Homemade bass lures?

[eastsideirish]

Anyone make their own bass lures? It's one of my new year's resolutions to cut corners when I can and I'm thinking I'd like to get into making my own lures (wood-carved, plastic molds, etc.). Any tips? I primarily fish a lake near Beanblossom. It's a great bass lake and I've had alot of fun there in the past. Only problem is when I lose an 8 dollar lure in the undergrowth (it has happened too many times for me to painlessly recount). At least if the lure was homemade I wouldn't be out of pocket that much.

[stuckonbuck]

I have thought about it. It seems like it would be quite a challenge.

[eastsideirish]

A fun challenge, I hope. I still have plenty of plastic storebought lures left to lose so I'll probably try to gradually phase in the homemades. I can only imagine how proud I'll be when I get a big mouth interested! Eitherway, it's something to do in the off-season that isn't as risky as shooting crows by White River.

[alhersch]

These aren't bass lures, but they are home made lures anyway. Started making these last year. Had some luck with them, mostly rocks!

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c28/alhersch/100_2174_small.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c28/alhersch/100_2176_small.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c28/alhersch/100_2179_small.jpg


Al

[sam]

I used to make my own with balsa wood and a dremal.
A couple things to remember. You must always add a little weigh to the lure to balance it. Most times a split shot is enough.
You can make a one or two piece lure with hook eyes. Just plan your design before you get started.
Hook hangers, screws and hardware to make crankbaits are avalible at Tackle Service Supply in Mooresville.

[goggleye57]

Jann's Netcraft of Maumee,Ohio is a good source of lure componets- good service with mail order - Here is there website address for a catalogue

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/CatalogRequest.aspx


Nice homemade jigs!!

[bigling97]

Barlows is another source. try www.barlows.com (http://www.barlows.com) They do lure components as well as jigs and soft plastics too.

[angler103]

I highly recomend Jann's Netcraft. I have been using them for a few years now. Good quality products at a pretty good prices.

As far as lure making goes. Myself and a friend made up about 20 or so spinner baits last year. We started with straight wire and all. If you get into this another great advantage of homemade baits (atleast spinners) is that you can "tune" them to do what you want instead of just getting what you get when you buy them at a store. Wire thickness, hook size, bends, painting, etc etc. We use to spend more time watching them swim in the pool and tweaking them then we did actually making them. I've never tried carving balsa, sounds like a fun challenge and always makes you smile when you catch a good fish on a homemade lure. Best of luck.!

[Hot Shot]

I tie flies. Lots of fun and rewarding hobby. For trout I use the fuzz from a tenis ball to make a killer bead head. "electric corn" is what we call it.
DEC can testify that it out fishes anything he brought.
The next weekend, we caught a bazillion trout on them also.
use dog hair (labs make great dry flies from thier under coats).
spiders can be made from yarn, thread, and even plastic bubble wrap.
Sometimes we even buy materials.
My favorite flies come from wood duck feathers and pheasant feathers that I've brought home. eat the birds, save a handful of feathers and then catch fish on them.

[goggleye57]

Go to the swap meet in the summer south of Ligonier and you can buy roosters of all colors and breeds. Lots of great hackles for a couple of bucks. Skin them out and rub borax into the skin side. Cook the body and make chicken and dumplings.