Making a mystery topwater lure, Making a lure you can't buy

[@EngineeredAngler]

So far I've gotten a few pictures and a few suggestions of what this lure might have been, but nothing quite the same yet. If you gave a lure like this take a picture and email ([e-mail]) or message it to me on Instagram. And share this with your lure collector granpa or buddies, it would be awesome to figure this out.

[@nathankrueger3586]

There was another one at one time found like that but gills angled by head like your talking about but just by head

[@RetroBassin]

One of your subscribers sent me here to help identify this mystery lure. Still a mystery to me, but what year did you fish with it? I have a boatload of vintage fishing catalogs so may be able to track it down…

[@RoggiesRigs]

Man, I was going to message you for this mystery too! Good luck!

[@EngineeredAngler]

It would have been around 1985 but the lure completely diapered from stores immediately after that.

[@thewarpsyrhead]

A subscriber sent you here and now you’re a subscriber 😁

[@billvichi2327]

Your videos are just the best! Appreciate the technical information you supply, clearly and distinctly. Thanks

[@EngineeredAngler]

Thank you

[@EngineeredAngler]

You

[@DaveXGore]

It’s nice to know there’s solid numbers behind lure making. Thanks for all the information you put out Franco!! I’ve made wooden lures for 2 years now, I just gotta try casting one one of these days. Your videos do make me feel like it’s easier than my mind is making it complicated haha. I’ll tag you on my first castings.

[@striperhunter-ic2wt]

I really enjoy this type of video. Sorry I don't recall ever seeing that lure but I'll look through some books this weekend while watching football..

[@FreedomFishing]

Huge factor to getting the density right is having a shop where HUMIDITY is largely controlled, and kept to a minimum. If one simply casts outside in humid environments, their castings WILL fluctuate in densities from casting to casting. Learned this the hard way, and confirmed with the manufacturer that their resin castings are cast in sub 35% humidity. And they use certain methods to get identical castings. Humidity = a less dense final product, and more fragile from my experiences making the same lure about 50 times over and keeping notes.

[@EngineeredAngler]

The humidity in my shop is never below 70% and often above 90%.

[@FreedomFishing]

@@EngineeredAngler Was told its okay for one-offs. But if someone wants to mass produce small batches for resale, with identical weight and action, it's way harder to achieve. Just trying to help those that want to make lures to sell. Its less of a headache to make them as a hobby one at a time, and ballast one at a time, than to ballast multiple lures at once, and put weights in exactly the same locations, and find they differ in action. And I've confirmed it all comes down to humidity. The tolerance level might be small, but it does have an effect on the final product.

[@bonesstones6584]

Oh man, I thought for sure I have the lure you're talking about. I dug it out and while it has some similarities, it has a fin on top and painted gill plates. I recvd a couple of old tackle boxes a few years ago from a guy I used to go kayaking with. They were his dads and contain some interesting and clearly homemade wooden lures. The tackle boxes also contained some cool knives including a pair of antique fishing knives. I'll dm you the pics of the lure I have...

[@jpdutoit4106]

Love every video. Unique angle (!) to the whole lure-making thing. Master classes are my favourites. Any tips to get the most action out of dense wood? I really like the natural grain of hard woods, but don't know what style would be optimal. Thanks again for the great content.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Hardwoods are challenging. That's why so many lures are made of balsa. Higher mass, higher inertia, harder to get them moving.

[@JohnJonelis]

Here's a pattern with the same flat spot at the nose: the Hell Hound. No bubble-making gills but it walks the dog using a steady retrieve (no rod twitching needed). That may be why yours walks the dog. (The Hell Hound is only sold in musky sizes.)

[@JohnJonelis]

In fly fishing there's a pattern using the same theory called a Dahlberg Diver. (Same guy that came up with the Whopper Plopper.) It leaves a trail of bubbles on the surface and triggers strikes from smallmouth bass.

[@ncoutdooradventures6148]

I used to have a lure like youre describing, but I don't remember it having the gills cut in,, or those gills being white. As I remember it, mine was all black with large gold and black eyes. Mine was called a Dalton Special. I think they was made by South Bend. Question - have you tried adding lead shot to your resin mix along with the beads? My thoughts are that the shot would settle to the lowest point of the mold giving you the added weight needed. Of course you would have to redesign the mold,,, but is it possible?

[@RStout59]

Dalton Special was my first thought. But like you I don't remember notched gill. The one I had floated a bit tail down too.

[@Joseph_Brown1986]

You are awesome!!! I love the channel, and don't miss any of your uploads.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Thank you so much!

[@mike1261]

Sure wish I could help with identifying your lure, but in my younger years we never used lures. We either fished with worms on floats for perch & bluegill, or liver & stinkbait for catfish. For marking eye locations, I do something similar. Put a thumb tack in where you want the eye and leave it in place, then align a second thumb tack on the opposite side from all angles exactly as you did with the pencil and press it in. This also gives you the starting holes for a drill bit. Looked at images online but was unable to find anything like your lure.

[@tylercasey1951]

Awesome thank you again for this beginner build! I love vintage lures but I don't like the expense of them. But now I'm able to make them myself!

[@EngineeredAngler]

Glad you like them!

[@orosalsero]

I found a lure very similar, it's called a Tactical Anglers Crossover Stalker Lure sold by "The Surfcaster".

[@EngineeredAngler]

Thanks I'll check it out

[@millervillage6]

But what about the gills? Did they create bubbles? If not, how could you change the design to accomplish that affect?

[@PatLures]

If you have those gills in the opposite direction you might have more turbulance

[@Side85Winder]

Just make a popper style at the front? They are super effective at bubble trails. Extream maybe a jet head, holes at the front to let air/ water in with exit hole on the body. Maybe be creative with fins on the body to drag air down into the water. Either way you want the lure floating then as you twitch it to drag air under so it will slightly dive when worked.

[@robertwentworth7775]

The lure looks alot like a Hubs Chubb.

[@badboymowersofnorman6011]

Your awesome sharing this hobby. Thank you, I hope I get a chance to do some of these.

[@EngineeredAngler]

You can do it!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I don't remember the name but I had a lure similar to that but it had props in the front and back. It floated and made lots of noise and disturbance. I never caught a thing with it, but I don't remember trying very much either.

[@gabrielribeiro1616]

A newer lure that really looks like that design is the "Tactical Anglers Crosover Stalker Mullet"

[@EngineeredAngler]

you're right.

[@kevinatwell9781]

Looks like a Dalton Special without a prop on the back

[@EdRoney]

My immediate first thought is that it is a Heddon Spook lure.

[@JD.California_monkey_mackerel]

Hello happy fishing 🎣 Friday 🎣👍🏽 I enjoy I love your fishing lures my friend can you please make a 1952 and a 1942 inspired luer in memory of my parents please thank you is this luer the W T D top water lure the best top water lure you make a wall back on your older video this lures you made looks like a Heddon Vintage Old Fishing Lure Magnum Torpedo

[@bladedge123]

I’ll check my box, but I’m pretty sure I have the lure you’re talking about. My grandfather gave me everything he had when he passed away so I’ll check and post if I have it.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Send me a photo [e-mail]

[@elkaiozen]

Any chance it originally had a feather terrible the SPRO E PoP skeletal version looks alot like this though my first thought was a jitterbug minus the front hardware

[@EngineeredAngler]

I am pretty sure no prop.

[@1Silverlining]

River2Sea Bubble Popper 88 Tactical Anglers CrossOver Popper Lure Maybe? lol. Love your content, thank you

[@EngineeredAngler]

Close

[@gurufpv8444]

I would love to see some more striped bass lure that are easy to make, maybe a metal lip swimmer? less power tools, or describing a power tool alternative with enough detail for a newbie to attempt would be appreciated as well for the striper lure videos.

[@EngineeredAngler]

Noted!

[@Deekm69]

We just don't have largemouth's in Scotland, it's coming to winter Pike fishing here, can you make me a floating Perch that swims down a mitre or so and post it to me? I'd be more than happy to pay all the cost's. As my mother said " If you don't ask, you don't get) Tight line's buddy!

[@JayLee-od8ob]

Could it be a type of Vixen by Reaction Innovations? They were very difficult to find for many years.

[@EngineeredAngler]

I don't know...

[@swiftbleach17]

Just wondering if you can make a abs plastic lure with the equipments you have?

[@dianabowen297]

My husband has something similar that he has had for years. Unfortunately there is no name on it but he thinks it’s a Cotton Cordell lure. I tried to upload a photo but can’t seem to get it attached. His rattles and has a propeller in the back. Silver metal with a red throat and black back

[@EngineeredAngler]

If it has a propeller then it wouldn't be it...thanks tthough.

[@kamarte]

Not sure if carved gill direction is correct!

[@EngineeredAngler]

You might be right.

[@JD.California_monkey_mackerel]

@D'sTackleBox do you know what luer is this

[@ivanobisello]

Fantastic!!!

[@EngineeredAngler]

Many thanks!

[@BreamAlliance]

lucky you have all the tools

[@mad_monkeys4438]

Johnny Rattler lure from the seventies

[@EngineeredAngler]

Ill have to look into that....

[@armandogonzales9447]

tendrás tus modelos en hojas como para guiarse de las formas

[@EngineeredAngler]

En este momento no pero tengo planes de producirlos

[@ivanobisello]

For sempre the best. Ok.

[@billfranklin5064]

I have one, it’s all gloss black with white accents around gills and eyes. Don’t remember the name as I’ve used it often and is part of my carry bag for saltwater fishing. Need to finish the video to be sure lol. Only 9 minutes into the video but sure looks so far like mine. Mine is not wood so it could be a knockoff

[@billfranklin5064]

Finished the video, that is the lure I have, just no Red paint.

[@EngineeredAngler]

I don't think the original had any red. Can you take a picture of it and send it to me? [e-mail]

[@john20pb]

Try using Google lens with the picture of the lure to see if it will give more info

[@AAE-cg1il]

I hate missing the first bite. It is true……it’s bad luck. How did the little indents do….did they make any bubbles or pop sounds?

[@EngineeredAngler]

The lure leaves a nice bubble trail but its hard to say what is making them.

[@Straight0uttaCrofton]

i got nothing / =

[@kellyoquinn6717]

Johnny rattler

[@EngineeredAngler]

They have tail props

[@Joseph_Brown1986]

@retrobassin