Making glow-in-the-dark lures is easy, very fun, and could be a profitable hobby. Anglers have long known that a considerable attraction getter for fish is the use of light. Light triggers a reflex in the fish that makes them hit it, whether that be the color of the lure or the spinner it has attached. Often anglers are faced with overcoming dark or murky, muddy water to catch the clever little critters. One way many anglers are turning to overcome this issue is glow-in-the-dark lures.
I will not go into great detail about glow-in-the-dark powder and why it glows. Instead, I will discuss how easy it is to make these.
Glow-in-the-dark paint and powder can be purchased from many online retailers. You can buy the paint pre-made or make it yourself.
If you are going to spray paint your lures, such as plastic hard-body minnows or chubs, mix one ounce of glow-in-the-dark powder with three ounces of clear paint. Then spray with an airbrush. Use fine mesh powder. Stir often and use the widest #5 airbrush needle to help slow the clotting. You will have to clean the airbrush good after each use. The green or blue glow powders work best here. They are the brightest and longest glowing. Green around 13 hours and Blue around 4 hours.
If you make plastic worms, use any soft worm plastic and mix the glow powder into it while it is melted. Stir and pour. I suggest letting it cool slightly, not too much, and stirring just before pouring. The glow powder needs to be suspended in the plastic. If you want to add color, add it just before the powder. Go light on the color, so the glow comes through.
It takes UV light to activate the powder, sunlight being the best. So what if the sun is not out? Will your lures still glow? Yes, they will! If it is overcast and UV light is shining down, it will take a little longer for the powder to activate, but it will glow. Some people who ice fish use a small handheld black light. Cheap to buy and works great.
Another fishing item this stuff is good for is painting the tip of your fishing rod for night catfishing. Also, floats or bobbers are made to glow by painting them.
I hope these ideas help in your quest to land the big one. Glow-in-the-dark paint or powder may help.
