Using one's imagination can pay off

[saltystick]

I started joining the parts of soft plastic lure a few years ago and have found many that work far better than the originals. You might be surprised the combinations or modifications that can make a big difference. As most of you know, lure size and action, shape and at times color - all in combination - can make or break and outing and not just using soft plastics. But another factor is a big contributor: the best presentation for any lure. Can't have one without the other.

As my first example, I've chosen the Sweet Beaver to alter or use the parts attached to other lures. Nothing special, just time spent when the weather sucks or I have to work. Here are examples"


First time I tried # 4, I caught some nice crappie and a bass.


The front end of a Slider Worm did well:



When it comes to soft plastics, there's no such thing as one that species specific. Find a lure that catches fish and the doors open for many species - even cat fish.

Wacky rigged Senkos have caught thousands of fish since first introduced, but has anyone ever downsized to a small stick and caught fish on it with that presentation?
Pan fish clobbered the mini-stick the first time it was used as well as bass.



Rigging it the usual way also did well:


The most valuable thing one can learn from this is that there is no one rule for any soft plastic lure such as it must have a curl tail to work or that is must move a certain way or be presented a certain way. Within their tiny brains are triggers connected to their amazing senses that at times give fish no choice but to strike. Finding those triggers is what lure choice is all about, whether it be a large willow leaf blade on a spinnerbait or the clicking of rattles in a crankbait. Experimenting with lures and catching fish on them is a big eye opener adding to the sport.

[Smallie_Stalker]

I like a lot of your creations. In the first pic number 4 reminds me of a cross between the old Sting-Ray grub and a reaper bait, two of my favorites. There were times when we used to split the tails all or part of the way for more action/vibration.

Good stuff. Thank for sharing the pics with us. 

[Oldfart9999]

Experimenting pays off, both in learning how to tweak a technique and what works for baits.
Rodney

[saltystick]

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated and worth my efforts to share with fellow fanatics some ideas some may use!

[Donald Garner]

Tks for sharing this and congrats on the catching also.

[saltystick]

Thanks again and if anyone want more specific information how to make and use any lures I post, just pm me or reply to the post. My middle name is fish trigger.