Ugly Smelt Fishing Lure

A one-piece  lure with supports designed in for easy printing.  It prints vertically, reducing layer lines.

Works on many species of fish including Trout, Salmon, Pike, Muskie, and Bass.  You can scale it down for Walleye or panfish.  

For the Trolling version:  Print it out, clip off the supports, add fishing line, hook and beads and  it's ready to fish. 

For the Casting version:  It comes with a custom tool to form the wire, which helps take the guess work out of this build.  Slide the wire loop into the lure and lock it in place with some UV resin or epoxy.  Add a split ring with a hook and it's ready to fish.

Printing:  

• Use 3 Perimeters (minimum) to make it water tight, and adjust your Infill for floating or sinking (deeper diving).  

• Adjust your Solid Infill Threshold Area (PrusaSlicer-Infill-Advanced) to have solid infill stop around the top of the eyes (start at 70mm² and change as needed).  This helps balance the lure and give it strength.

• If you aren't getting good bed adhesion, add some Brim to expand the base.  

• Align the seam on the belly with the Seam Tool in PrusaSlicer for a cleaner look.  

• PLA or PETG work well. 

Note on wire bender:

Use 18ga. (1.0mm) wire or smaller.  

The bender is a length gage for your overall length of wire as well as for bending the legs. Insert the wire through the gage lengthwise until it lines up flush at the opposite end.  Cut the wire flush against the gage.

Insert the wire into the blind hole on top of the gage and bend the wire 180° towards the groove.  Repeat the process for the other end of the wire.  Adjust the wire bends to fit the lure.

Take a look at the "Makes & Comments" section for more information about this lure.

Are you looking for a stick bait with some unique action?  Check out the Drunken Stickleback.

If you like this lure, you will also like the  Wicked Smelt.

Have a good day and good luck fishing.