Hi all,

I broke out my long-unused tacklebox and found that the contents reeked to high heaven. and scuzz had built up on many lures. What are the best ways and products to use to clean up and deodorize old lures and tackle so they don't turn off fish?

Also, years ago I used a scent neutralizer made by Berkley that worked really well for removing odors like gas and other scents. Is there anything similar available that works well?

What types of lures are you trying to clean and restore?

Hard plastic crqankbaits and topwater baits like Rebels, Rapalas abd the like. The Jitterbugs and Hula Poppers are the ones that're crudded up the worst, they have some whitish film built up on them.

I would remove all the split rings and hooks use a disinfectant to clean them after that spray on some fish attractant and let soak for a couple of days when that's finished replace the hooks and split rings and don't forget to disinfect the tackle box as well.

Welcome aboard!  Try putting some hard baits in the dishwasher.  Yep, I said the dishwasher.  It will leave your lures nice and clean.  I saw this tip in Bassmaster.

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the welcome and for the suggestions. I tried the dishwasher just now (it ws the quickest), and the lures look great and smell a whole lot better. Who'da thunk? I'm letting them soak in the cascade solution awhile, and I'll keep ya posted.

Kevin VanDam's Line and Lure Conditioner. You won't believe what it'll do.

Thanks for the welcome and for the suggestions. I tried the dishwasher just now (it ws the quickest), and the lures look great and smell a whole lot better. Who'da thunk? I'm letting them soak in the cascade solution awhile, and I'll keep ya posted.

Sounds good!

Not that it matters much now, but I heard that Berkley did a study of scents that turn fish off, and there is a chemical in dish detergent that was on the list of scents that repel the bass.  I can't remember what the chemical is called though.  I don't think it will matter much with cranks and topwater lures though.  

Good thing to know about detergents - I was concerned about that. I'll check out Dick's Sporting Goods for Kevin VanDam's L & L Condiitioner, it may address that problem.

Oh, the scent killer stuff I mentiioned before was called Berkley Erase - don't know if it's still made. It seemed to work well.

the dishwasher soundes like a good idea but do u think balsas and other wooden baits would be ok in there? bc some dishwashers have some high turbulence that might mess with the paint or event get the balsa waterlogged... never tried so i have no idea but that seems like it could be possiblity if u have expeirence with them please let us know.

I wouldn't even consider putting wooden baits in the dishwasher, I think that would ruin them for sure.

I can't remember, but I think someone on this site recommended WD40 to clean cranks.

I recall reading that ages ago, I believe it was in Field & Stream. Never tried it.

 That "white crud" you mentioned must be a universal thing. Years ago I bought one of those really large metal tackle boxes (opens from the middle with 3 or 4 trays on each side and deep storage in the bottom) with lures at a yard sale. Whenever I've gone back into it for some reason, it had started growing and gets worse with time ...

                                                As Ever,

                                                 Skillet

The dishwasher did the trick. I'm still looking for L&L Conditioner, or something like it.