Making Homemade Lures

[smr_hga]

I've been thinking about learning how to make homemade lures. I've never done any sort of woodworking in my life so it would probably be somewhat difficult and really expensive to start but in the long run it's probably cheaper. Also if i ever get good enough i could make some cash off of it as well. But if i am to start something like this i'll need some tips from people who have done this sorta thing. Any advice guys?

[scaleface]

 I made several crankbaits with very little expense. It is time consuming though .You can use any wood , some plexiglass , model paint and some screw eyes .

[smr_hga]

I made several crankbaits with very little expense. It is time consuming though .You can use any wood , some pexiglass , model paint and some screw eyes .

What do you use for the bill, will googly eyes work, and what tools do i need. Thanks lol.

[scaleface]

I used Plexiglass.  I wanted deep divers so I made them way to complicated. Square bills will be much simpler .

 

[smr_hga]

I used Plexiglass.  I wanted deep divers so I made them way to complicated. Square bills will be much simpler .

 

Wow thats pretty cool how did you get the scale effect?

[scaleface]

Wow thats pretty cool how did you get the scale effect?

I bought a cloth from a lure making company . Dont remember the name of it   , and just spray painted over it . I used model paint and a cheap propellant air brush .

[Big C]

Makelure.com has great how-to starter videos.  Jannsnetcraft is great for the actual components.

The best way to do it, is start with topwaters then work your way down the water column.  The further down the bait goes the harder it is to make.

Good luck,  lure crafting is a great hobby to pick up.

[scaleface]

I carved those two out of cedar with an exacto knife, then sanded them smooth .I'm sure there are much faster and easier ways to do it .

[Comfortably Numb]

Why not start with a broom handle or wood dowel. Make a Zara Spook type walking bait. Not much carving and sanding

[BobP]

How you shape and finish out a lure body is purely up to what tools you use or are willing to buy.  You can go all power or all manual depending on how fast you want to do it and what your pocketbook will stand.  I've made hundreds of crankbaits in the last 20 years using a small band saw to cut out the basic shape, a carving knife to begin rounding over the lure, a Dremel tool to do final shaping, and sandpaper to finish the surface.  Paint them with a brush or an airbrush.  What you use only determines how fast the job will go, not how well you can do it.  I suggest you peruse some crankbait building videos on You Tube and start following the Hardbait forum on tackleunderground.com, which is  the premier crankbait building site on the internet.

[smr_hga]

I made several crankbaits with very little expense. It is time consuming though .You can use any wood , some plexiglass , model paint and some screw eyes .

Ok one last question. What thickness of plexiglass do you use. Thanks for everything

[scaleface]

I dont know what size it us. Just some scrap I had laying around ..Hey I have a cedar popper blank that I never finished . I'd send it to you and you can make a popper .

[smr_hga]

I dont know what size it us. Just some scrap I had laying around ..Hey I have a cedar popper blank that I never finished . I'd send it to you and you can make a popper .

Thanks but no thanks. I don't have any paint or anything to make lures with yet.

[mixb7]

I have been making lures for 3 years now and I have learned a lot from the internet, but I first bought an e-book from Kermett Adams which was indespensible on how to do it. You can go to his website ( http://www.klures.com/index.html)and find it there. I have e-mailed him several times and he has answered many questions for me. Big C said it right when "you should start with topwater baits and then move down the water column". Topwater baits are super easy to make and you can hone your skills with those until it's time to tackle crankbaits. They are by far the hardest to make, mainly because you have to get the ballast right, and the bill completely in balance with the rest of the body for it to run right. I know I am still trying to get that correct! There are many guys here on the internet that have figured it out but you really should try some first to figure some things out yourself before inundating someone with questions on how. (I say this only with crankbaits) You have to understand these guys have been tinkering trying to figure out how for many years and for someone to ask after their hardwork could set some off. After saying this these same guys have been enormous in their help on how to do things, I'm just saying try some of the work yourself before asking, that is the fun of it! There are many forums here and videos to learn some things so start there. I hope this hasn't discouraged you but encouraged you to get your hands dirty and give it a try! If it stops being fun there is no reason to continue doing it. You can e-mail me questions if needed and I  will help if I can and if I can't hopefully I can direct you in the right place. Hope this helped.

 

Michael Bruner

Trinity Lure Company​

[BobP]

There are 2 'best choice' materials for making lips:  polycarbonate (aka Lexan) and G-10 circuit board (usually translucent white in color).  I use 1/16" thick polycarbonate or 1/32" thick G-10 for any size bass bait.

[Jaw1]

BobP above is a tackle making gurue that really knows what he's talking about. He is the reason gave up the plexyglass and went to g-10. I'm relatively a newbie after about 6 yrs or so of tackle tinkering but I can say it's very interesting,challenging and fun. Great way to pass the winter which is when I do most of my tinkering. Give it a shot I think it's something you can enjoy however in-depth you take it. Warning though it is addictive

[Bigchunk]

I would say you need a scroll saw or and or a vertical band saw, mounted sanders, if you plan on making money your not foing to be doing it with exacto knife

[Jaw1]

Scrollsaw is a plus and sanders also. Both speed up production but are not required when using balsa. I actually do not like using a scrollsaw,or bandsaw when working with it. If I am using a harder wood or the PVC I use them, but balsa I usually work by hand. If you are trying to do production runs then of course anything that will speed up the process helps. I just build as a hobby when I have the time which I haven't had lately. It helps pass the winter but some people enjoy the build more than the actual fishing

[BobP]

If you want to produce crankbaits in volume, it really takes a dedicated shop full of power machines and a bunch of custom jigs to do it with consistent quality.  Power tools make it go faster but they can't make it go better until after you learn how to build a good crankbait - and that's the real challenge.  I recommend you start with the power tools you can afford and build baits for a few years.  See if you like the process:  the amount of detail work it requires, the design knowledge you need to have, the artistic ability, the amount of patience required.  I've been building crankbaits as a hobby for 17 years with a scroll saw, a Dremel tool, a power disk sander, a carving knife, sand paper, and an airbrush.  I enjoy the process.  I'm still learning.  If I weren't, I'd become bored and give it up.  I know guys who use many power tools and guys who use no power tools.  The tools don't determine how good you can build a crankbait, only how fast.

[smr_hga]

BobP above is a tackle making gurue that really knows what he's talking about. He is the reason gave up the plexyglass and went to g-10. I'm relatively a newbie after about 6 yrs or so of tackle tinkering but I can say it's very interesting,challenging and fun. Great way to pass the winter which is when I do most of my tinkering. Give it a shot I think it's something you can enjoy however in-depth you take it. Warning though it is addictive

Winter??? I spend mine in Disney World! (JK I wish i could but thanks for all the help )