Wicked Squid - Mồi Câu (Fishing Lure)

Wicked Squid Fishing Lure  (Yep, this is a squid that swims backwards.)

A one-piece  lure with supports designed in for easy printing.  It prints vertically, reducing layer lines.

This a modified version of the Ugly Smelt with some nice improvements.

• Straightened and shortened the body to give it more hook clearance and a tighter action.

• Added a lateral fin to give the back a smooth and sharp taper.

• Gave the eyes a makeover.

• Created a TPU insert for the line guide to reduce line chafing, "Wicked Squid TPU 3mm X 19mm Lure Sleeve.stl"**

• Created a TPU Stack Bead for better hook spacing with a #2 long shank treble hook, "Wicked Squid Stack Bead.stl"**

**You don't have to make the TPU parts to make this lure work, they are optional improvements to the lure.

Printing Body:  

Use 3 Perimeters (minimum) to really make it water tight, and adjust your Infill for floating or sinking (deeper diving).  

If you aren't getting good bed adhesion, add a single layer of Brim to expand the base 2-5mm.  

You can improve the lures balance and strength by adjusting the Solid Infill Threshold Area (PrusaSlicer-Infill-Advanced).  Adjust the setting to have solid infill stop around the top of the eyes (start at 60mm² and change as needed). 

For a cleaner look, align the seam on the belly with the Seam Tool and set the seam position to "align" under "Layers and Perimeters" in PrusaSlicer.  

PLA or PETG work well. 

Printing the Line Guide Insert and Stack Bead (TPU):

• For good bed adhesion, use a smooth build plate if you have one. 

• Give the bed some heat to hold the TPU better, about 40-45°C. 

• Use Vase Mode for printing, set the bottom solid layers to 4 or 5 layers.

• Print very slowly, set first layer speed to 3-4mm/s and all other speeds to about 4-5mm/s.  Speed is not your friend with tall narrow TPU prints.

• Turn your cooling fan on 100% and keep your extruder temperature at or below the minimum recommend temperature for the filament.  Test at different temperatures manually for good flow.

• You can disable retractions if your TPU is very soft to avoid jamming.

I use NOVA Maker TPU on a Bowden tube Ender printer and it works quite well as long as I print slowly.

Installing the Line Guide Insert:

Put a toothpick into the small end of the line guide insert until it wedges slightly.  Push the insert (with toothpick) into the line guide opening from the back of the lure until it stops.  Hold the insert in place and wedge the toothpick tighter into the insert.  Push on the back end of the insert while twisting the toothpick and pulling at the same time.  The insert should fully seat.  Twist the toothpick and pull to remove the toothpick.

I try to fish with my lures before I upload them but it's winter so I can't really go fishing on the big lake. I'm pretty sure this will work as well as the Ugly Smelt.  I did give it a swim test and I think it swims as good, if not better  than the Ugly Smelt.  I'll update with a fish picture as soon as I use it.

Have a good day and good luck fishing.