making your own crankbait

[northgabassfisher]

this is something I would realy like to try, but I dont know were to start, what all stuff do I need and were can I find it.

[Guest whittler]

northgabassfisher, it will require very little in the way of tools to make crankbaits, fact is I'll bet you have most of what you need already. If you are just making a few baits for yourself a sharp pocketknife, drill and sandpaper will get you started. Lips can be made or purchased, lexan or circuit board, along with most hardware. Paitning can be done with rattle cans. Be glad to help any way I can.

[northgabassfisher]

Thanks for the tips whittler, but what kind of wood do I need or dose it mader ive heard some people I need balsa, and the lexan is used for the lips right

(or were do you think I can buy some lips and the hardware). and were can I find lexan

angin thanks for the tips  

[Guest whittler]

Balsa, basswood or cedar will all work well to start. When laying out and working on the bait do as many operations as possible while the balnk is still flat, cutting the lip slot and drilling for hardware will be much easier and accurate. You can purchase precut lips from Lexan or circuit board from several suppliers or you can make your own. Most glass shops carry Lexan in 1/16" and 1/8", regular Plexi-glass is to brittle for baits but can be use for testing and practice(cheaper). Some baitmaking sites there is some debate over lexan or circuit board but If the thickness is the same I find no differance in action or durability. If you have a coping saw, sharp knife and some sandpaper you have all you neeed to get started.

[BASSMAN1301599783]

Here is a link for some lip paterns. You can print them out and trace them onto a peice of lexan. I got some lexan at Home Depot. It is more expensive but it is easy to get.

http://www.luremaking.com/catalogue/download/making_crankbait_lips.pdf

Oh and once you start making them you wont be able to stop. Good luck.

[rocknfish9001]

For the best of both worlds, try a coffin style lip instead of a round or square one. Ex. look at a bomber fat free shad.