Abstract: Hollow lures are ballasted by fluid means to achieve an optimum density for surf casting or trolling so that the lure can stay at the desired level for the game fish to be lured. Such a lure has a means for filling and emptying the body of the lure, to control the density. More particularly, the lure has one or more bulkheads to strengthen the hollow lure and to contain the fluid. These bulkheads may be perforated to any desired degree to control the flow of the fluid fore and aft within the lure. This provides a tail-heavy lure for maximum casting stability, and a level riding lure for its progress through the water. A valve in the body of the lure may also be used to release a controlled amount of fluid--for example a chemical chum--during the progress of the bait-fish lure towards shore.

Abstract: An improved fishing lure is made by forming a first sample lure, without hooks and accessories, in the exact image of a desired bait fish. This first sample lure, however, will have a tail section or portion so thin that it would be vulnerable to damage when being handled out of the water as well as in the water when being taken by a larger fish. The dorsal and other fins would be, similarly, fragile--if they were to project in their normal swimming manner--when the exact image of the bait is formed. The tail portion of the sample lure is cut off far enough up on the body of the fish to find a substantially thick crossection, and any dorsal or other fins that would be too delicate to survive may be cut off too. A new tail portion is formed having the same profile as that of the original sample lure, and is attached to the body of a modified sample lure.

Abstract: Fishing lures are made by molding or casting in a two part mold. The lower part of a mold form is first filled with mold material, and a specimen of bait fish is partially embedded in this lower part of the mold, with suitable means for release of the bait fish if necessary. Appurtenances such as hooks, suitable to the lure, are also partially embedded in the lower part of the mold, at strategic locations along the bait fish, as is a metallic eye adjoining the head of the bait fish. Other devices for filling and venting the mold may also be added at this time. The upper part of the mold form is then filled with mold material on top of the bottom part -- with suitable means for separating the two parts if necessary -- until the bait fish and all of its appurtenances are completely covered. When the mold material is set, the parts are separated, and the specimen of bait fish and all of its appurtenances are removed.