Anybody making their own Musky lures ?

[Muskycrazy]

I started to make my own lures this year and have talked with one other guy who makes his own . Was wondering if anybody else here makes or is interested in making them and maybe a has some pointers or suggestions .

[Rebel9921]

I do... I've just started making my own lures... having hard time with flashabous... Just wish they came ready-made like bucktails or marabous do... I order my stuff from Stamina Lures... its in Brooklyn Park... so when I need something I go there and get those... Thorne Bros also have stuff you can make your own lures with...

[Muskycrazy]

Are you making any wooden baits like grandmas or other crank baits ?

[HugoBox]

I've been making wood bass lures for years and recently made a bunch of musky size lures. They started as a copy of and old Creek Chub mouse but I've tweaked them a bunch. The small bass lures have been great producers - the musky ones are still a work in process. Do you carve your own?

[Muskycrazy]

I get a rough shape on the bandsaw , then further shape them on a belt sander and then smooth them with sand paper . I am starting to have more & more questions though . I'm still in the beginning stages but know nothing about the paints to use , or what to seal them . Do long eyebolts work Ok or do they have to have a wire the full length ? I could buy a book I suppose but kinda like to hear different ideas .

[MuskieMojoTackle]

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I get a rough shape on the bandsaw , then further shape them on a belt sander and then smooth them with sand paper . I am starting to have more & more questions though . I'm still in the beginning stages but know nothing about the paints to use , or what to seal them . Do long eyebolts work Ok or do they have to have a wire the full length ? I could buy a book I suppose but kinda like to hear different ideas .

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Screw eyes or thru wire is going to depend alot on what type of wood you are using. Hard woods (maple, poplar, etc) you can get away with screw eyes epoxied in. Balsa, basswood, cedar, pine...you are probably going to want to go thru wire.

Good sealer and primer is a critical first step in the process once you have your body ready

[Muskycrazy]

Lets say that all I wanted to make was 15" baits shaped like a grandma , whats the best wood to use for those ? Also most of the baits I see look like they have a diamond or square pattern sprayed on . Is that part of painting kit or something ?

[MuskieMojoTackle]

Quote:

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Lets say that all I wanted to make was 15" baits shaped like a grandma , whats the best wood to use for those ? Also most of the baits I see look like they have a diamond or square pattern sprayed on . Is that part of painting kit or something ?

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The scale pattern you are talking about is part of painting the bait. It is achieved by shooting paint through scale netting.

I've never made a bait like that, but I think Cedar would be a good choice for a bait like that. Cedar is going to force you to go to thru wire construction which greatly increases the work in making a bait.

Poplar or Maple may work as well.

You never know until you try. Part of making your own baits is experimenting until you find out what works

[ole matty]

i wld like to make some lure. any1 had carved the lure into reef hawg look alike one? i like it alot and want to make it a lil bigger and in various color as well.

[Cooter]

Hey Rebel, Rollie & Helen's has pretied flashabou.

[Rebel9921]

Oh really??? Since when??? I'll have to check it out then!!! Many thanks!!!

[HugoBox]

For holding jooks you can also use cotter pins in the same way they are used on Reef Hawgs and Suicks. I've used screw eyes but don't trust them to hold in the case of a big fish. I've been horrible at figureing out how to make the paint hold. It would be fun for everyone who makes their own to share photos. If I was smart enough to upload pictures here I'd share them. I still don't really love the design on mine though - I have much more work to do as it is somewhere between a topwater, a jerk, and a crankbait. I figure I may have some luck just because I know a fish hasn't seen on yet.

Good luck! Erik

[Muskycrazy]

I thought the same thing . If you make your own lures - chances are they will be new to the fish . Worth a shot I figure . Another consideration was cost , I priced out what they would cost to buy opposed to make your self and even on bigger baits the savings are considerable . Lets take the Muskymojo Triple x . Awesome lure and I chose it as an example because it is a good lure . Thing is that it cost almost 30 bucks and I am hesitent to use it because of the replacement cost but if I can make a lure that is comparable to it for 10 bucks then I'll throw it all the time . I lost a 35.00 Cisco Diver on Round lake last year the first time I casted it . I'm pretty sure that I can make that lure for 8.00 . The lures I have bought are top quality but on a bad year I might loose 10 - 15 lures and it adds up . Anyway .... sorry for the rant . Has anyone found a real good paint to use . I have thought about getting an air brush and wonder do they make a good water proof paint for them . Heck I might just discover that buying lures is cheaper than making them but I also need something to do betwen Nov. & May . so I figure making lures might help pass the time between Deer season and Turkey season .