Another ever growing collection comprises found fishing lures found at the Falls of the Ohio State Park. Most of the ones I’ve found are battered. Fisherman lose these in the rocks and trees.
After the hooks dissolve away, the lures come loose and are free to ride the river. Here’s a sampling of what I’ve come across so far. Over the years, I have used some as elements in my sculptures.
Last two images are details of the lures showing some of the variety in forms and colors. Aside from natural baits (minnows, shad, worms, etc…) and soft jigs, these are examples of lures used on the Ohio River. Most of these float initially and dive once they are reeled in. Depth depends on the lure and speed of retrieval. The good lures that I find I put with my own fishing tackle.
Hey I was wondering what it would take to buy some of these. It would be complete profit for you since you found them and I’d be willing to buy even some broken ones and fix them up. Please email me back dannygonzalezart@yahoo.com thanks
Hi Danny, I do the same thing you do! I fix up the better ones and put them in my tackle box and the rest that aren’t salvageable get used for my artworks. Thanks for checking out my blog and happy fishing wherever you are!
the funny thing about all those lures is they are the worst thing you can use there. The treble hooks snag on every bit of the rocky bottom. Unless they floated down from another spot.
You are right about that. Most of the fish I’ve seen caught down at the Falls were on natural baits. As for the lures…I’m sure many of them floated in from upriver. I think I have twice as many found lures now as shown in my collections photo. Might be time to rephotograph that collection. Thanks for your comment!