Make your own lures...

[IceHawk11]

Anyone out there make ur own ice fishing lures? If so any good websites to order supplies or just good tips on getting started. Thanks

[Great Outdoors]

You'll have to be a very avid fisherman to make it financially practical to make your own ice fishing lures.

What type of fishing do you prefer, Crappies, Walleyes, Lake Trout???

If you only fish for Crappie and Sunnies, you can purchase plain ice jigs in bags of 100, or 1,000-then paint them yourself (which is a pain)

Hagens, out of South Dakota, sells bulk, unpainted jigs of all sizes as do other tackle supply companies.

If you use larger banana head jigs, and want to tie on your own buck tails, be prepared to spend $100 or more for a mold, hooks, buck tail, spool holders for tying the tails on, glue, lead for the jigs,paints, etc.

[Chris Barlage]

I myself tie a hair jig to use during the winter. It does cost quite a bit to get into. I believe it was about a 100 to 150 investment to start. I buy the jig heads on hsolist and paint and tie my own from there. The painting is a big pain. i go to janes netcraft for all my stuff except the jig heads. Like the first person said. Depends on what you want to make.

[jigginjim]

I'm thinking of a few different type of jigs for panfish. Thinking of using some hackle from wild tukey feather. When doing tail fan the butt feathers just get thrown away but they do have different look. They just entice a few more hits.

[hydro]

If you want to give it a try without spending a lot of money, here is a way to make the “teardrop” style jigs.

1. You will need hooks (they need to be gold plated), soldering iron and flux core solder, a block of wood, solvent (acetone or lacquer thinner), wax, fluorescent spray paint, black model paint, and a small nail.

2. Take the hooks and press them into the block of wood so that the shank is flat to the wood surface, then solder a blob of lead the size you want the teardrop to be. It takes a little practice to get the size and shape right but it is really quite easy.

3. Put the jigs into the solvent to dissolve the flux residue and get them ready for paint.

4. Heat the jig up a little and press the eye into the wax. This prevents paint from sticking and makes it MUCH easier to clean the eye later.

5. Paint the teardrop bodies your favorite color, and apply a small dot of black paint with the little nail. The teardrop jig is now done.

If you want to go further, you can apply hackle, rubber legs, etc for more interest. This is an easy and inexpensive way to try making ice fishing jigs and the parts are available at local retail stores.

[Fishin4fun_MN]

Can you use black Nicole hooks or do they have to be gold?

[Bob/Mn]

Anyone out there make ur own ice fishing lures? If so any good websites to order supplies or just good tips on getting started. Thanks

I make all my ice fishing lures. Do a internet search for Lure making supplies or fly tying material.

I use suppliers in Maumee OH, Richardson TX., and Springfield IL.

[Eric_Kruger]

I make everything myself from rods to lures....Lately my newest addiction has been painting jigheads with airbrush

I noticed that if there is a jig you like, most of the time you can call the maker of it and get unpainted jigs and paint them yourself for cheap.

[hydro]

Can you use black Nicole hooks or do they have to be gold?

The hooks must be gold or the solder will not stick.