A few hybrid soft plastics I came up with this morning

[SenkoSam]

As usual, a candle flame was used to weld the parts of different lures together.



Note: the arrows indicate the origin (by color) of the part added. For example, the tube skirt was cut off and replaced by another of a different color which originated from the grub just below it. The Brush Hog tail (dyed chartreuse) was attached to the grub body for a different action than a single tail. And finally, a smaller Brush Hog tail was attached to the medium BH body (bottom).

[Polaris425]

Lol that's pretty cool! So will you now make a mold of them? So you can make a solid one.

[SenkoSam]

I have so many bags of soft plastics, it would take me a lifetime to think up more combinations!

[analfisherman]

I have so many bags of soft plastics, it would take me a lifetime to think up more combinations!

That is just way to funny!!!
Very neat looking plastics.!!!

Somehow I think I just may see one or two more...at least I hope so! 

[hornytoader]

I like that brushhog/"caterpillar worm" combo, nice n' soft, they should hold onto it longer. Good Job!

[SenkoSam]

I'm probably over thinking the reasons bass and other fish are attracted to artificial life (color being near the top of the list), but other than sight, I want to believe the lateral line plus sight not only gives bass the exact location of a lure, but also allows it a feeling object detail. Of course, the slower the motion of an object, the more detail that is experienced. Maybe that accounts for the reason finesse baits and presentations have been accepted by most pros, including the original power angler KVD. (I asked him in person his opinion of finesse presentations and lures.)

Ever notice that most finesse lures and their components are streamlined but that fast moving lures are more bulb shaped? Finesse action components of finesse lures produce minimal action - just enough to be detected and targeted (object focus). I wonder if the rhythmic movements of a stationary lure produces almost a hypnotic affect, broken by a timeline that's reached its biological conclusion. Even a cat will observe a mouse for only so long before it pounces. Those presentations or lures I don't consider finesse are those that move along at a good pace, either horizontally or vertically.

When designing hybrids, I take into account tail size and action, body diameter and length, texture (if any) and color. Each component depends on whether the lure is a finesse or for another use. Sometimes a natural motion is striven for as in the case of the following hybrid:


1. Slim design (fish-like)
2. pearl flash
3. best action - jerk and pause
4. used with larger diameter line for suspending

Comparing the top two hybrids (similar to the above) to the bottom one, note the paddle tail and appendages on the sides.


1. flapping rear paddle
2. appendages (bug or craw-like)
3. an overall bulb shape

Slow presentation doesn't always mean finesse, but I usually think both are connected and therefore so is a lure design that seals the deal.

None of the above has ever been scientifically proven, but my own experiences in the waters I fish in the northeast suggest they hold water. Except for two, here are a few more (two types):