Many fishermen view lures as single use. Water, especially salt water, will corrode the lure and slowly render it unusable. But with some simple maintenance, you can extend the life of your lure. Read on, this article will teach you how to clean your lures and how to wrap your lures.
Three steps to clean sea fishing lures:
1: Rinse off the seawater first after fishing and store the wet bait separately.
2: Find a toothbrush and carefully clean the bait with soap or laundry detergent applied to the toothbrush.
3: Find a dry towel to wipe the bait, make sure it is clean and then put the bait in the tackle box.
Detailed Steps For Cleaning Saltwater Lures
1:This step is crucial when you are on a fishing trip. You must use fresh water to wash the saltwater away when you fish. You must be responsible for removing the lure from the saltwater and soaking or rinsing it with fresh water during the trip.This is done to minimize the damage caused by saltwater. You can then grab some paper towels to clean and dry them. As a fisherman, you should take the necessary steps to care for your lures during your trip.
2:It is very important to store wet bait separately. Fresh water causes very little damage to your tackle box compared to salt water. However, there is no excuse for storing wet bait in a shovel ball box with your other gear.You should store them separately on the way home from your trip. Lures that have been used in salt water should not be returned to the tackle box until they are dry.
3:Now, when you get home, you have to do this step. To do this, you will need a toothbrush and a mild soap. You will use both of these items to wash and clean the lure. A regular hand sanitizer or general purpose soap will do the trick.You will need to wet your toothbrush and apply the cleaner to the hard to reach areas. You have to be careful when you clean these spots so you don’t damage the lure in the process. Lures are delicate and can easily break off if you are not careful.
4:The last step is simple. You will need a dry towel to wipe down the decoy. You can use the towel to dry all the hard-to-reach spots inside the decoy. Make sure that all areas of the lure are properly cleaned. After that, you can put the lure back in the tackle box.
Best Soap To Clean Fishing Lures
A good dish soap and water will remove the smell of artificial fish, but salt and grime sometimes require more than just soap.
I have a bottle of CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Preventives under my sink and it works wonders to remove even the most stubborn stains in the bathroom. It works just as well on my shovel ball box and fishing lures. Just lightly apply a little undiluted CLR to a paper towel and rub it on the surface of each lure. Miraculously, the lure is reborn as the rust and grime are released from the surface of the lure.
Start With Your Tackle Box
When it comes to cleaning rusty lures, it actually starts with your tackle box. Because putting a clean lure in a dirty tackle box is a dirty thing to do.
Rinse the box with warm water
Use BKF MORE spray + foam. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it clean.
For stubborn stains such as fish blood, use BKF powder. Make a paste, smooth it over the stain and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Next, scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse and repeat as needed.
How to make your lures last longer
1:You have to fill a container with a mixture of vinegar and salt. You must insert the rusty hooks of your bait into the solution you made and let them stay there for at least 12 hours. After you have removed the remaining rust from the solution, you can scrub it off with steel wool.Now you should soak the rag in denatured alcohol. You must wipe the lure clean with the rag to prevent rust from forming again. The solution should consist of one cup of salt for every gallon of vinegar used.
2:Hooks are not inherently strong, and they can corrode severely over time. Rust can compromise the integrity of the hooks. At this point, it is important to remove and replace the hooks. You can use O-ring pliers to remove a rusty hook.You must replace the corroded hook with another hook of the same size and weight. It is necessary to avoid any future effects on the bait. You can always find the right bait online. If you have a hard time finding the right match, then you can easily look for it.
3:You must keep lures with feathers in an airtight bag. Some lures come with feathers and they should be stored in this manner to prevent damage to the item. The feathers are used to protect the lure from the bugs that try to eat it. You should keep them in the package and remove them only when in use.
4:Tail dipping should be done on soft plastic lures. When a soft plastic lure shows signs of damage, you can often bring it back to life by recoloring it using a tail dip. Most fishermen tend to experiment with several paint colors to study what draws the fish.Tail dips are paints designed for plastic lures. The lure can also be dipped directly into the paint, which you can often do. You can also spray and land on the lure at other times.
5:Another tip for maintaining your lure is to use sandpaper. If your lure is scratched then you can sand and fine tune the lure with sandpaper. It will smooth out the scratch. You can also use paint or enamel to cover it up. You can use a small paintbrush and some paint to fill in the paint job.
FAQ about Clean Saltwater Fishing Lures
Q1: How often should I clean my saltwater fishing lures?
A1: The frequency of cleaning saltwater lures depends on how frequently you use them and the conditions you fish in. As a general rule, it’s recommended to clean your lures after each saltwater fishing trip to remove salt, sand, and debris that can cause damage and corrosion.
Q2: Can I use any type of soap or detergent to clean saltwater lures?
A2: It’s best to use mild dish soap or a specialized fishing lure cleaner. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners as they can damage the paint, coatings, and materials of the lures.
Q3: Should I dismantle my saltwater lures before cleaning?
A3: It’s not necessary to dismantle your lures for routine cleaning. However, if your lures have intricate parts or components that require special attention, you may need to disassemble them carefully for thorough cleaning.
Q4: Can I clean saltwater lures in a dishwasher or washing machine?
A4: No, it is not recommended to clean saltwater lures in a dishwasher or washing machine. The high temperatures, agitation, and detergents used in these machines can potentially damage the lures or their components.
Q5: How can I remove rust from hooks and split rings on saltwater lures?
A5: To remove rust from hooks and split rings, you can use a rust remover or soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water for a few hours. After soaking, scrub them gently with a soft brush or toothbrush to remove the rust. Rinse and dry them thoroughly before reassembling the lure.
Q6: Should I apply any protective coating or lubricant after cleaning saltwater lures?
A6: Yes, applying a thin coat of corrosion-resistant lubricant or reel oil on hooks, split rings, and other metal components can help protect them from rust and corrosion. Be sure to use a lubricant specifically designed for fishing tackle.
Q7:How can I do while fishing?
A7:The bucket puts the bait into a bucket of fresh water and from time to time it is sucked dry with a sponge.