Master Pike Painting: Lure Patterns And Techniques

Painting a pike pattern on a lure is a great way to attract pike in areas where they are the prevalent gamefish. In this article, we'll be guiding you through the process of painting a pike pattern on a lure, with some additional tips and tricks to make your lure look as realistic as possible. So, whether you're a beginner or an experienced lure painter, read on to learn how to create an effective and attractive pike pattern that will have you reeling in those pike in no time!

Using an airbrush and hair dryer to paint the pike pattern

Painting a pike pattern on a lure can be done in several steps using an airbrush and a hair dryer. Firstly, it is important to prepare the lure body. This involves sealing the body with epoxy to protect it from moisture and applying a base coat of white primer. The next step is to add a foundation layer of black acrylic ink, which prevents the white primer from showing through when shades of green are added later.

After applying the base layers, you can start to create the pike pattern. Using a piece of scale netting, spray white paint lightly onto the lure body to create a scale pattern. The paint should be thinned down to prevent the scales from being too dominant, and it should dry almost immediately. A hair dryer can be used to speed up the drying process. Once the white paint is dry, you can add some gold scales, again using the scale netting. After the gold paint dries, remove the netting and spray more paint onto the back and sides of the lure.

To create the stripes of a pike, adjust the pressure of the airbrush down to 12-15 PSI to create a light dusting of paint. Use a comb as a mask to create subtle vertical stripes on the sides of the lure. You can also use a white acrylic marker to draw stripes on the side of the lure, which helps mimic the colouring of a juvenile pike.

In between each layer of paint, use a hair dryer to heat set the paint and speed up the drying process. This will help to prevent any problems with the paint and ensure a smooth finish.

Spraying black on the lure body

To start spraying black on the lure body, use an airbrush to apply black acrylic ink or paint. Make sure to cover the entire lure body, including the back and the area where the eyes will be located, while avoiding the belly area. This step may require alternating between the airbrush and a hair dryer to ensure quick drying and prevent any issues with paint running or sagging.

After spraying the black ink or paint, you can use a piece of scale netting to add a scale pattern to the lure body. This adds realism to the lure. Thin white paint is sprayed over the netting, creating a subtle scale pattern. The paint should be applied lightly to prevent the scales from being too prominent.

Once the white paint is dry, you can enhance the lure's realism by adding gold scales. This can be done by spraying gold paint over another piece of scale netting. Remember to dry each layer of paint thoroughly before moving on to the next step.

Finally, you can darken the back of the lure with an additional layer of black paint. Once this final layer of paint is dry, apply a topcoat of epoxy to protect the paint job and ensure its longevity. Allow the epoxy to harden completely before installing hooks, split rings, and any other necessary hardware.

Using scale netting to paint the scale pattern

Using scale netting is an effective way to create a natural and realistic scale pattern on your pike lure. This method involves a few steps and some careful work, but the results add a lot of realism to your lure. Firstly, you will need to prepare your lure body with a base coat of paint. White is a good option, as it provides a good foundation for the scale colours and can be shaded to create depth. This base coat should be allowed to cure overnight for the best adhesion. The next step is to apply the scale netting or mesh, which will form the scale pattern. Wrap the netting around the lure, securing it in place with clothespins or alligator clips. It is important to keep the netting slightly away from the body of the lure, using it more as a screen than an integral part of the lure.

Now, you can begin to apply the paint for the scales. Thin the paint down to prevent the scales from being too bold and spray it onto the netting very lightly. The paint should dry almost immediately, and you can use a hair dryer to speed up this process if needed. It is important to ensure the paint is dry before removing the netting, as this will help prevent any paint from being pulled off with the netting. For this reason, it may be beneficial to heat-dry the paint with the netting still in place and then remove the netting once dry. After the white scales, you can add some gold scales in the same way, creating a stunning, realistic effect.

Once the scale pattern is complete, you can bring your lure to life with some translucent paint, adding colour and depth. Finish the lure with an epoxy clear coat to make the colours pop and add a protective layer of resin to preserve your artwork.

Spraying the lure with green paint

When spraying the lure with green paint, it is important to remember to spray lightly and to use a fairly transparent shade of green. This is because you want the previously painted scales to continue to show through. You will want to spray the back and sides of the lure with green paint.

After the green paint has been applied, you will then spray the back of the lure with black paint, as well as the area where the eyes will be located. This adds depth and definition to the lure, helping to create a more realistic appearance. It is important to be precise and careful during this step to avoid any unwanted paint overlap.

Once the black paint has been applied, you can then use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process if needed. This helps to prevent any issues with paint running or sagging, ensuring a smooth and professional finish. At this stage, the lure is starting to take on the distinctive features of a baby pike, with the green and black paint adding to the overall realism.

Before moving on to the next steps of adding the eyes and stripes, it is important to ensure that the green and black paint is completely dry. This may require multiple passes with the hair dryer or simply allowing it to air dry for a longer period of time. Taking this extra precaution will help ensure that the paint job is durable and long-lasting.

By following these steps and carefully spraying the lure with green paint, you are creating a realistic base for the pike pattern. This subtle use of colour and transparency will help to mimic the natural appearance of a juvenile pike, making your lure more effective and attractive to your target gamefish.

Drawing stripes on the lure with a white acrylic marker

Painting a pike pattern lure is a less commonly discussed lure-making technique, but it is useful for anglers in areas where pike are the prevalent gamefish. Paul Adams, an experienced craftsman, demonstrates that painting a pike pattern lure is not as difficult as some might think.

After preparing the lure body, spraying on the base coats, and adding the black, green, and white foundation layers, it is time to grab a white acrylic marker and draw some stripes on the side of the lure. This step helps to mimic the colouring of a juvenile pike more accurately, which is important because pike lures are designed to resemble juvenile Northern Pike. The stripes are a key part of the pike pattern, distinguishing it from the more popular patterns like bluegills, baby bass, and perch.

When drawing the stripes, it is important to be careful and precise to ensure they are straight and evenly spaced. Starting from the belly of the lure, use the white acrylic marker to draw a thin, straight line upwards towards the back of the lure. Repeat this process, spacing the stripes evenly apart, until you have drawn 3-5 stripes on each side of the lure. Allow the paint to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

The white acrylic marker is a convenient tool for adding fine details and creating a more realistic pike pattern. It allows for more control and precision compared to spraying paint, making it easier to draw straight stripes. The opacity of the white acrylic paint also helps the stripes stand out against the darker background, creating a more effective lure.

By following these steps and taking your time, you can successfully draw stripes on your pike lure using a white acrylic marker. This will enhance the realism of your lure and increase your chances of success on the water.

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