For beginners and experienced anglers alike: soft plastic lure modification rules!

[senkosam]

For beginners and experienced anglers alike: soft plastic lure modification rules!
Note: the following symposium has points and photos that may have been posted in the past.

In winter and when I can't fish, I mess around with soft plastics. Modifications are easy enough using a candle flame, a steady hand and a bit of imagination. When it comes to colors, I make and use lures in colors that do well for certain lures because they are pleasing to the eye - not necessarily the fish's (more on that later). Most important is being able to catch more species of fish in a range of sizes.

What do lures of any kind resemble as regards prey that some insist a must when choosing lures? I couldn't tell you nor do I nor the fish care what they resemble. Most important for any good lure to consistently catch fish is:
right action
right shape
right size
color*
right presentation (retrieve speed and type of retrieve)
and I bunch of other misc. lure related factors

Once I made my first - what I call a hybrid lure - did I apprecaite the significance of lure action-by-design! Believe me when I say that the number of lure shapes and actions that can catch all sizes and species of fish is totally amazing!!! In fact, anyone can copy the examples I show and be sure they will catch fish first time out. Note: It pays to see what the lure's action is in the water, especially after fish are caught. Lure action is at the top of the least when it comes to being one of the best.

Here are some examples - some given cute names for my photo log folders of specific shapes and therefore action:
light bulb - part a grub melted on to another grub. Its action is a erratic waddlewhen the rop tip is twitched. The chartreuse color in this example enhances lure shape and action.