I was at BPS the other day and seen lure retrievers. The guy behind the counter said you can make them cheaper. He didn't tell me how... What is the best way to make one? Is using a clip and a heavy weight better? Is BPS retriever worth buying in lieu of the headache of making one?

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_52869____SearchResults

That's why I take grandkids fishing--so they can be thrown overboard to retrieve my stuck lures.

I have the cabelas snag master.  It was $10 and has saved many snagged lures.  Definatly worth the investment IMO.

I have had a telescopic aluminum retriever I bought in the early 80s that has saved me thousands of $s.

My dad made the one I use a long time ago.... maybe 87-88. He bent a coat hanger around a piece of dowl, to make the spirals that the line goes through. He dug a small hole about 3/12in long by an 1in wide poured melted lead into the hole and held the hanger in place till the lead set.  (think about a spinnerbait with the skirt bieng lead and spirals where the blade should be). he also has three little brass chains coming out of the bottom, about four inches long or so. tie about 30 or so feet of cord to the wire and there ya go. since we have used it, I can only think of two lures we couldn't get back.

Jim

Either BPS or Cabela's carry expanding split rings to use on lures with a high probability of hanging up. You buy them based on the line size you are using and when pressure is applied, the ring expands and releases the hung up lure. Haven't tried them yet, but I probably will this season. I'm thinking this would be a fantastic application for blade baits!

Also, just going to a single hook vs. treble can and does reduce your hang ups considerably. I do this with a few of my trusty hard body lures which I do not want to lose. And it seems to work!

I purchased a telescoping light bulb changer.  The flood lights in front of my house are 20 feet off the ground, I don't climb ladders any more and for the money it cost it was worth it.  After awhile it dawned on me to attach a large duolock to the end, snap it to the line and follow the line down the lure, only trouble is if it is over twenty six and half feet I can't get it back, hardly any lakes here that deep anyway.  So my light bulb extension now does double duty.

I purchased a telescoping light bulb changer. The flood lights in front of my house are 20 feet off the ground, I don't climb ladders any more and for the money it cost it was worth it. After awhile it dawned on me to attach a large duolock to the end, snap it to the line and follow the line down the lure, only trouble is if it is over twenty six and half feet I can't get it back, hardly any lakes here that deep anyway. So my light bulb extension now does double duty.

This is a new one on me!  Thanks for the tip.  I had heard of a using golf ball retriever but not this.

There's a "how to" article in a recent issue of Bassmaster mag that shows how to make a lure retriever using a piece of copper pipe and short pieces of chain (the type of chain that hold the weights inside old window frames).

There's a "how to" article in a recent issue of Bassmaster mag that shows how to make a lure retriever using a piece of copper pipe and short pieces of chain (the type of chain that hold the weights inside old window frames).

I have made these and they work well.  Be sure to bevel the sharp edges on the copper.  Wheel weights work well.  If you don't have the capabilities to melt lead you can do it with any cast iron utensil and a Coleman camp stove.  Always melt and pour lead in a well ventilated area(preferably outside).

Any idea which month of Bass Master it was in?

In today's market the copper pipe might cost you $1000.00.   ;D

Any idea which month of Bass Master it was in?

I won't be able to check until this evening, but I believe it was one of the last two issues. If no one else confirms the exact month, I will later tonight.

Any idea which month of Bass Master it was in?

I won't be able to check until this evening, but I believe it was one of the last two issues. If no one else confirms the exact month, I will later tonight.

It's in the "Angler's Workbench" section of the February '09 issue.

Thanks!

For some reason I don't get my bass master until the middle to end of the month. I just started getting it in Nov and so far I am not impressed with how slowly I get it.

Oh well. Better late than never.

What about a basic plug knocker? I use a 2 ounce weight connected to a big snap swivel. When I get hung up I attach the snap to my line, hold it high and let it slide fown the line to knock the lure free. Sometimes I have to shake it some or add a second knocker but I almost always get my lure back. Give it a try, its cheap and effective.

Forgive my ignorance or my mental block... what's a plug knocker?

Forgive my ignorance or my mental block... what's a plug knocker?

Simply....a large weight (in various shapes and forms) that slides down your line to "knock" a hung lure off whatever it's hung on.  

I prefer a telescoping pole.  I have had both for years, and I just don't like messing with plug knockers.  A pole gives you direct manipulation of your bait, and IMO, is a lot less of a hassle.  

As always, YMMV.