Some Fishing Myths
Myth: Hard surfaced lures hook and hold better than softwood lures. The theory is that a pike or muskie grabbing a hardwood or hard plastic lure cannot get his teeth into the bait. You use the hookset to get slack out of the line. When the fish opens its mouth, the bait will slide into a corner of the mouth, embedding the hooks. With a softwood lure, the fish will sink its teeth into the surface. When it opens its mouth the lure will not slide into a corner and is much more easily thrown.
Debunking Time! The western red cedar I used in my lures has one of the softest
surfaces of any wood used in lure construction. My research shows that black
cherry has nearly three times the surface hardness and sugar maple is over
four times harder. A fish will usually leave a tooth or two embedded in a
cedar bait. In reality, I and many others who have used my lures have found
them to be spectacular hookers! In fact, I have never lost a fish I set the
hook on except for one incident when my line broke. My lures are smaller and
somewhat lighter than most muskie lures and get taken in deep by a fish. I
believe that the softer body and finish, with teeth embedded into it, hangs
around just a moment longer when a fish opens its mouth. That split second
helps the hooks to find a home. The most important thing to remember is to
keep hooks needle sharp! Heavy splitrings also free up the hooks and help
in hooking and holding fish. The myth of hard surface superiority was started
by manufacturers of plastic and hardwood lures to sell baits. I believe a
hard bait is actually more prone to sliding right out of the mouth! When a
fish opens its mouth you usually have no idea what angle or direction the
lure will move.
Myth: The remnants of a hook that has
been cut from a fish will, eventually, rust out. A related myth is that stainless
steel hooks will not rust out.
Debunking Time! A hook left in a fish will fall out long before it has time to rust. The flesh surrounding the hook will become inflamed much like if you have a sliver in your hand or foot. The inflamed area gradually draws apart and the hook falls out. This process, observed in aquarium bass, usually takes about 19 days but can take close to a month.
home | about | jerkbaits | topwaters | bucktails | contact | links
oddballs | oldies | fish pics | tackle