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The eyes on some of my lures have seen better days. They've been knocked off or damaged by fish, hooks, etc. and need some TLC. So how do you replace the eyes? Where does one even look for them? Plastic or glass? Any special glue? Other considerations? Would want to replace eyes on both hard plastics as well as softer lures and use them in salt water. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Hobby Lobby, Michael's Stores, and many Dollar Stores carry "doll eyes".

I have no idea how well they will hold up. However, coating them with epoxy should lengthen their lives appreciably. I have a bag of them here that I bought for the very same purpose but haven't had time to experiment yet.

Too many fish, not enough time. richg99

Pretty much any fly tying supplier sells plastic eyes for lures too.

Hook and hackle
Saltwaterflies
J stockard
Terminal tackle.

There are many others

http://www.jsflyfishing.com/hareline-mi ... -lure-eyes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks gents. Will do some investigating and give it a try. And agree that there's "Too many fish, not enough time"!

I used to repair lures and even made some lures 10 years ago or so and found most anything I wanted on the internet, but even back then when a lot of stuff came with free shipping if your order was over a certain amount, the cost always ended up in the red over just buying a new lure. To be honest, it wasn't worth it to me, but if it's a hobby thing, then I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

I hear ya Yaklash! More of a hobby thingy for me. Also been thinking of adding an eye to the back of some lures (like the redfish pattern you've mentioned in other posts - which by the way was the lure I was using when I lost that bull red in the marsh).

Drifting Yak wrote:....been thinking of adding an eye to the back of some lures (like the redfish pattern you've mentioned in other posts - which by the way was the lure I was using when I lost that bull red in the marsh).

One of my favorite topwaters. I was first turned on to that color pattern about 13 years ago. On a single wade along the ditch in the LLM, I watched as a buddy of mine catch 2 reds pushing 27" and a 30" trout (tho she only weighed 6.5 lbs). Why I replace the hooks on all my Baby spooks right out of the box.

Oh...and on the subject or redfish pattern lures, I had never seen them before, but got one on my last trip to FTU, Mirrolure Team, a Catch 2000 - C-Eye Pro Series in the redfish pattern. Sweet!!! Definitely going into the wading box.

One thing you could potentially try is getting some UV cure glue and making an eye in the space. Loon, Solarez and others make various formulations and even colors of glue. I believe nail salon/beauty supply stores also sell UV cure polish and that comes in a million colors. Like Yaklash said, it would be cheaper to just replace the lure, but if you like tinkering with this type of stuff...

Yaklash - I will check out that Catch 2000 C-Eye in redfish.

Karstopo - Never thought about using UV glue or nail polish so will give it a try.

I use http://www.lurepartsonline.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for all of my repairs as well as customizing. Great folks to deal with.

TKFStubb wrote:I use http://www.lurepartsonline.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for all of my repairs as well as customizing. Great folks to deal with.

That's another great place to look. But here's the problem. It's like going thru an old junk yard - hours and hours will go by just looking for stuff - a great problem to have!

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Drifting Yak wrote:

TKFStubb wrote:I use http://www.lurepartsonline.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for all of my repairs as well as customizing. Great folks to deal with.

That's another great place to look. But here's the problem. It's like going thru an old junk yard - hours and hours will go by just looking for stuff - a great problem to have!

.

Right. I took a look at that lurepartsonline.com that Mr. Stubb shared. There is tons of good fly tying materials and tools. Looked like good prices too. I added it to my favorites. Too bad I just ordered fly tying supplies only days ago.