Fishing Lure Materials Explained: ABS Plastic, Wood, and Metal Compared

2026-05-20 | GD Angling Tackle

When you pick up a fishing lure, you probably don't think about what it's made of. But the material is one of the most important factors affecting how a lure performs — its action, durability, buoyancy, castability, and feel in the water.

Understanding lure materials helps you make better purchasing decisions and helps distributors select the right products for their market. Let's break down the three main material categories: ABS plastic, wood, and metal.

ABS Plastic: The Industry Standard

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is the dominant material in modern hard lure manufacturing, used by virtually every major brand worldwide. At GD Angling Tackle, all of our hard baits are made from premium ABS plastic.

Advantages of ABS

• Precision molding: ABS is injection-molded, which means every lure comes out with identical dimensions, weight, and balance. Consistency is critical for wholesale buyers
• Durability: ABS is impact-resistant and won't crack or warp like wood. It survives strikes from toothy fish and collisions with rocks
• Lightweight: ABS has a lower density than wood, allowing for more internal weight positioning and better action design
• Cost-effective: Injection molding is highly efficient at scale, making ABS lures more affordable for wholesale and retail
• Finish quality: ABS takes paint, clear coat, and holographic finishes beautifully
• Buoyancy control: Wall thickness and internal air chambers can be engineered for precise buoyancy (floating, sinking, or suspending)

Limitations of ABS

• Can chip if struck very hard against concrete or sharp rocks
• Doesn't have the natural "feel" that some traditional anglers prefer
• Difficult to repair if cracked (unlike wood, which can be sanded and resealed)

Wood: The Traditional Choice

Wooden lures — primarily made from balsa and cedar — were the original hard baits. Many classic lure designs (Rapala's original Floating Minnow, for example) were wooden.

Advantages of Wood

• Natural action: Wood has inherent flexibility and resonance that some anglers believe creates a more "alive" swimming motion
• Superior buoyancy: Balsa wood is extremely buoyant, making it ideal for surface and shallow-running lures
• Repairable: Tooth marks and scratches can be sanded out and resealed
• Traditional appeal: Hand-crafted wooden lures command premium prices in niche markets

Limitations of Wood

• Inconsistency: No two pieces of wood are identical. Density, grain, and water absorption vary, meaning lure action can vary between "identical" models
• Durability issues: Wood absorbs water over time, causing swelling, cracking, and weight changes. Sealing helps but doesn't eliminate this
• Higher cost: Each wooden lure must be shaped, sanded, sealed, and painted individually — a labor-intensive process
• Limited for wholesale: Consistency is poor at scale, making wood problematic for OEM production

Metal: The Specialty Segment

Metal lures — typically made from stainless steel, brass, zinc alloy, or lead — serve specific purposes that plastic and wood cannot.

Common Metal Lure Types

• Spoons: Curved metal plates that flutter and flash — excellent for trout, salmon, and pike
• Jigs: Lead or tungsten heads with rubber/silicone skirts — the most popular bait for bottom fishing
• Inline spinners: Metal blade + wire + treble hook — simple but deadly for multiple species
• Jerkbaits: Some heavy jerkbaits use metal internal frames for extra weight and durability

Advantages of Metal

• Extreme durability — virtually indestructible under normal fishing conditions
• Flash and vibration — metal reflects light intensely and creates strong vibrations
• Weight for distance — metal lures cast further, important for surf fishing and large water bodies

Limitations of Metal

• Limited action compared to shaped plastic/wood lures
• Heavier, requiring stiffer rods and heavier line
• Can damage rod guides if not used properly
• Mostly limited to specific lure categories (spoons, jigs, spinners)

Material Comparison Summary

Why GD Angling Tackle Chooses ABS

We use premium high-density ABS for every hard bait we produce. Here's why:

• 100% consistency: Every lure in a batch of 1,000 has identical weight, action, and buoyancy
• Wholesale-friendly: Competitive pricing at scale without compromising quality
• Engineering precision: Internal weight chambers, lip angles, and hook hangers are precisely positioned in every unit
• Durability for export: ABS lures survive international shipping without damage

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