Lure Design

An article presented by Alamo Lure Co.

Lure specifications presented on this website include a few fundamental terms of a lure’s behavior in the water.  Please note that we assess a lure’s behavior based upon “standard conditions”, which can best be described as a normal retrieve with conventional tackle.  Differences in retrieve speed, line size, casting distance, rod & reel used, and many other variables will change a lure’s predicted behavior.

Foremost is a lure’s action in the water.  As described in the figure below, lure action can be measured in frequency and amplitude.  Simply put, “frequency” is number of “wobbles” in a given distance of travel.  “Amplitude” the amount of “wobble”, or how “wide” the lure wobbles.  Frequency is scaled in terms of high-medium-low, while amplitude is scaled in terms of narrow-normal-wide.

Now, a word about the description of “action”…basic action covered in this section is that of the “classic wobble”.   A wobble refers to a side to side movement, and generally includes somewhat of a rolling action.  That is, in the cycle of the lure exchanging directions as it moves forward, it may also rotate somewhat along its longitudinal axis.  A lure that exhibits a more pronounced rotation may be classified as “roller” instead of a “wobbler”.  Even the degree of wobble may place a lure in another classification, such as “twitcher”.   A “twitch” is nothing more than a tighter (higher frequency / lower amplitude) wobble.  And furthermore, an extremely high frequency / very low amplitude is described as a “vibration”.  On the other end of the spectrum is the classification of "searcher" or “walker”, where the lure behaves in a very low frequency / high amplitude action, as if to mimic a baitfish that is disoriented or injured.  The bottom line is that lure action and classification has general guidelines, but in the end is subjective to one’s judgment.

Secondly, a lure’s “dive ratio” is used to describe behavior.  Dive ratio is the amount of travel required for the lure to reach its optimum depth.  A lure that is slow diving has a wide ratio, while a rapid diving lure has a narrow ratio.   Generally, "jerkbaits" with shorter bills oriented at wider angles have wider dive ratios.  "Crankbaits", on the other hand, with longer bills oriented at sharper angles have more narrow dive ratios.

Buoyancy is the most common classification for lures, and unfortunately for most lures, the only classification advertised.  Buoyancy is described in terms of high-medium-low, which are use to describe the rate at which the lure rises to the water surface.  A balsa wood lure has a high buoyancy, while a more dense wood has a low buoyancy.  A sinking lure is described as having a negative buoyancy, while a lure with a neutral buoyancy neither sinks nor surfaces.

A word about “neutral buoyancy"…it is often a sought after attribute, where the lure “suspends”, neither sinking nor surfacing once submerged.  However, a truly neutral lure in fresh water will not be so in salt water, or even in “muddy” water.  Even changes in line size can affect a lure’s neutrality.  Lure manufacturers strive to weight some lures to neutrality, but a lure still may not be neutrally buoyant in your home waters.  A quick fix is to change the hooks with lighter or heavier hooks until the desired effect is achieved.

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