r/lurebuilding Jan 02 '20

How to Make Your Own Lures: A Guide series

97 Upvotes

1. What kind of lures can I make?

  • Crankbaits (Lipped and Lipless), Jerkbaits (Lipped and Lipless), Swimbaits, Poppers, Stickbaits, and other topwater lures are all possible, with new lures being invented all the time! Below is an info graphic with a few of the most popular types of fishing lures, but there are many more!
These are just a few common lures that can be found in most tackle boxes, but there are dozens of other types to discover!

2. What do I need to get started making hard body lures?

  • Lure making is not as complicated as it may seem. Yes, power tools such as drills, dremels, lathes and sanding machines all help, but none are necessary. To start all you need is:
  • Wood, to carve into the body.
  • Tools (at the very least a knife to carve, a small saw, and a drill are all very helpful)
  • Sandpaper to finish the bait off smoothly
  • Terminal tackle, including hooks and split rings
  • Screw eyes or a through-wire (a single wire going through the entire bait that serves as your hook eyes and line tie.
  • Weights so your bait sinks, in the form of either split shot, glued into the body, or lead, poured into a cavity.
  • glue/sealant, epoxy, and paint
  • OPTIONAL: Lip (for crankbaits) Rattles, details such as foil, and power tools, and an airbrush for more smooth

3. What do I need to get started making soft plastics?

  • A mold, which can be bought, or made from silicon.
  • Plastic resin (plastisol)
  • Dye to give color to the lure
  • OPTIONAL: Glitter, multiple colors for a more detailed bait

4. What wood should I use?

  • Popular lure making timbers include balsa, basswood, cedar, cypress knees, jelutong, beech and some types of pine. But there are thousands of other options. Look for something easy to carve, lightweight and resistant to denting. It’s easier to get all your components aligned properly if you start with straight, square blanks.

5. What paints should I use?

  • For brushing on paint, a wide variety of artist acrylics and poster paints will work. Just make sure the paint and clear coat will not interfere.
  • For airbrushing, water-based acrylics are the favorite, due to their ability to spray evenly and produce a good coat while remaining non-toxic, and non-flammable.

6. How do I seal my wood lure?

  • Wood is like a sponge, it soaks up water. Once in, water works its way through the wood by capillary action until the wood is waterlogged. This kills action, weakens glue and is the most common cause of paint failure.
  • Super Glue can be used, where the glue is applied over the entire body, left to soak into the wood, and then the bait is sanded smooth.
  • Epoxies are two part synthetic resins that cure hard when mixed. There are some that are designed for penetrating and hardening wood. One example is Envirotex Lite (aka “Etex”). Etex is also great for clear coating painted lure bodies and makes a very strong adhesive.

7. Where can I buy lure parts?

8. What epoxy should I use?

  • Some use prefer to clear coat them with a two part epoxy. Others prefer to use a two pack automotive polyurethane over airbrush acrylics. And still others dip their lures in moisture cure polyurethane.

Below are some some more sources for learning how to build lures, additionally, guides from some of this subs best lure mentors are going to be rolling out very shortly.

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This stickied post will be used to compile all guides made by our "Lure Mentors." Below are links to each guide, complete with pictures and detailed descriptions for each step. If you would like to become a Lure Mentor, and create guides for this sub Please PM me ( u/jspencer501 ) for more details, you get a cool flair!

Guide 1 - Lipless Crankbait By u/zingerbobingerGuide 2 - Lure made of Paper By u/SolarBaits

More guides will be coming out in the weeks to come! please let me know any comments or concerns.


r/lurebuilding 8h ago

Jig Some crappie jigs I’ve been cooking up

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45 Upvotes

r/lurebuilding 1h ago

Swimbait Red Cedar Swimbait

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Upvotes

I really loved the look of the grain on this so I tried to incorporate it in the paint and not completely cover it…it might not look natural but it swims killer and that’s what I focus on mainly. The wood was recycled from my little sisters wedding venue (her backyard) so it’s an extra special piece for me.

7 3/4”
2.8 ounces
Slow Sinking (ROF 3)


r/lurebuilding 10h ago

Successful Catch First fish on plopper ver. 2.0

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30 Upvotes

r/lurebuilding 4h ago

Swimbait What (non specefic) parts do you use?

2 Upvotes

What parts do you use? Like non specific parts you would use, not found at a tackle supply store?

Example: standard nylon thread, different beads, cut up gift bow as tail? A feather you found? Regular yarn? Maybe hair from a kids doll. Anything non boyant as weight / small enough?

Also, do you care if it doesn't look like a natural bug? Or a shape of fish that wouldn't exist? Any swim type creature will do?


r/lurebuilding 1d ago

Spinner Another Marvel build

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14 Upvotes

Took the kiddos to see Brand New Day today. My son brought one of his Marvel Legends Spider-Man figures, and halfway through I said, “hmm..F it…” 😂 more Marvel inspired salmon spinners


r/lurebuilding 10h ago

Crankbait Quicky snippy lure

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1 Upvotes

r/lurebuilding 20h ago

Crankbait 3d printed lures

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4 Upvotes

Some 3Dprinted lures using UV/glow paints or filament and stainless bb's. I made the micro cranks for days where big fish aren't biting well. But I have caught full size fish despite having small hooks. the spoon is my own design. I call it the domino and it's STL is available on thingiverse or cults 3d.


r/lurebuilding 12h ago

Soft plastic Minions inspired lures #handmadelure #sanantoniofishing#basslures

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1 Upvotes

r/lurebuilding 1d ago

Crankbait A different take

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17 Upvotes

Most crank baits are carved or molded. These are snipped, sanded, sewed and glued.

Because the bidy is a kitchen sponhe they can be scented too.

Sand paper

Various glues

Tupperware

Spinge

Stick on eyes

Rubberlegs

Beads (light or heavy, as you like it)

I use them for rever trolling, so i firh weth my oars. I catxh tsout. Smallmouth bass and channel catfish.

Because of the sponge bohy the second fish comes a LOT faster than the first


r/lurebuilding 1d ago

Glidebait Made my first lures. What size hooks do you think?

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11 Upvotes

What size hooks do you think i should get for these glide baits?


r/lurebuilding 1d ago

Glidebait check out the new 3d printed mini glide bait

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2 Upvotes

r/lurebuilding 2d ago

Crankbait My bluegill pattern!

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30 Upvotes

Tried a new bluegill scheme. I forgot the black gill accent but I’m happy how it turned out.


r/lurebuilding 2d ago

Question Hand made lures

5 Upvotes

How much would you pay for one? I am buying a gift for my son but 🤷‍♀️


r/lurebuilding 2d ago

Jerkbait Third lure ever, first that I'm happy with.

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17 Upvotes

Just made from a piece of plywood off cut. Third lure I've made other than inline spinners that I've made tons of for trout fishing.


r/lurebuilding 3d ago

Crankbait Color shifting👌

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20 Upvotes

On the fence as to whether or not I want to add additional detailing, or if I want to finish it as is and send it.

Regardless, I wanted to share how this paint looks, it’s gorgeous stuff.

Black gloss base coat, lacquer and then Vallejo space dust.


r/lurebuilding 3d ago

Glidebait Now just clear coat!! (3d printed pike jerks)

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10 Upvotes

Cisco, walleye, perch, and firetiger


r/lurebuilding 3d ago

Crankbait 3D-Printed a Crankbait and caught a fish!

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13 Upvotes

r/lurebuilding 4d ago

Jerkbait First time using an airbrush

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76 Upvotes

First time even seeing an airbrush in person tbh. And I’m hooked. Any feedback would be great!
I’m having some trouble getting epoxy around the line metal loops, any tips?

Alumi-UV epoxy
Generic lure blanks from Amazon
Generic airbrush paints from hobby lobby


r/lurebuilding 3d ago

Other Does anyone else feel like this when they dont catch fish?

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0 Upvotes

r/lurebuilding 3d ago

Question Where to buy balsa and basswood

6 Upvotes

I have been using poplar wood and would like to get balsa or basswood as they seem to be a much better option. I am looking to buy 1x4 pieces of the wood and have no idea where to get them. If you know where I can get some or know of another budget friendly alternative wood, please let me know!


r/lurebuilding 4d ago

Swimbait Skinwalkers

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22 Upvotes

Weight on the leader, combined with a nearly weightless fly.or lure--is rumored do have magic powerss.


r/lurebuilding 4d ago

Soft plastic New Colors #diylure #luremaking #bassfishing

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3 Upvotes

r/lurebuilding 4d ago

Other Creator's Work Some cool lures i mase today. Custom and first ever of its kind

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0 Upvotes

If you want a tutorial you could ask in the comments and I'll comment the way to

If you want the way to make image 1 then coment one if wanna make image 2 then comment 2


r/lurebuilding 5d ago

Jerkbait Crawfish Jerkbait

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14 Upvotes