold in 2007 and have been making them since. My biggest one is 2.5 inches or so plus the dressed hook. Once I made a few lead ones, I used the finished product to make a silicone mold so that I could pour plastic onces. You can add tungsten powder to the resin to change the weight or balance to them. Depending on what type of resin you use, they are going to be fairly light and some kind of weight may be necessary unless you plan to use it more like a topwater bait. I also add feathers and tinsel to the hook sometimes too. One side of the lure is flat and the other side has a slight tapered V-shape which causes them to sway back and forth as you reel them in.

 

Here is a link to the molds available by Do-It but I'm sure someone else probably makes one that almost identical. http://do-itmolds.com/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=1_9

 

The Flutter spoon will give you the closest size and they have the wire inserts here: http://do-itmolds.com/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=2_116_297

 

Here's what I would do. I would order one of their lures find out the length of the lure from the tips of the wire loops. This will give you the size insert you need. You could also just make them with SS wire if you have the tools (wiring forming jig) Then, I would cast a silicone mold of the lure. Once cured, remove the original, insert wire form, pour your resin, let cure, remove from mold, clean edges if necessary, paint, post pictures for all of us to see.

 

It really is a pretty simple lure to make. The nice thing about the doit molds is that you can modify or reshape the spoon/lure after you pour it since it's made of lead and fairly soft. Then you can make a mold of your "custom" modified version. I also like taking a dremel tool to the mold to customize lead pours.

Edited October 23, 2013 by agarrett

[robalo01]

These are actually much larger than the do-it version.

[mark poulson]

Now I'm really confused.  The description says it's a top water lure, but you guys are recommending lead spoons.

Am I missing something (it wouldn't be the first time)?  Are these cast and then burned back in over the top to keep them up?

A 6" lead spoon would weigh a ton....even a 6" steel spoon is heavy.

[JBlaze]

http://robertslures.com/technical.html

Hey Mark, I too thought they were floaters, but I read this and it says they are not floaters but if I understood, they stay near the surface even with a slow retrieve.

[mark poulson]

Sounds like the same kind of material that the big Sebile flutter spoon is made from.  Heavy enough to cast, but a slow fall.

[agarrett]

The lead version that I was referencing is only used to make a mold for the plastic/resin version. I make much smaller lead version for jigging for stripers. I used the lead ones to make a silicone mold to make plastic ones that can be used as a top water/wake type bait. DO-It makes a 9oz flutter spoon which is very large and similar design. You could use the same (or similar) wire insert to make your replica. Like I said though, I would just make a silicone mold of an original and then cast it from that and then bend your own SS wire for the insert. That way you have the same size and design and you would also have the ability to add weights or rattles internally if you wanted.