I wanted to see if I could make a lure to catch some local bass.
I had a piece of an old pallet that looked promising. I sketched a shape on it, cut it with a jig saw, sanded the edges and back and tried to make it look fishy.

I liked the weathered wood look, so I rubbed the fresh surfaces with some vinegar that is soaked steel wool in. I cut part of an old picture frame plastic to be a lip, drilled and glued a few split shot for weight, twisted some wire leader into a through wire and added split rings and hooks. I used superglue for the finish so I could get it onto the water.
It tracks and wobbles far better than I anticipated.
It even catches fish.

A fun weekend project.

evading forage fish don't track straight, either.

Looks like the old reliable Rat-L-Trap. Trolling rattletraps and gold spoons both in the lower St. Bernard is a reliable way of catching redfish.

Thanks guys!
I’ve made a couple more.
I’ve added some primer and glued on Mylar and used some markers to try to match the hatch.


I’ve added some flexcote and they’re finishing up. The blue on the lip is just masking tape while I was finishing. Hopefully the bass will be chasing shad schools this weekend.

Very nice. I would imagine catching them on a lure you made is extra sweet.