‘Big Mike’ finds his hand-made jigs are a popular item

Mike Tucker reaches for one of the lures he is creating for a client is his shop on Highway 280. Left, Hand-made lures await purchase in Big Mike’s Baits. Tucker hand paints each lure, using wood recovered from scraps on construction sites. He said no two are alike due to differences in the wood and the airbrush painting. (Cliff Williams / The Outlook)

Fishing has been a life-long passion for Mike Tucker, but here lately he hasn’t had much time to wet a hook.

Tucker’s hobby has grown into a business called Big Mike’s Baits and it has taken off and gained popularity with local anglers. Tucker makes the lures from scrap wood from his full-time job as a contractor.