The future of fishing is here—and it’s being printed, not purchased. One inventive Texas angler is proving that innovation and a bit of tech-savvy thinking can revolutionize how bass are caught.
Meet Goya Lin, a Texas fisherman who designs and 3D-prints his own fishing lures. His latest creation, a lure mimicking a line of ducklings, has proven surprisingly effective at attracting largemouth bass. But the journey to success wasn’t quick or easy. Lin spent over two years and made more than 500 casts to refine his prototype. Throughout the process, he’s documented his progress on YouTube, building a community of fans curious about his high-tech approach to an age-old sport.
In an interview with Outdoor Life, Lin humbly admitted, “I will not say I’m an expert, but I do like to try new things.” Inspired by fly fishing techniques commonly used for trout, Lin brought that same DIY mentality into the world of bass fishing.
“I was surprised that in bass fishing, people usually just buy their baits from the store,” Lin noted. “I thought maybe I could bring that mindset from fly fishing into bass fishing in Texas.”
His adventure began in 2020 when he purchased a 3D printer. That decision sparked a creative journey. Using design software, Lin began crafting custom lures tailored to his fishing goals. To share the thrill of the catch—and connect more deeply with his children—he started filming his fishing trips and posting them online.
“That excitement I have when I catch a fish? I wanted to capture that,” Lin explained. “I thought I might watch it later down the road to remind me. I also wanted to connect with my kids. Nowadays, kids don’t talk to their parents a lot, but they do watch a lot of videos.”
Interestingly, Lin’s bass-catching duckling lure was initially inspired by an alligator sighting. While hoping to catch a gator, he thought about what might attract one—and the idea for a baby alligator-style bait was born. Though the gator eluded him, the lure turned out to be irresistible to largemouth bass.
Lin describes the process as an ongoing evolution. “It’s an iterative process. I just kept improving everything until it came together. It’s still not perfect,” he said.
For Lin, 3D printing has not only elevated his fishing game but has also allowed him to build a deeper relationship with fellow anglers online.
“People look at the tools and feel intimidated by them, but they should just take the first step,” Lin encouraged. “There is always a first step. If you try it and like it, you take more steps and get better. The internet is your best friend. If you don’t know how to do something, just do a search. Most of the time, you will find an answer.”
Image/Source: WOS
