Lure modification can increase catch rates like no tomorrow!
The nice thing about using smaller lures is the slow presentation they force and angler to use and the slower the presentation, the more apt inactive or semi-active fish are to strike. Lures provoke fish IMO by irritating a fish's lateral line coupled with a keen vision that notices everything about a lure. Subtle lure movements are key in getting a strike to happen and what I've found since making and modifying lures are the huge number of designs that work in small and medium size water with vegetation and interesting bottoms (structure). Small soft plastics 4.5" and under on average outperform most lure designs.
Granted, there are times when crankbaits, spinnerbaits and large soft plastic lures generate many strikes at certain times, but when working certain areas that need to be worked slowly and methodically (uneven weed edges and pockets, docks, small mid-lake humps, etc, light lures seem to be more efficient.
If your like me, I'm plainly addicted to the strike from any species, hoping for the largest of any species to be hooked and fought. Small lures will catch large fish on light tackle and I've proven it with catfish over 7 lbs., carp over 15 lbs and bass over 3lbs. Same thing for large panfish such a 15"crappie, 13" perch and sunfish bigger than your hand. This puts to bed the idea that one must use lures advertised for certain species such as bass.
As I said, I modify many soft plastic lures and make them far better at catching fish than the original and everyone who reads this can benefit by doing the same. All one needs is a candle or lighter, scissors or razor or box cutter blade and an imagination. The more lures you come up with and catch fish on, the more you want to continue this sub-fishing hobby, especially on days you can't be on the water.
Here are some examples:
https://i.imgur.com/ijxjQi3.jpg
Most often, I don't like the tails of many lures I've bought in the past which must be moved to fast to move. Curl tails and Sassy Shad boot tails are two examples. My favorite tail replacement shapes are cone, prong or flat & thin. In the above picture, I replaced the tails of Mr Twister Sassy Shad grubs with a thin tail using a candle flame and also cut the belly off to make the shape more streamline. The lure is now one of my best fish catchers.
The Bass Assassin Grubs had prong tail that were to short and stiff, so I cut tails off other grubs and attached them - another big improvement!
The bottom lure had a tail that came to a point which I'm sure is excellent when used for different presentations, but for ha ha's I decided to attach a Crappy Magnet split, cone tail to see if it enhances lure action like it does the original grub.
Here's a Fin S Fish with prong tail added:
https://i.imgur.com/5DSqZmB.jpg?1
My latest innovation is cutting the tails off two small grubs and attaching the bodies together such that they can be wacky rigged or the regular rig using a small jig head:
https://i.imgur.com/PIq22Cv.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/4z6aoIK.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/1ulFiA7.jpg?2https://i.imgur.com/f966r7j.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/jR1Xv4h.jpg
The wacky grub idea came to me by accident. I poured a thin stick using a mold and thought - why not dip it in hot plastic to thicken and enlarge it lengthwise. Here was the first attempt:
https://i.imgur.com/TTXEjVt.jpg
I dug a pond years ago which I've stocked with bass and panfish in order to test lures and lure ideas. I didn't catch fish first time out but did notice the action of the tips on the vertical drop to the bottom. If you've ever watch a Senko drop with the hook in the middle, the tip and body wobbles are what incense bass to strike and my small stick proved superb at catching most fish species.
https://i.imgur.com/MZMRiTc.jpg?1https://i.imgur.com/BAhqWEx.jpg?2https://i.imgur.com/ITEAQBs.jpg?1https://i.imgur.com/5obtoZx.jpg
I discovered by accident that a cone tail cut from a soft stick lure and attached to a grub body caught fish galore!
https://i.imgur.com/UY8BLY0.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/sfKPCCk.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/gRg7OAY.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/7qIP4TH.jpg
First fish ever caught on a cone tail:
https://i.imgur.com/Kqd4TEp.jpg
A small flapper tail can be added to small grubs for enhanced tail action:
https://i.imgur.com/8lcRFU9.jpg?1https://i.imgur.com/BUSObPh.jpg?1
I wouldn't blame anyone using only lures used right from the package they came in, but for my money, modified lures outperform most lures sold and for reasons we may never know. But the proof is in the catching and over 50 fish per day is proof enough for me!
