Maybe I'm the only one who does this, but has anyone else ever found a nice lure along the lake or creek that could be salvaged and used but it's covered in that black gunk?  Does anyone know a good way to remove that black gunk without damaging the finish of the bait?  Scotch pads remove the black stuff pretty well, but obviously remove paint and damage plastic.  I was thinking of maybe soaking it in vinegar, but would love to hear if anyone has any good experience with doing this.

TSP or Trisodium-Phosphate is excellent for cleaning painted surfaces. Phosphate free TSP is also available but beats me, 🤔how that's called TSP😋.

Also good for cleaning metal surfaces too. I use TSP for removal of road grime from my truck, rv, tires and wheels.

Add a little "Dawn" dish soap but make sure ya "rinse well" and "do not let the mix dry", especially on the glass.

Not highly recommended, if you just waxed your ride.😬

Try dipping the fishing lure then scrubbing with a tooth brush. ummm, not your teeth, the fishing lure.😁

Borax is another possiblity.

Pymy and Shenango are great places for fishing lure treasure hunts, when they drop the water.

Good times & tight lines.

Stay warm & think spring.

I've found many lures in the spring after ice out.  Best thing I found was baking soda and then scrub the lure with a toothbrush with the baking soda on the bristles.

Baking soda worked great, though it definitely took down the clear coat. Not exactly a terrible thing but something to keep in mind for the future. Thanks guys... 2 new to me Rapalas.

Depending on the condition of the lures we would use tooth paste or I like using Mr.Clean erasers (also good for cleaning cork handles) I usually replace the split rings & or also hooks.Also then you can spray them with clear varnish or shellac. Like you it makes my day to find a usable lure & breaks my heart to lose a $6-$10 plug. Oh well that is the price that shore fishermen pay.  sam

Good tip on the cork handles!  I'll have to try that.

Beach your boat on any Pymy island.......you'll find all kinds of lures.....I found hundreds of Hot and Tots......no hooks.....clean them up new hooks fish on.Found a few huge musky lure also.

b.t. Finding lost Musky lures is like finding shed antlers. At $20 & up per lure. Makes my day. lol  sam

I hooked into a good musky one evening wading on Pymy wasn't a long fight because he broke me off ....there goes a nice musky plug . Came back the next morning to try again and guess what was floating about 15 ft. in front of me ....he shook it free somehow .....one in a million !

I dunno fellas. I've lost my share of lures so If younz would be kind enough and post up some pictures of those lures, all yall found, I'll be happy to let yall know, if they might be mine. 😁