When I first started customizing apex lures with tape, due to the curvature of the lure the tape had a hard time sticking. What I do now is rough it up, then apply a light coat of rubber cement, let dry, and apply tape. then spray on a top coat of clear acrylic gloss.
On the downrigger balls, I rough up the surface, clean with lacquer thinner, cut the tape into 1" squares, then make cuts towards the center of each square so the tape will conform to a round surface. I then top coat it with a product called "flex coat", a clear flexible coating. On dodgers, I just make sure they are clean of grease, and apply the tape.
