After you have gone to the trouble of making fishing lures, there is still the problem of taking care of and repairing them so that they are always in good condition. This requires some effort and time but is usually easy for the angler who makes his own lures. Since he made them and put them together, he also knows how to take them apart and repair them. He also has the tools and fishing lure parts necessary for such work.

Fishing lures in general do not require much care when storing them in a home or shop. The best idea is to put them into cabinet drawers or individual boxes so that they can be found easily and can be kept dry.

In humid climates or near the seashore it is important not to expose the metal parts to the air; otherwise, hooks will rust and other metals will corrode. Fishing lures which have feathers or hair should be kept in air-tight containers so that moths and other insects or small animals will not get to them. This also applies to new fishing lures which haven't yet been used.

Lures which have been used require considerable care if you want to get the maximum use from them. Fresh-water fishing plugs usually require less care and repair than salt-water ones. But any plug which is chipped, cracked, or battered can quickly be made to look almost new.

Plugs which are slightly chipped can be merely touched up with a small brush, using enamels or lacquers. But if a wooden plug is badly cracked or battered, it should be given a complete paint job, using a brush and enamel or a spray gun and lacquer.

If you use a brush and enamel you do not have to remove the hooks unless they are to be replaced too. First sandpaper the plug, then paint it with white enamel. Two or three coats may be necessary to cover it completely. Then add the other colors. If you use a spray gun and lacquer, remove the hooks for best results.

Sandpaper the old paint if the plug is not too badly cracked. If it is badly chipped and cracked you can do a better job if you dip the plug in paint remover and then scrape off the old paint or lacquer. After this, you can proceed to spray the wooden plug body the same way as if it were a new plug just being made. When the paint job is finished, replace the old hooks or add new ones.

The hooks on a plug, especially if it is a salt-water type, should be examined closely. If they are only slightly rusted they can be cleaned with steel wool or emery cloth, then wiped with an oily rag. You can also varnish or paint the hooks with black enamel or lacquer to protect them for longer periods.

Spoons and spinners should be wiped dry after using to prevent them from tarnishing or corroding. If they were used in salt water, it's a good idea to rinse them in fresh water, then wipe them dry before storing them away. You can also wipe the spoon, hooks, and connections with an oily rag to keep them in good condition. If the spoons or spinners are tarnished they can usually be polished if you rub them with a metal polish.

In general, when examining any fishing lure you have made it's a wise policy to repair it if you are the least bit doubtful about its condition. If it cannot be repaired, throw it away after salvaging any usable parts. It doesn't pay to take chances with a fishing lure which is weak in any way.

You may hook a record fish and lose it if the lure is not dependable. Many anglers who buy their fishing lures in tackle stores often use them until they fall apart, before buying new ones. But if you make your own fishing lures you can afford to use only those which are in good condition.

With a bit of energy and forethought, your lures can be well looked after, and last a long time. Good fishing!