Hand Carved Fishing Lures
These lures were carved when I was about 12 to 16 years old. I wanted smaller versions of some of the manufactured plastic versions on the market. I fished in local farm ponds and a river near home. There were usually plenty of small bass, bluegill, and crappie in these waters. I did catch fish with these, but not as effective as natural live bait I caught around the yard, garden, or creek. They have been retired for safekeeping.
The basic construction is a block of eastern red cedar with a continuous piece of small gauge wire through the wood body. The wire would form the eye to tie fishing line, as well as the eyelets for the hooks. Spinner blades and lips were fabricated from coffee tin cans. The paint jobs were usually brushed or sprayed model or household paints. I usually spent more time painting, trying to make the lure pretty to my eye.