What Are Fishing Lures Made Out Of?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Chemistry of Soft Plastic Baits
3. Hard Plastics and Synthetic Polymers
4. Metal Lures: Spoons, Spinners, and Jigs
5. Natural Materials: The Traditional Choice
6. Anatomy of a Professional Lure
7. DIY Lure Making: What You Need
8. Comparing Material Performance
9. How Material Choice Impacts Survival Situations
10. Advanced Coatings and Finishes
11. Environmental Considerations
12. Practical Maintenance for Different Materials
13. Conclusion
14. FAQ

Introduction

You are standing on the edge of a glassy lake at dawn, sorting through a tackle box filled with an array of colors, shapes, and textures. Every angler has reached for a specific lure because of how it moves or how deep it dives, but we rarely stop to consider the material science behind that choice. Whether it is the erratic shimmy of a balsa wood crankbait or the life-like wiggle of a silicone worm, the composition of your gear dictates its success in the water.

At BattlBox, we know that understanding your equipment is the first step toward mastering the outdoors. This guide breaks down the specific materials used to manufacture modern and traditional fishing lures, from chemical polymers to heavy metals. We will explore why certain materials are chosen for specific environments and how you can even begin crafting your own. If you want to keep a reliable kit on hand, choose your BattlBox subscription. By the end of this article, you will understand the mechanical and structural differences between the various tools in your tackle kit.

Quick Answer: Fishing lures are primarily made from soft plastisol, hard ABS plastics, various metals like brass and lead, and traditional woods such as balsa or cedar. Modern lures also incorporate silicone, bucktail, feathers, and internal components like steel through-wires and tungsten weights.

The Chemistry of Soft Plastic Baits

Soft plastic lures are a staple in almost every bass fisherman's arsenal. These lures, which include worms, craws, and creature baits, are not actually "plastic" in the way a water bottle is. They are made from a material called plastisol. If you're building soft-plastic rigs or refreshing your tackle, start with our Fishing Collection.

What is Plastisol?

Plastisol is a suspension of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) particles in a liquid plasticizer. In its raw state, it is a milky white liquid. When heated to approximately 320 degrees Fahrenheit, the mixture undergoes a chemical change called gelation. The liquid becomes a clear, thick syrup that can then be poured into molds. As it cools, it solidifies into the flexible, rubbery material we recognize as a fishing lure.

Adjusting the Durometer

The "durometer" refers to the hardness of the material. Manufacturers can change the texture of the lure by adjusting the ratio of resins to plasticizers.

• Soft Blends: These provide maximum action and movement. They are ideal for drop-shotting or finesse fishing where subtle vibrations are key.
• Hard Blends: These are more durable and can withstand multiple strikes from toothy fish. These are often used for swimbaits where the tail needs a specific level of resistance to create a "thumping" motion.

Additives and Scents

Many soft plastics are impregnated with salt or specific scent attractants. Salt is often used as a "filler" to add weight, allowing the lure to sink faster without a heavy external lead. Scents, such as garlic, crawfish, or anise, are often mixed directly into the liquid plastisol before it is poured into the mold. For a deeper look at how lure choice changes with water type, our freshwater lure guide is a useful next read.

Key Takeaway: The flexibility and "life-like" feel of soft plastics come from the precise balance of plasticizers in the plastisol mixture.

Hard Plastics and Synthetic Polymers

When you move away from the flexible worms and toward crankbaits, poppers, and jerkbaits, you encounter hard-body lures. These are designed for durability, buoyancy, and the ability to house internal mechanisms. If you're comparing lure styles for bass, our bass lure guide is a solid companion.

ABS Plastic

The most common material for commercial hard lures is ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). This is a thermoplastic polymer known for being exceptionally tough and impact-resistant. ABS is used because it can be injection-molded with high precision. This allows manufacturers to create two hollow halves that are later ultrasonically welded together.

Polycarbonate

Some lures, particularly the "lips" or "bills" of crankbaits, are made from polycarbonate. This material is much stronger than standard plastic and can withstand the constant impact of hitting rocks or timber on the lake bottom. Polycarbonate is also used for clear-bodied lures because it offers excellent transparency.

Internal Weight Systems

Hard plastic lures often contain more than just air. Inside the hollow chambers, you will often find: For a compact backup rig, the xREEL handline fishing kit keeps hooks, sinkers, and floats together.

• Steel or Tungsten Balls: These act as rattles to create sound or as weight-transfer systems to help with long-distance casting.
• Lead Counterweights: These are placed strategically to ensure the lure sits at the correct angle in the water.

Metal Lures: Spoons, Spinners, and Jigs

Metal lures are some of the oldest designs in fishing history. They rely on flash, vibration, and weight to attract predators. If you want a broader selection of rugged fishing tools, browse the Hunting & Fishing collection.

Lead and High-Density Metals

Jigs and weighted lure heads are traditionally made from lead. Lead is preferred because it has a low melting point and high density, making it easy to cast into small, heavy shapes. However, due to environmental concerns, many modern manufacturers are switching to:

• Tungsten: It is nearly twice as dense as lead, allowing for a smaller profile lure that sinks just as fast.
• Bismuth and Steel: These are non-toxic alternatives often used in areas where lead is restricted.

Brass and Stainless Steel

The blades on spinners and the bodies of many spoons are made from brass or stainless steel. Brass is highly valued because it does not rust and can be plated with silver, gold, or nickel to create a high-visibility flash. Stainless steel is used for its strength and resistance to saltwater corrosion.

Copper

Copper is frequently used for spoons, especially in Great Lakes salmon fishing. It has a unique weight-to-flash ratio and develops a patina over time that some anglers believe is more effective than a shiny new lure.

Natural Materials: The Traditional Choice

Before the rise of synthetic polymers, lures were made from the materials found in the natural world. Many professional anglers still prefer these materials for their unique performance characteristics. If you want a broader look at classic tackle choices, Must-Have Fishing Lures for Every Angler is a helpful companion piece.

Balsa Wood

Balsa is the gold standard for high-end crankbaits. It is incredibly buoyant and lightweight. A balsa lure has an erratic, high-frequency vibration that plastic lures struggle to replicate. However, balsa is very fragile. To make it usable, manufacturers must apply multiple layers of hard protective coatings or "sealers" to prevent the wood from absorbing water.

Cedar and Hardwoods

Cedar and Pine are often used for larger lures like muskie plugs or topwater "walk-the-dog" baits. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant and has a density that allows for excellent casting distance while remaining buoyant enough to stay on the surface.

Bucktail and Feathers

Natural hair and feathers are still widely used for "dressing" hooks. Bucktail (hair from a deer's tail) has a unique hollow structure that allows it to flare out in the water and move naturally even at slow speeds. Marabou feathers are used on jigs because they move with even the slightest current. If you like that kind of adaptable, field-ready setup, Top 5 Fishing Gear Picks for Bushcraft Life Near Water is worth a look.

Anatomy of a Professional Lure

A single fishing lure is often a combination of several different materials working in unison. Understanding how these parts come together helps you evaluate the quality of the gear you buy. We often see this level of complexity in the high-quality tackle we include in our various missions, including Mission 124 breakdown.

Through-Wire Construction

For lures designed to catch large, powerful fish like striped bass or tuna, a "through-wire" is essential. Instead of the hooks being screwed into the body of the lure, a single piece of stainless steel wire runs from the front eyelet through the entire body to the rear hook. This ensures that even if the body of the lure breaks, the fish remains connected to your line.

G10 Glass Epoxy Lips

Some high-end crankbaits use G10 for the diving lip. G10 is a high-pressure fiberglass laminate. It is incredibly thin and stiff, which allows the lure to dive faster and creates a more distinct "thump" as the lure moves through the water. It is much more durable than standard plastic lips.

Split Rings and Hooks

These components are almost always made from carbon steel or stainless steel. Carbon steel is stronger and can be sharpened to a finer point, but it will rust if used in saltwater. Stainless steel is the standard for offshore fishing.

Important: Always rinse your metal lures with fresh water after using them in salt environments to prevent galvanic corrosion between different metal components.

DIY Lure Making: What You Need

Many enthusiasts enjoy making their own lures to target specific local conditions. If you are interested in DIY lure crafting, you will need to gather specific raw materials. For a pocketable backup, the Grim Workshop Bushcraft EDC Survival Card fits the same field-minded approach.

Step 1: Choose your medium. / Decide if you want to work with wood (balsa/cedar) or soft plastics (plastisol).

Step 2: Acquire a mold. / For soft plastics, you can buy aluminum or silicone molds. For wood, you will need carving knives and sandpaper.

Step 3: Prepare the material. / Heat your plastisol in a dedicated microwave or melt your lead in a specialized melting pot.

Step 4: Add color and flash. / Use liquid pigments and heat-resistant glitter to give the lure its visual appeal.

Step 5: Seal and finish. / For hard lures, apply a high-quality clear coat (like epoxy or moisture-cured urethane) to protect the finish.

Note: Never use a microwave for food after you have used it to heat plastisol. The fumes are toxic and can contaminate the appliance.

Comparing Material Performance

The material choice affects every aspect of how a lure fishes. Buoyancy is perhaps the most critical factor. Wood lures sit higher in the water and back out of cover more easily when they hit a snag. Plastic lures are more consistent in weight, making them easier to tune for "suspending" at a specific depth. If you're thinking in terms of action and sensitivity, How to Choose a Casting Rod pairs well with this discussion.

Vibration and Sound are also material-dependent. A metal spoon creates a low-frequency vibration that fish feel through their lateral line. A plastic crankbait with internal glass beads creates a high-pitched "clacking" sound. A soft plastic worm is almost silent, relying entirely on visual movement.

Bottom line: Choose metal for depth and flash, soft plastics for realism and finesse, and wood or hard plastics for specific swimming actions and surface work.

How Material Choice Impacts Survival Situations

In a survival or emergency preparedness context, the materials your lures are made of can dictate your ability to secure food. If you are building an emergency fishing kit, your lure selection should prioritize durability and versatility.

• Metal Spoons: These are nearly indestructible. They don't dry out, they don't melt in the sun, and they can be polished to maintain their flash even after years of storage.
• Soft Plastics: These are effective but can be fragile. In high heat, some soft plastics can actually melt together if they aren't stored properly.
• Jig Heads: Because they are made of lead or tungsten, they are heavy and small, making them perfect for a compact emergency kit.

If you want a compact backup that pairs fishing hardware with field repair tools, the Speedhook - Emergency Fishing & Hunting Kit is built for that role.

Our goal at BattlBox is to ensure you have the right tools for these scenarios. Whether it is a hand-picked selection of versatile lures in our Basic tier or more advanced fishing survival gear in our higher tiers, get gear delivered monthly. We focus on equipment that performs when it matters most.

Advanced Coatings and Finishes

The "look" of a lure is often the result of complex layering. What looks like a simple minnow might actually have five or six different materials on its surface. For more ideas on rugged, field-tested picks, The Best Fishing Gear for Anglers Who Demand Reliability is a good follow-up.

Holographic Foils

To mimic the scales of a baitfish, many hard lures use aluminum or holographic foil. This is applied to the plastic body before the final painting process. It provides a multi-dimensional flash that paint alone cannot achieve.

UV Coatings

Many modern lures are finished with UV-reflective coatings. Fish see into the ultraviolet spectrum, which humans cannot. These coatings make the lure "glow" or stand out in deep or murky water where visible light is scarce.

2-Part Epoxies

The final layer on almost all high-quality hard lures is a 2-part epoxy clear coat. This material is what gives lures their glossy, "wet" look and protects the paint from the sharp teeth of predatory fish. Without a quality clear coat, a wooden lure would quickly waterlog and lose its action.

Environmental Considerations

As our understanding of aquatic ecosystems grows, the materials used in lures are changing. Many states in the US have implemented bans on small lead weights and jigs because birds can ingest them.

Biodegradable Soft Baits

Some companies have moved away from plastisol in favor of water-based polymers or starch-based materials. These lures are designed to break down if they are lost in the water, and they often hold scent better than traditional oil-based plastics.

Sustainability of Wood

While plastic is a petroleum product, wood lures are made from renewable resources. Balsa and cedar are sustainable choices for the environmentally-conscious angler, provided the finishes used are handled responsibly.

Practical Maintenance for Different Materials

Knowing what your lures are made of helps you keep them in top shape. If you're still fine-tuning your setup, How to Hook a Bobber on a Fishing Line covers another essential piece of the puzzle.

• Soft Plastics: Keep different colors in separate bags. The dyes in plastisol are often "migratory," meaning a red worm will bleed its color into a white one if they touch.
• Wood Lures: Inspect them for cracks in the clear coat. If water gets into a balsa lure, it will swell and ruin the action. You can fix small chips with a dab of clear nail polish or superglue.
• Metal Lures: Use a bit of steel wool or a dedicated metal polish to bring back the shine on brass or copper spoons that have tarnished.

Key Takeaway: Proper storage based on material composition prevents chemical reactions between lures and extends the life of your gear.

Conclusion

The evolution of fishing lures from bone and bronze to advanced polymers and tungsten is a testament to the pursuit of the perfect catch. Every material—whether it is the buoyancy of balsa, the durability of ABS plastic, or the high-density of tungsten—serves a specific mechanical purpose. By understanding what your lures are made of, you can make better decisions on the water and take better care of your gear.

At BattlBox, we are committed to delivering expert-curated gear that enhances your outdoor experience. From the basics of emergency fishing to the professional-grade tackle found in our Pro and Pro Plus tiers, we help you build a kit you can trust. For a broader survival-minded setup, explore the Emergency / Disaster Preparedness collection. Adventure. Delivered.

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FAQ

Can I melt down old soft plastic lures to make new ones?

Yes, you can recycle old soft plastics by cutting them into small pieces and heating them in a microwave-safe glass container until they return to a liquid state. Be sure to do this in a well-ventilated area and avoid mixing different brands, as some plastics (like TPE or ElaZtech) do not mix with standard plastisol and can cause a chemical reaction.

Why are some fishing lures made out of balsa wood instead of plastic?

Balsa wood is significantly more buoyant than plastic, which gives the lure a more active, hunting action and a faster rise when paused. This makes balsa lures excellent for fishing around heavy cover, as they can "back out" of snags more effectively than denser plastic lures. For another angle on lure choice, see our bass lure guide.

Is tungsten really better than lead for fishing lures?

Tungsten is about 70% denser than lead, which allows manufacturers to make a lure that is much smaller but weighs the same as a lead equivalent. This smaller profile helps the lure sink faster and move through thick vegetation more easily, while the hardness of the metal provides better "feedback" or sensitivity when it hits the bottom. For a deeper look at rigging, How to Set Up a Fishing Hook and Weight is a practical companion.

What is the most durable material for a fishing lure?

For hard baits, ABS plastic is generally the most durable due to its high impact resistance and consistent manufacturing. For jigs and spoons, stainless steel and plated brass are the most durable as they are resistant to both physical damage and corrosion from saltwater. If you want more fishing-first gear, The Best Fishing Gear for Anglers Who Demand Reliability is a good next step.