Make your own?????

[ddsbyday]

I just read a post by soldoncass talking about making your own stinger hooks. It hit me that I make almost all of my lures, jigs, leaders, and sinkers myself. Anyone else have this problem?

[PerchJerker]

My problem is I spend too much time and money browsing and impulse buying in places like Cabelas and Gander

I tie my own live bait rigs but that's about it

[Sonicrunch]

Not yet, but I am starting slowly.

Tell me, is it less expensive, or more expensive to make your own?

Regardless of such, I would trust my own ties over factory produced ties.

[ddsbyday]

It depends. If you are frequently fishing brush or rocks with a specific jig or particular weight style you like and snag frequently you can save money. The only problem is you find out how fun it is and you expand. I started out making 1/4 oz plain jig heads. I started painting them,tying them and changing the sizes and head styles. Then I started with the sinkers and plastics. I am not saving any money. I have a day job and don't spend enough time on the water. I am just plain hooked. Keep it simple,save money. Get hooked, its like crack. Right now I am working on my ice fishing lures. I already have enough for 10 seasons and I will most likely will need a doz. at the most.

[Mike Walerak]

I primarily make all my own rigs and jigs. I have about 10 different molds that vary from bottom bouncers, splitshot,cone sinkers and various jigs.

I tie my own bucktail hair jigs.

Custom paint crankbaits, hooks, sinkers and whatever else needs paint.

Custom build rods I hope to have more time this winter.

I hope to start tying howie flies for salmon fishing this winter also.

I do have to buy some of my specialty jigs but for the most part I can pretty much take care of myself and a few buddies. Someday I would like to start my own part time custom tackle shop.

mw

[Team Otter]

Let me know when the store is open.

[ddsbyday]

I,m not sure if it would be acceptable but it would be interesting to post some pics of the homemade stuff. Perhaps a moderator can check if it would be ok. I think there is a lot of imagination out there. Sponsors should come first because they pay for this site. If it is not a problem the home made stuff would be fun to see.

[PerchJerker]

Posting pics of your home-made stuff is a great idea. I'd love to see it, it would be really interesting and informative. There's no rules against that

Just don't try to sell it unless you put it in the For Sale forums, and don't post unauthorized links

[ddsbyday]

I agree. When I get back from opening duck I will try to learn how to post the pics. and see what other rookie tackle makers are doing. Half the stuff I make I do not even get a chance to try. I just think it will work. This is a pretty tough crowd show your stuff to but I don't think you could get a better critique. I will toss a few out when I get back.

[Scott M]

I started off tying lindy rigs, and then its grown from there. I'm still amazed that my dad and two brother's in law all buy their own lindy rigs...Everybody should tie their own lindy rigs so they can customize and so they don't get ripped off, plus they can make changes relatively easily.

The next thing I did was rods. Then came lead molds (until they get outlawed I guess). BTW, you can get those cheap when all the little gander mountains go out of business or move.

Lastly I've tied some flies and want to get back into it (I did it as a kid). I haven't tried wood or metal artificial but who knows.

I have a lot of other hobbies so finding time/money is tough.

When the winter comes I'll see if I can throw a few pics up here.

[Chad Halvorson]

Quote:

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I primarily make all my own rigs and jigs. I have about 10 different molds that vary from bottom bouncers, splitshot,cone sinkers and various jigs.

I tie my own bucktail hair jigs.

Custom paint crankbaits, hooks, sinkers and whatever else needs paint.

Custom build rods I hope to have more time this winter.

I hope to start tying howie flies for salmon fishing this winter also.

I do have to buy some of my specialty jigs but for the most part I can pretty much take care of myself and a few buddies. Someday I would like to start my own part time custom tackle shop.

mw

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Mike, where can I get a setup to make my own bottom bouncers? Im referring to the V shaped versions not straight ones. Thanks.

[slipperybob]

I've made trailers to match my cranks...especially the fire tiger pattern

[Bob/Mn]

I make all my own jigs,rigs,inline spinners,spring bobbers, ice flies and flies for drop shot rigs.

They say necesity is the mother of invention. :-)

The most fun is to test a home made item to see the fish reaction.

I would be interesting to see some of the home made creations.

[Mike Walerak]

If you do a quick search you will find them. My bottom bouncer molds are Do-it brand. I can make them up to 4 ounces. I might have picked them up online or in Fleet Farm or Cabelas.

I will post some pics of some of my jigs next time I make a batch. I have some to make for a few guys so it shouldnt be too long.

mw

[ddsbyday]

First shot at posting a picture so cut me some slack if it doesn't work,

[ddsbyday]

I got a picture but it is too small. I will go back to the how to post a picture post to see if I can find out the problem. Good news is I found out how easy it is to post a thumbnail size pic. I did it about seven times before I gave up.

[ddsbyday]

2nd attempt at a picture [image][/image] Yahooo!!!! It worked. The picture is bigger than I wanted but its getting better.

[Bob/Mn]

ddsbyday :

WOW!!! You spend a lot of time over a hot lead pot. You make some real nice looking stuff.

I make a lot of my own lures but nothing like that.

[ddsbyday]

I am going try to show some winter stuff.

[PerchJerker]

You've got some good looking stuff there ddsbyday. I especially like the little flutter blades on your jigheads

[NyQuiLlama]

I love making my own stuff. I mostly do the basic Lindy rig things. I'll tell you that you can make your own "smile blades" with beer cans and a kitchen shears and emulate a "wally pop"... as a bonus you have to drink the contents of the can before use. Last night I was forced to drink Bodingtons in order to make some yellow and black blades. I also made a few colorado blades. My next idea is to make topwater poppers with a wooden dowel and beer bottle tops.

I see part of the tradition of fishing involving lure making. It's a blast to catch fish on your own invention... even if Rapala has already perfected the art.