Good Looks Don't Always Make a Good Lure

I say that because, if they did, some of those custom-painted lures you can get today (got a few of 'em in my box, too) should have fish jumping in the boat. In reality, fish-producing lures sometimes are weird-looking and even can be downright ugly.

Perhaps it's just me, but I really don't care what they look like, as long as they catch fish. And, according to some folks, the strange-looking creations that follow indeed will catch a fish or two.

While artsy lures like this one aren't always great at catching fish, this Blue Gator reportedly is the exception. It looks like a bad dream, but according to some, "The bass can't resist it."

Called a Pudgy Frog, this lure's large front flippers help create friction in the water.

It's unclear what type of fish these bizarre-looking faces are supposed to attract, but the Japanese show great confidence in these lures.

This wooden topwater lure, called the American Woodworker, is great for skipping across the top of the water and attracting bass, musky and pike.

Made from a cork and bottle cap, this lure is aptly called a Booze Bait Cork Popper. It makes a great gag gift but also has been known to hook a few fish.

These eye-catching Japanese lures are great for catching catfish.

This homemade Chipmunk lure is designed to mimic a swimming chipmunk. While some consider the bait a cool idea, the reality is that chipmunks aren't exactly a primary food source for bass, musky, pike, or any other known freshwater fish.

This hand-painted Baby Bull Frog has a single weedless hook in the front that keeps the bait from snagging lily pads. The legs kick back and forth during the retrieve.

The Mushimura surface shaking insect plug is another Japanese innovation. It's made from a special foam combination, and the wings are designed to make life-like ripples as you pop it, shake it, or just twitch it and let it sit.

With a tail prop and wings, this Gatta-X Turbulence bait has a loud, violent and wacky action that's meant to work the surface in choppy water. All the bells and whistles aren't cheap, though. Also made by Megabass, the 3.25-inch lure runs $45.

The Worth Flutter-Fin, as this lure is known, dates back 50 years. It was made from wood and came in a variety of styles and color patterns. Today, they're a collector's item for lure junkies.

With a curve at one end and a hook at the other, this Jake's Spin-a-Lure looks like a metal domino. It's designed to be cast or trolled in saltwater or fresh.

This Spinno Minno was made by Uniline, based in Dallas, TX. The metal spinner in the middle of the body created extra vibrations in the water that were meant to attract fish. These baits now are valuable collectors' items, going for more than $100.

Another unique old-school bait, the Aqua-Bat lure has a compartment under its lip for inserting a pellet that dissolves and emits a gas that causes the bait to swim erratically.

The Bite Lite lure comes with a battery and red flashing light, which is supposed to imitate a bleeding fish. It comes in a kit of three, including a topwater bait, a lipless crankbait, and a diving crankbait.

This battery-powered Alive lure floats on the surface and vibrates to mimic the ripples of an insect's wings. Introduced in 2009, the lure can run for 17 hours on one battery. It's water-activated, so it turns on as soon as you cast.