Author Archives: Tom McHugh

Lake Themed Coasters Make Great Gifts

Natural-Sandstone-Coaster-Set-Life-at-the-LakeLake Themed Coasters

Lake themed coasters make great gifts. They’re the perfect housewarming gift for the lake lover and make a great thank you gift for the host who a shared their lake home with you.

Lake Themed Coasters Varieties

Coasters come in an assortment of styles and designs:
  • Sandstone Coasters are heavyweight coasters are cut from natural sandstone and are super absorbent.
  • Stoneware or Ceramic Coasters are made from clay that is kiln-fired to dry and harden. These coasters can be coated with a sealant, or left unfinished, which keeps their natural absorbance.
  • Fabric Coasters are made with a soft and smooth polyester or a coated paper and a non slip rubber or cork backing.
  • Cork Coasters are made from the bark of a unique oak tree that grows in the Mediterranean region.
  • Tumbled Stone Coasters are stone tiles that have been placed into a spinning drum with grit, crushed stones and water. The tiles will lose corners and develop fissures and holes in their surfaces- leaving rustic looking, tumbled tiles.

 

Lake Themed Coaster Tip: Whatever type of lake themed coaster you choose, be sure that it has a backing (usually rubber or cork) to prevent scratching the table’s surface when the coaster is moved.

 

Here are a variety of lake themed coasters that are bound to please friends, family and even yourself.

Life at the Lake Coaster Set

Natural-Sandstone-Coaster-Set-Life-at-the-LakeThis set of four naturally super absorbent lake themed coasters is our personal favorite. Cut from natural, solid sandstone with a no-fade finish, they feature a cork-backing to help protect your furniture.

Set of 4 lake themed coasters. Dimensions: 4″ x 4″ x 1.5″. 2 lbs.  by Thirstystone

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Moon Over Lake Scenic Nature Rubber Coasters


This 4 pack of 4″ round rubber coasters of the moon rising over the lake are made of a durable heat-resistant polyester fabric top, backed with a neoprene rubber non-slip backing, keeps things from sliding. The rubber coasters are 1/8″ thick. It will not discolor or fade, machine washable.

Set of 4 coasters. Dimensions: 4″ diameter.

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Lake House Stoneware Drink Coasters

Welcome to the Lake House Stoneware Drink CoastersThese limited edition absorbent clay lake themed coasters are naturally absorb moisture, and feature natural cork backing to protect your furniture. All of these lake themed coasters are hand-pressed, stained and fired at McCarter’s facility in North Mississippi.

Naturally colored Lake House styled imprint accents any decor, and make a great conversation piece. A wonderful housewarming gifts; surprise a close friend or relative with something artistic and practical at the same time!

Set of 4 coasters. Dimensions: 4.25″ x 4.25″

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This 4 pack of 4″ round rubber coasters features a scene of a mountain lake, and are made of a durable heat-resistant polyester fabric top, backed with a neoprene rubber non-slip backing, keeps things from sliding. The rubber coasters are 1/8″ thick. It will not discolor or fade, machine washable.

Set of 4 coasters.    Dimensions- 4” diameter

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Thirstystone-Occasions-Drink-Coaster-Set-Great-Lakes-LighthousesSet of four naturally ultra-absorbent Lighthouses of the Great Lakes cut from natural, solid sandstone.

Coasters have a no-fade finish, are designed to last and absorb for years, and feature a cork-backing to help protect your furniture.

Set of 4 lighthouse coasters. Dimensions:4″ x 4″ x 1.5″.

          Order Here

This 4 pack of 4″ round rubber coasters of the image shown are made of a durable heat-resistant polyester fabric top, backed with a neoprene rubber non-slip backing, keeps things from sliding. The rubber coasters are 1/8″ thick. It will not discolor or fade, machine washable.

Sets of 4  Dimensions: 4″ x 4″ Soft coasters

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Scenic Nature Lake Mountains Rubber Square Coaster set

This 4 pack of 3.75″ x 3.75″ square rubber coasters of the image shown are made of a durable heat-resistant polyester fabric top, backed with a neoprene rubber non-slip backing, keeps things from sliding. The rubber coasters are 1/8″ thick. It will not discolor or fade, machine washable.

Set of 4 coasters. Dimensions: 3.75″ x 3.75″.
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Scenic Nature Lake Rock photo Rubber Round Coaster set

This 4 pack of 4″ round rubber coasters of a scenic nature lake rock photo are made of a durable heat-resistant polyester fabric top, backed with a neoprene rubber non-slip backing, keeps things from sliding. The rubber coasters are 1/8″ thick. It will not discolor or fade, machine washable.

Set of 4 coasters. Dimensions: 4″ diameter.

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Set of 4 Sailboat on the lake Foam Coasters

Foam Coaster. Permanently dyed and fade resistant. Great to keep water from your beverage off your table and add a bit of flair to a gatering. Match with one of the insulated coolers or huggers for a nice gift pack. Wash the coaster in the top of your dishwasher. Design will not come off. Made from our mouse pad material and is heat resistant.

Set of 4 coasters. Dimensions: 3.25″ x 3.25″ .

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Other Lake Life Gift Ideas:

Lake Mooring Tips and FAQs: Use These To Protect Your Boat

Lake Mooring Tips and FAQ’s

Take advantage of Lake Mooring Tips and Tricks when mooring your boat on a lakePermanent mooring systems are designed so that you can leave your boat unattended for long periods of time. In many cases, mooring on a lake is the safest and most cost-effective way to leave your boat in the water. This can mean leaving your boat in until next weekend or riding out a heavy storm. Here are some lake mooring tips and tricks, as well as answers to some often asked questions about mooring on a lake.

What Size Anchor To Use?

The anchor can range from a small mushroom anchor to a concrete block to a large piece of industrial equipment. In the past engine blocks from ship and locomotives were used. Most mooring anchors used today are concrete blocks with steel reinforcing bar.

Here’s a rough guideline to help decide what size anchor you’ll need: 

Boat Length

Mushroom Anchor

Screw  Anchor

(lbs. Holding Power)

Concrete Block

up to 13′ 50 lbs. 1,500 lbs. 100 lbs
14-16′ 75 lbs 1,500 lbs 200 lbs
17′-20′ 100 lbs 2,500 lbs 300 lbs
21′-24′ 200 lbs 4,000 lbs 500 lbs
25′-27′ 250 lbs 5,000 lbs 1,000 lbs
28′-30′ 400 lbs 7,000 lbs

2,000 lbs

 

[important]Lake Mooring Tips: Always check with your local harbor master or authorities first to make sure that you’re not about to violate any regulations governing the placement and type of moorings allowed.[/important]


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Protect Your Lines

Twisted strand line is almost always used for mooring lines because chafe and weakness will be obvious. In braided cover lines the core could be near failure while only a small hole is visible in the cover. Cuts to braided lines are also less noticeable than with twisted lines.

Use chafing gear when mooring lines run through bow chocks or are likely to contact deck hardware. A thimble on the shackle end will prevent chafing at the buoy. Chafe guards that can be removed from the line are necessary to inspect each pennant for wear. Although it depends on the boat and mooring basin, an important lake mooring tip is  to replace mooring pennants every two years.

[important]Lake Mooring Tips:  If your boat is moored in a  with strong currents or persistent strong winds the pennants should be replaced every one to two years.[/important]

Clean grit or bird droppings from the pennants to cut wear. Do the same for algae or mussels on the anchor pennant. Ideally the pennants can be held up out of the water with a hook that pokes a few feet out the top of the buoy where you can store and easily retrieve your lines.

[important]Lake Mooring Tips: It’s a good practice to keep one pennant a few inches longer than the other. That way the short one wears out before the longer one. By doing this only one pennant should break from wear at a time.[/important]

Use a Boat Hook 

When picking up a mooring, use a boat hook to catch the top ring of the buoy. Then shackle the mooring pennant to the mooring chain shackle, instead of the buoy itself. This will put all the strain on the anchor chain and not the buoy.

[important]Lake Mooring Tips: Using a boat hook is also a safer means of retrieving the buoy than leaning out over the side of the boat. If the boat is moving too fast as you approach the mooring buoy, you might get pulled overboard by the forward momentum as you grab the buoy.[/important]

What Size Buoy Will I Need?

A mooring buoy or anchor buoy is usually a hard shell covering over a ball or cone-shaped piece of foam. Usually mooring buoys are white with a blue band. 

The size of a buoy is determined by the weight of the line or chain it supports. To choose the best mooring buoy for your situation calculate the weight of your line, then add another 25%  for safety. Next consult the buoyancy chart for the individual buoy. For a list of best-selling mooring buoys visit Best Mooring Buoys for Lake Boating. 

Securely Mooring Your Boat

In strong winds, the mooring’s holding power can be increased by increasing the length of your mooring pennant. This increases the scope of the mooring, offering greater holding power. Check that other boats at that moorage are far enough so that you won’t foul another moored boat.

In bad conditions, a second mooring pennant can be run to the top eye as a safety in case the primary pennant wears through or fails.

Galvanized shackles should be moused so they won’t open.

[important]Lake Mooring Tips: electrician’s plastic tie wraps work great for securing shackles![/important]

Moorings can drag in heavy wind and waves if the anchor has not had time to dig into its position. Once the mooring anchor is surrounded by silt or sand the mooring will be very strong. Scouring from tides or currents can expose mooring anchors making them liable to drag.

 

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Best Mooring Buoys for Lake Boating

 

MooringBest Mooring Buoys refers to attaching your watercraft to a float or buoy on the surface, which is in turn is attached to a permanent anchor at the bottom of the lake by a rode.  Rode is the term used to refer to the line, cable, or chain that connects the anchor to the buoy.

A mooring buoy marks the transition point (from the surface to below surface) of your boat’s connection to the mooring anchor, and keeps that line (called a pennant) from sinking to the bottom of the lake.

A mooring buoy serves two purposes. It floats the heavy chain toward the surface, and it also increases the holding power of your mooring system by absorbing some of the shock from waves and wind.

A simple, temporary mooring buoy can be made from any type of jug that can be sealed so that it will float. Milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles will work, but have serious drawbacks. Neither of these is durable enough to stand up the constant pressure exerted by the wind and the waves upon your moored boat. It’s just a matter of time before they self-destruct and you lose your ‘mooring buoy’… and possibly your boat.

There are a number of durable and resilient mooring buoys available commercially that will give years of reliable service. They are available in different sizes and offer different features that you may find useful. Here are ten of the most popular and best mooring buoys:

 

10 Most Popular and Best Mooring Buoys

 

 

Taylor Made: Sur-Moor Spar Shaped Buoys

Dimensions:  Diameter: 6”, Height: 31”, Buoyancy: 15#, Orange/White

http://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=CKR035beVys&offerid=373985.125068&type=2&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gandermountain.com%2Fmodperl%2Fproduct%2Fdetails.cgi%3Fpdesc%3DSur-Moor-Spar-Shaped-Buoy%26i%3D95643%26r%3DviewReady to complete your mooring system? Taylor Made Sur-Moor buoys are built to withstand the constant abuse of most mooring environments. Regardless of the shape you select, you can count on reliable flotation that will last for several seasons, depending upon the salinity of the water.

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Jim Buoy Deluxe Series Mooring Buoy With 1/2″ Swivel And Eye

Dimensions: Diameter: 12″,  Buoyancy: 30#, White

The high density foam of this deluxe buoy ensures lasting durability. All hardware is hot-dipped galvanized medium carbon steel. Eye bolts are molded into the buoy so there’s no loss of flotation. Rubber bumpers give added protection in contact. Coated with CJ-19, an exterior finish that resists extreme weathering, most chemicals, and fuels.

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Taylor Made: Sur-Moor Traditional 12″ Boat Mooring Buoy

Dimensions:  Diameter: 12”, Weight: 5.8#, Buoyancy: 30#, White

The Hardskin Sur-Moor mooring buoy has long been one of the most popular and best mooring buoys. It has a thick one piece outer shell molded of high density polyethylene filled with solid closed-cell foam – making it puncture-proof and almost indestructible. This mooring buoy has a reflective tape for nighttime visibility, and its sandblasted finish allows it to be easily painted for identification. Fittings, rings and swivels are hot dipped galvanized for years of service. Mooring buoy comes with a 3 year flotation warranty.

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Polyform 17″ Mooring Buoy 

Dimensions:  Diameter: 17″, Height: 22″, Buoyancy: 121#, Red

This buoy has been designed to provide the ultimate in strength, durability and versatility, providing increased security to any mooring.

The mooring iron is made from stainless steel. A larger eye (4-3/8” diameter) and swivel (1-1/2” diameter along) provides maximum strength. Best of all – the soft vinyl surface won’t harm boat finishes. Available in fluorescent red and white with a blue stripe.

Polyform’s unique vinyl valve seals securely. Even wall thickness for strength and durability,

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Taylor Made: Sur-Moor 18″ Taper Buoy

Dimensions:  Diameter: 18”, Height 16-3/4″, Buoyancy: 70#, White

The Sur-Moor taper design places more flotation area at the waterline, creating a higher-visibility mooring.

Hard-skin polyethylene shell is UV-protected to resist the weathering effects of sunlight, and is filled with closed-cell foam to displace more water. Sandblasted finish of the shell allows buoy to be easily painted for identification. Hardware not included. 2-1/2″ tube diameter,

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Polyform: 13.5″ Mooring Buoy

Dimensions:  Diameter: 15″, Buoyancy: 55#, White

Designed to provide the ultimate in strength, durability and versatility while providing increased security to any mooring. The mooring iron is made from stainless steel. A large eye (4-3/8” diameter) and swivel (1-1/2” diameter along) provides maximum strength.

The soft vinyl surface won’t harm boat finishes. Available in fluorescent red and white with a blue stripe.  Limited three year warranty.

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Taylor Made: Sur-Moor Traditional 15″ Boat Mooring Buoy

Dimensions:  Diameter: 15”, Weight: 8.6#, Buoyancy: 60#, White

Hard skin Sur-Moor mooring buoys have a thick one piece outer shell molded of high density polyethylene and filled with solid closed-cell foam – making them puncture-proof and almost indestructible. This mooring buoy has a reflective tape for nighttime visibility, and its sandblasted finish allows it to be easily painted for identification. Fittings, rings and swivels are hot dipped galvanized for years of service. Mooring buoy comes with a 3 year flotation warranty.  

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Taylor Made: Sur-Moor T3C 18″ Boat Mooring Buoy (18″)

Dimensions:  Diameter: 18”, Weight: 7.2#, Buoyancy: 75#, White

This buoy’s rope nest design features a built-in cup shape at the top of the buoy. This allows the anchor shackle to nest below the buoy surface – helping to shield the shackle from contact with the boat hull, and making a convenient nesting place for the pennant line when the boat leaves the mooring buoy. The hard-skin polyethylene shell is UV protected to resist the weathering effects of sunlight and is foam filled to positively displace water; sandblasted finish allows the buoy to be easily painted for identification. Also features Tube-Through-The-Center design and blue reflective striping. Hardware not included.

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Taylor Made: Sur-Moor 24″ T3C Taper Boat Mooring Buoy

Dimensions:  24″x24″x24″”, Weight: 8#, Buoyancy: 165#, White

The Sur-Moor™ taper shape design places more floatation area at the waterline giving higher visibility to the mooring. The hard-skinned shell is molded from tough UV protected polyethylene to resist the weathering effects of sunlight and is foam filled to positively displace water. One-piece seamless construction with  sandblasted finish allows easy painting for identifying. Available in the Tube-Through-The-Center design with blue reflective striping. Three year flotation warranty. Mooring collar not included.

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Walsh Marine W1800MAW 18” Round Mooring Buoy

Dimensions:  Diameter: 18”, Weight: 36#, Buoyancy: 75#, White

Designed for use in all areas. Rod thru with bail swivels at both ends. Seamless construction, rotationally molded from UV stabilized ultra strong high-density polyethylene plastic- NO ABS!! Proprietary manufacturing process ensures smooth fully filled shape- free of voids or sink marks.

Super tough, no cracking, chipping, peeling or rusting in any climate Impervious to chemicals. Completely foam filled with urethane foam meeting or exceeding United States Coast Guard requirements.

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10 Most Popular Lake Themed Gift Signs

10  Popular Lake Themed Gift Signs

Novelty lake themed gift signs celebrate the lake life and the lake lifestyle, and make great gifts for the lake lover.

These signs are sure to be appreciated as lake house warming gifts, or as a thank you gifts for the lake lover. Here are ten of the most popular of these lake themed gift signs:

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Ten Favorite Lake Themed Gift Signs

 

“What Happens At The Lake, Stays At The Lake”

Each one of these 11′ by 11′ rustic solid wood signs is unique. Sign gives your guests, family and friends the freedom to kick back and enjoy themselves. Makes a great thank you gift after visiting your lake loving friends or family. 

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“Lake Rules: Canoe, Swim, Relax … Have Fun”

18″ x 18″ hand-made sign with solid white pine frame. Distressed printing and natural wood variations give a vintage look. This antique looking lake themed gift sign lists the rules of the lake. Perfect gift for the lake house, cabin or camp.

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“If You’re Lucky Enough To Have A House By The Water … “

This handmade ceramic wall sign is made of natural colored stoneware clay with a baked on glossy finish and dark blue lettering and measures 4″ x 6″ . Each sign is formed of soft pliable clay and decorated individually with a whimsical blueberry floral pattern.

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“LIVE, LOVE, LAKE”

Perfect gift for one of your lake loving family or friends – summing up perfectly what the lake life is all about. Each of these hand painted 11″ x 11″ signs is unique and makes a great decoration or gift at the lake house, cabin, camp or lodge. 

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“Lake Forecast: Sunny, Occasional Boating & Swimming …”

4″ x 10″ indoor sign “Lake Forecast: Sunny, Occasional Boating and Swimming, Chance of Drinking, Drinking may be heavy at times”

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“Life Is Good, But It’s Better At The Lake”

Currently unavailable.  6″ x 4″ wooden photo frame displays photos of the lake life in a lighthearted way. 

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“If You’re Lucky Enough To Live At The Lake …”

A great lake themed gift sign, this 9″ x 9″ wooden plaque features our favorite saying: “If You’re Lucky Enough to Live At the Lake Your Lucky Enough.”

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“I’m On Lake Time”

Fully enclosed painted wood box sign measures 18″ x 3″ x 1.5″. Perfect lake themed gift to display on table or shelf.

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“Memories Are Made At The Lake”

This 4″ x 4″ green and white painted wood sign makes a perfect host/hostess gift for cabin or lake house. This item is very small (4″ x 4″) and is perfect for a small little nook area or table top. 

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“Go Jump In The Lake”

This 12″ x 5.5″ x 1.5″ fully enclosed wood box sign proclaims “Go jump in the lake”. Includes a wire hangar on the back of sign to allow wall hanging or tabletop display. 

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Other Lake Life Gift Ideas:

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More Lake Gift Ideas:

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Homemade Fishing Lures

Homemade fishing lures

homemade fishing lures!

Fishing on a budget can be almost as important as learning about the latest techniques for landing trophy fish. Fishing can be an expensive hobby. Rods, reels, boat upkeep all add up. Homemade lures can help keep the costs of your favorite sport in check. With a little skill and a few everyday household items you can create a supply of lures with little or no out-of-pocket expense. Here are a few ways to make it happen.

You can be creative; there are plenty of directions online. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started.

 

 

What Looks Like Trash To You, Could Look Like Dinner To A Fish

homemade fishing lures!

Fish like flashy things; things that catch their eyes. Anything that catches the light is a good bet. Bottle caps, can tabs, and old spoons can all work well and are usually readily available. You can always purchase blank spinners and flashers online if you don’t want to be totally self-sufficient. Add some color! Beads, nail polish, reflective tape, or feathers will brighten a lure up.

 

 

 

 

Types of Homemade Fishing Lures

  • Spoon lures resemble the inside of a table spoon. They flash in the light while wobbling or darting due to their shape, and attract fish.  Check out how-to video here.
  • Surface lures, also called top water lures, poppers and stickbaits, float and resemble prey on top of the water. Here are some tips.
  • Plugs are also known as crankbaits. They have a fishlike shape and they are run through the water producing a variety of different movements caused by a bib under the head.
  • Artificial flies are designed to resemble all manner of fish prey and are used with a fly rod and reel in fly fishing.
  • homemade fishing lures!

    Jigs are weighted hooks with lead heads opposite the barb. They can be used with a minnow, crawfish or plastic worm to get the fish’s attention.

  • Soft plastic baits/lures are made of plastic or rubber, and are designed to look like fish, worms, crabs, frogs, leeches, squid, lizards, and other creatures.
  • Spinnerbait are pieces of wire bent at about a 60 degree angle with a flashy spinner at the top and a hook on the lower end.

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Getting Started Making Homemade Lures

Here are a few ideas to get you started. You’ll find detailed instructions and videos. Check out:

 

Most importantly – have fun and be creative! It’s a great feeling to catch a fish on a lure that you made yourself. You never know what a fish might strike.

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Image Credits (from top to bottom): stripersonline.com, sloshspot.com, worldfishingnetwork.com

Homemade Stickbait Lure

Homemade Stickbait and jerkbait stick lures

Homemade Stickbait and jerkbait stick lures

Photo via Living Apex

Not at all fancy, but with its minnow-like appearance, the stickbait or jerkbait can be very effective. And the jerkbait stick lure requires little more than a small stick of wood, a drill, a paper clip, some paint or nail polish, and a fishook.

They float and resemble prey that is on top of the water. Stickbaits have only whatever motion the fisherman gives them through the action of the rod itself. If skillfully used, they can be very effective.

 

 

Homemade Stickbait Lures 
Matzuo Sickle Treble Hook Assortment (Assorted, Assorted)
List Price: $11.99
Price: $8.99
You Save: $3.00
Price Disclaimer

  1. Break and carve your stick to the approximate size and shape of a minnow.
  2. Drill a lengthwise hole through the center.
  3. Insert a paperclip through the hole that you drilled.
  4. Twist a loop at one end of the paperclip to attach to your line.
  5. Twist a loop and attach a split ring at the other end of the paperclip.
  6. Attach a Treble Hook to the split ring.
  7. A coat of nail polish will provide a waterproof coating to make your lures last longer.

 

 

Video: Making a Homemade Lure out of a Stick!

This video by Josh Rueff shows how to make a homemade topwater jerkbait lure from a whittled stick and a paper clip.
The total cost was right around 25 cents!

Time to try this lure out on the water!

 

Homemade Spoon Lure

Creating a Homemade Spoon Lure

 

Homemade Spoon Lure

Photo via The Wonder Forest

Spoon lures, true to their name, resemble the inside of a table spoon. Typically they are oblong and concave in shape, which creates their movement through the water. Spoons attract fish because they flash in the light (due tio their shape) as they wobble and dart through the water.  They are believed to have been invented by Len Thompson around 1929.

If you have extra silverware lying around, you can reuse it to make some shiny new lures. With little more than some old stainless steel spoons, thread, glue, feathers, and a few tools, you can change that old coffee spoon into an eye-catching and fish-catching lure. Here’s how:

 

 

Basic Homemade Spoon Lure:
Matzuo Sickle Treble Hook Assortment (Assorted, Assorted)
List Price: $11.99
Price: $8.99
You Save: $3.00
Price Disclaimer

 

  1. Cut the spoon’s handle off close to the bowl of the spoon.
  2. Sand the rough edge that you just cut.
  3. Drill a 1/8  hole at either end of the spoon bowl.
  4. Attach a Split Ring through each hole in the spoon.
  5. Add a hook. You can use whatever you like here; though most prefer a Treble Hook.

 

Optional Upgrades For Your Homemade Spoon Lure:

 

  • Hammer down the outside of the spoon slightly to alter the shape and the action of the lure through the water.
  • Tie some colorful feathers onto the shaft of the hook with a heavy duty thread.
  • Paint one side of the spoon with a brightly colored design.

 

 

Video: How to make a spoon lure from a kitchen spoon

 

This video from Great Cove Adventure Films shows step-by-step how to create your own homemade spoon lure:

 

Another video, this one by InTylerable also shows how to make your own spoon lure with a few variation in the process:

 

Alright, you’ve got your lures; now go catch some fish….