Balsa wood lures

Types of Balsa Wood Lures

Balsa wood lures are popular among anglers because they offer a unique combination of buoyancy, lightweight and ability to create realistic swimming actions in the water. They are especially renowned for their effectiveness in freshwater fishing, particularly for species like bass, pike and trout.

Below are the different types of balsa wood lures:

• Crankbaits

  These lures are demarcated by their ability to provoke a reaction from fish. They have a deep diving lip that makes them capable of making erratic and hard vibrations underwater. These vibrations are what triggers the predatory fish to strike. Ideally, crankbaits are most suited for targeting fish species that respond to a strong movement or a change in their environment. These types of lures can be used in waters that are both clear and murky.

• Shallow-Runner Lures

  These are a subset of crankbaits that are specifically designed to dive to a shallow depth, typically within a range of 1 to 5 feet, when cast into the water and retrieved. Their primary target is fish species that inhabit shallow water areas. They are usually found in places such as weedy flats, shallow bars, or areas with submerged structures.

• Deep-Water Runner Lures

  These are similar to crankbaits; however, they are specifically designed to reach greater depths when in water. They have a meticulously engineered lip or bill that enables them to dive deeper, reaching up to 15 feet or more, when cast and retrieved in water.

• Topwater Lures

  These lures are designed to attract fish to the water's surface. They create splashes, gurgles, or walking motions that mimic distressed prey. When using these lures, anglers create the suitable amount of commotion on the lure's surface to trigger strikes from predatory fish lurking beneath.

• Suspending Lures

  These are designed to remain in a particular position or depth in the water after being retrieved, without sinking or floating back up. They are capable of mimicking the movement of injured or sick prey, which triggers predatory fish to strike. These lures are particularly useful in areas where fish are suspending at a certain depth, such as in deeper water, around structures or during colder seasons.

Scenarios of Balsa Wood Lures

Balsa wood lures are versatile fishing tools used in various fishing scenarios. Here are some common usage scenarios.

• Shallow Water Fishing:

  Balsa wood lures are typically employed in fishing activities carried out in shallow waters. Their tendency to float and their ability to easily dive into shallow depths make them suitable for this environment. They can be used to provoke predatory fish species that frequently inhabit shallow water zones and tend to be found close to the surface. These lures are particularly effective in areas with structures like submerged logs, weeds, or rocks, as they can be maneuvered around these obstacles to simulate injured prey, attracting fish to strike.

• Freshwater Fishing:

  These lures are particularly useful in freshwater fishing. They can be used to target a range of predatory fish species such as bass, pike, musky, trout, and walleye. The balsa wood lure's natural movement and diving ability imitate the look of injured baitfish, which is often irresistible to these fish. They are also suitable for a variety of freshwater environments including lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Additionally, balsa wood lures can be used to attract fish in both calm and turbulent water conditions.

• Deep Water Fishing:

  Balsa wood lures can also be used in deep water fishing. They are designed to dive deeper into the water column, making them suitable for targeting fish species that inhabit deeper water levels. The lures' ability to mimic the movement of baitfish at different depths can trigger a strike from predatory fish. They are also useful for trolling as they can be pulled behind a boat at varying depths to cover a larger fishing area.

• Versatility:

  Balsa wood lures are versatile and can be used in different fishing scenarios. They come in various sizes, shapes, and diving depths, making them suitable for targeting different fish species and adapting to different fishing environments. Whether it's freshwater or saltwater fishing, shallow or deep water fishing, balsa wood lures are a reliable and effective fishing tool.

How to Choose Balsa Wood Lures

Choosing the right Balsa wood lure is not as easy as it seems. It requires some expertise to know the right lure for the right fishing situation. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a balsa wood bait.

• Wooden Balsa Lure Size and Color: Color and size are primary factors to consider when choosing a Balsa wood lure. In most cases, the perfect size should be a size that matches the size of the fish's prey. Take note that fish often eat smaller prey after a growth spurt. Also, bright colors and big lures are great for murky waters, while dull and small lures are great for clear waters.
• Fish Species: Another important thing to consider is the fish species one intends to catch. This is because different fish species respond to different lures. For instance, bass will be more attracted to lures that have erratic motions and larger sizes, while panfish will be more attracted to smaller and subtle lures.
• Wooden Balsa Lure Depth: The depth of the balsa wood crankbait is also important and must be considered. No doubt, fish often swims in different depth levels in a water body. Therefore, having a bait that can be cast to the bottom, mid-level, and surface level of the water is essential. Most lures come with a running depth specification; ensure to check it out before making a choice.
• Wooden Balsa Lure Action: The action of the balsa wood lure is also important. A balsa wood lure is designed to either swim or dive underwater. The action of the lure should be determined by the type of fish to be caught and the condition of the water. For example, in clear water, a wooden Balsa lure with a natural action will be more effective.

Functions, Features and Design of Balsa Wood Lures(Combined)

Balsa wood lures come in different designs, each tailored to specific fishing needs and conditions. Here are some common designs, along with their functions and features:

• Deep-Diving Crankbaits

  These lures are characterized by a longer bill, which is made from either polycarbonate or glass. This enables the lure to dive deeper when trolled or cast. They are often designed to imitate the movements of distressed baitfish. This is achieved by incorporating a hard-wobble and an erratic swimming pattern. These lures are primarily used for targeting fish species that live in deeper waters.

• Shallow-Diving Crankbaits

  These lures have a shorter or no diving bills, making them suitable for use in shallow water areas. They have a similar design to deep divers in that they also mimic distressed baitfish. Additionally, they come with a hard-wobble and erratic swimming motions. They are useful for triggering strikes from predatory fish that hunt for prey in shallow water.

• Topwater Lures

  These lures are designed to float on the water's surface. They create sounds and disturbances that draw the attention of predatory fish to the lure. They come in various designs, with some featuring a popping mouth, while others are designed to look like gliding baitfish. They are commonly used in situations where fish feed on prey on the water's surface.

• Swimbait Lures

  They are designed to resemble larger prey fish. They often come with a lifelike swimming motion that mimics the movements of naturally occurring baitfish. These lures are primarily used for targeting larger predatory fish. They may feature jointed bodies to enhance their realistic swimming action. Also, some are made with soft plastic tails to improve their swimming motion.

• Jerkbait Lures

  These lures are designed to induce a jerking retrieval motion that creates an erratic swimming pattern. This triggers predatory fish to strike. They often come with a slender, elongated body designed to imitate injured baitfish. Additionally, some are designed to suspend in the water after an intense jerking motion. These lures are used for fishing in both deep and shallow waters during cold weather.

Q&A

Q: What is a Balsa wood lure?

A: Balsa wood lure is a bait manufactured from Balsa wood. It is primarily used for fishing. The Balsa wood is a soft, lightweight, and highly buoyant wood that, when carved into a fish replica, creates an ideal lure that mimics the movement of a prey, triggering a predatory response from fish.

Q: What are the different types of Balsa wood lures?

A: Balsa wood lures come in different types, such as crankbaits, topwater lures, and jerkbaits. Each of them has its unique characteristics and designs that make it suitable for specific fishing situations.

Q: What is a jerkbait Balsa wood lure?

A: A jerkbait is a suspending or shollow diving fish replica made of balsa wood that is designed to provoke a predatory strike in deeper or cooler water. Anglers make the bait's movements look like that of a dying or injured prey by pulling it at intervals with a rod. It is more suitable for fish species that feed on bigger prey.

Q: What is a crankbait Balsa wood lure?

A: A crankbait is a deep or shallow diving fish replica of a bait that is designed to trigger a strike from fish by making themstrike the bait hard. To make the bait more appealing to fish, anglers pull the bait with a reel, causing it to move in a zig-zag pattern. This bait is suitable for fish that feed on smaller prey.

Q: What is a topwater Balsa wood lure?

A: Topwater balsa wood lures are designed to generate enticing commotion or splashes on the water surface when the angler retrieve them. They are suitable for fish that feed on prey located on the water surface.