How to Use Old Fishing Tackle in 8 New Ways
By Debbie Hanson
May 27, 2016
Wondering what to do with your old fishing tackle? You don't always need to part with your favorite fishing lures, bobbers, and nets. Check out these creative ways to reuse or recycle tackle!
Do you have a collection of old fishing tackle that's starting to take up too much room? Can't bear to part with it just yet? You don't have to get rid of it, just recycle it using these creative fishing tackle ideas!
2. Shadow Box. Have fond memories of one or two fishing trips that were extra special? Maybe it was a trip to a particular lake where you caught your biggest fish or a weekend when you took the whole family to a beautiful fishing destination? Use an old lure from the fishing trip, an assortment of photos, and newspaper or brochure clippings from the trip to create a shadow box or memory box that includes items you used or picked up on your fishing adventure.
3. Place Cards. Are you helping to plan a birthday party or wedding for someone special who loves to fish? Create event place cards using fishing bobbers, ribbon and small paper tags or cards for the occasion.
4. Hurricane Candle Holder. Decorate the inside of a glass hurricane candle holder with smooth stones, sand or pieces of driftwood. Then, add a few pieces of old metal fishing tackle items, such as swivels or lures, around the inside of the candle holder. Remove all hooks from the fishing lures using split ring pliers for safety.
5. Decorative Photo Frame. Decorate a wooden picture frame using old fishing tackle and bobbers. Again, just remember to remove any fish hooks before using a glue gun to attach the tackle to your picture frame.
6. Fishing Net Lure Display. Clean an old net by dipping it in a bucket of warm soapy water and scrubbing with a toothbrush to remove any debris. Once dry, hang the net on a wall. Add old fishing tackle or lures to the net as a display. Don't forget to crimp or remove the fish hooks.
7. Bobber Wreath. Collect all of the round freshwater fishing bobbers you have in various sizes, and then use a glue gun to attach them to a styrofoam ring (found at most craft or hobby stores). When all of the bobbers have been glued into place and the glue is dry, tie a burlap or raffia bow to the top of the wreath to give it a rustic or vintage look.
8. Fishing Lure Charm Necklace. Remove the hooks from a favorite fishing lure and add it to a charm necklace. A unique lure necklace can be a great conversation starter -- particularly if the lure helped you land one of your bucket list fish a few years ago or if it inspires you to tell a story about the one that got away.
Once you've recycled your old fishing tackle, you may want to think about trying a few new types of lures or techniques. Learn about other types of fishing tackle and different techniques that will help you catch more fish.
Ways to Recycle Your Fishing Tackle
1. Fishing Lure Keychain. Use a pair of split ring pliers to take the hooks off of a favorite old lure, and then recycle it by attaching it to a key chain. Every time you look down at your keys, you'll be reminded of all the great catches you reeled using that fishing lure.2. Shadow Box. Have fond memories of one or two fishing trips that were extra special? Maybe it was a trip to a particular lake where you caught your biggest fish or a weekend when you took the whole family to a beautiful fishing destination? Use an old lure from the fishing trip, an assortment of photos, and newspaper or brochure clippings from the trip to create a shadow box or memory box that includes items you used or picked up on your fishing adventure.
3. Place Cards. Are you helping to plan a birthday party or wedding for someone special who loves to fish? Create event place cards using fishing bobbers, ribbon and small paper tags or cards for the occasion.
4. Hurricane Candle Holder. Decorate the inside of a glass hurricane candle holder with smooth stones, sand or pieces of driftwood. Then, add a few pieces of old metal fishing tackle items, such as swivels or lures, around the inside of the candle holder. Remove all hooks from the fishing lures using split ring pliers for safety.
5. Decorative Photo Frame. Decorate a wooden picture frame using old fishing tackle and bobbers. Again, just remember to remove any fish hooks before using a glue gun to attach the tackle to your picture frame.
6. Fishing Net Lure Display. Clean an old net by dipping it in a bucket of warm soapy water and scrubbing with a toothbrush to remove any debris. Once dry, hang the net on a wall. Add old fishing tackle or lures to the net as a display. Don't forget to crimp or remove the fish hooks.
7. Bobber Wreath. Collect all of the round freshwater fishing bobbers you have in various sizes, and then use a glue gun to attach them to a styrofoam ring (found at most craft or hobby stores). When all of the bobbers have been glued into place and the glue is dry, tie a burlap or raffia bow to the top of the wreath to give it a rustic or vintage look.
8. Fishing Lure Charm Necklace. Remove the hooks from a favorite fishing lure and add it to a charm necklace. A unique lure necklace can be a great conversation starter -- particularly if the lure helped you land one of your bucket list fish a few years ago or if it inspires you to tell a story about the one that got away.
Once you've recycled your old fishing tackle, you may want to think about trying a few new types of lures or techniques. Learn about other types of fishing tackle and different techniques that will help you catch more fish.
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.
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