It’s that time of the year again when the weather is calling you to be outside by the glistening water to catch some fish. You have your fishing pole ready, your boots on and you’re prepared for the big catch of the day. But there’s one problem, you’re all out of fishing lures! Well, don’t you just hate when that happens?
This may be the perfect time to learn a new skill, especially if you are an avid fishing enthusiast. Learning how to make your own fishing lures can save you money, help you create the perfect lure for a specific type of fish, and make a fun and useful pastime for those days when you can't get out there and fish.
Homemade lures range from basic designs with materials you already have, to more intricate designs that require more patience. With a little bit of elbow grease and determination, you’ll be catching fish in no time with your handmade lures.
Here's how to get started in the creative world of DIY fishing lures.
The Basics
Fishing lures are small, artificial objects that are used to attract fish to your line. They are usually made from rubber, plastic, wood, or metal. Lures come in multiple different sizes and shapes to attract a certain kind of fish to your line. For example, jigs are a specific lure with a weighted head, so they are able to sink easily and attract bottom feeders. Whereas flies, another lure type, will usually target fish that approach the water’s surface. The main objective of the lure is to imitate another critter that fish are attracted to naturally in the water so that you can get that big catch you’ve been looking for.
Fishing lures are a great option for many as opposed to living bait for a few reasons:
- They allow you to cast further than using live bait
- Lures are much less messy and won’t smell bad
- They allow you to target specific species more accurately
- Lures are a better option for catch and release
Why Make Your Own Fishing Lures
One downside to store-bought fishing lures is that they can get expensive, which is why so many fishing enthusiasts have taken it upon themselves to create their own. In the long run, it will save you money while also teaching you a new skill. It is truly an art form and can be incredibly rewarding to see a giant fish at the end of your line because of something you created with your own hands. Once you get the basics down you’ll be able to start teaching others how they can make their own lures, as well. And, who knows, maybe you can even begin your own small business!
Types of Fishing Lures
Lures can come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, each designed to attract a specific range of fish species. However, what works with one fish won’t necessarily work with another. Used correctly, fishing lures can be your best friend and are equally effective in freshwater and saltwater.
Knowing which type of lure you want to create will be an important factor when gathering the materials. Some of the most commonly used types of lures are:
- Jigs - Jigs have a weighted head on one side and a hook on the other. This lure sinks to the bottom by using weight and has a colorful exterior to attract fish.
- Spinnerbait - Spinnerbait lures move horizontally through the water. They come with a skirted hook on one side, and a metal blade that spins on the other side. The spinning mimics minnows and other baitfish.
- Spoons - Spoons are concave, curved metal lures. The shape of these lures helps them move swiftly in the water while reflecting light from the sun to attract fish.
- Soft Plastics - Soft plastic lures come in all different shapes and sizes to imitate different critters that will attract fish. Soft plastics are a popular choice for bass fishing - check out the common lures an techniques for bass fishing in Catching Bass Like a Pro Angler.
- Flies - Flies are traditionally used in fly fishing and are created to imitate small insects that glide across the surface of the water. There are also some fly lures designed to sink.
- Crankbait - Crankbaits or plugs are hard plastic fishing lures that are made to resemble baitfish. They are usually made of hard plastic with a thin sheet of metal attached to the front called a lip.
How to Make a Wooden Fishing Lure
Today, most lures are made of hard or soft plastics, while traditional lures were made from wood. This is a great material to start with as it gives you full creative control as to what you decide to make.
Everything Needed:
- Softwood of choice
- Design template
- Pencil
- Mask and goggles
- Band saw
- Carving knife
- Sandpaper
- Drill
- Epoxy sealer
- White primer
- Colored paint
- Split rings
- Treble hooks
Steps to Making Wooden Lures For Fishing
Choose a type of wood to use
The best type of wood to use will be any sort of softwood such as balsa, cedar, or pine. These types of wood will allow your lure to float and will also be easy to shape. You’ll be able to find these types of wood at your local hardware or craft store. If you are looking to catch bigger fish, you’ll want a lure that is 3 to 6 inches long so make sure the piece of wood is at least an inch longer to leave plenty of space to create.
Sketch a design
Creating a design for your lure can be tricky if you’ve never made one before. Most lures are torpedo-shaped with bright intricate designs. For the best results, look up a lure template online you can download and print out. Once you have the design you like best, you can sketch, or trace a template onto the side of the wood using a pencil.
Shape your design
Now that you have the design sketched onto a piece of wood, it’s time to cut and shape it. Using a band saw or scroll saw will give you a more precise cut and make the process quick. Be sure to wear proper safety gear such as a dust mask and goggles when using this type of machinery. If you don’t have this type of equipment, you can carve your lure using a knife. Wood carving kits are easy to find at your local hardware or craft store. This process is more time-consuming but becomes more of a meditation.
Add details
After you have your lure cut, you’ll want to whittle away the remaining excess with a knife to form the desired shape. Then you can get creative and add details such as fins, scales, or carve crevices for eyes - anything that might resemble what a fish would eat. A great tool for this would be a Dremel, which will give you a closer cut than a knife.
Smooth the wood with sandpaper
Now that you have the details you like, you can finish shaping your lure with sandpaper. Using tough 80-grit sandpaper to start will help smooth out the rough edges of your lure. After you’ve properly sanded your lure, use fine-grit sandpaper next, for an even smoother finish.
Drill pilot holes for the hooks
Most lures have at least two hooks. Drill one hole at the front of the lure, and one hole at the back. The holes should be 3/16 in. or 0.48 cm. Their location may be different depending on whether you used a template or freehanded it. If you used a template, refer to those images when deciding where to position the pilot holes.
Apply sealer and prepare for painting
Once you have the holes drilled, wipe off any debris on your lure and prepare for painting. The first step would be to add a thin clear sealer, such as an epoxy sealer. This will help prepare the wood for paint and protect it from any water damage. After you’ve let the sealer dry, apply a base coat of white primer - using any other color of primer may be too dark to be seen by fish. When the primer dries, it’s time to paint!
Paint your lure
Now it’s time to make the lure attractive towards the fish you’re trying to catch. For fish that live in saltwater, it's best to use bright colors to attract them, but freshwater fish will be scared by the bright colors so it's best to use muted colors. Many people use an airbrush for this part to make the process go smooth and quick, but using a brush works just as well.
Be sure to add any details you’d like, such as eyes, scales, gills, and anything that may resemble bait. Once you’ve let your lure dry, finish by adding a clear coat of epoxy to protect against water damage. Then let your lure sit to dry for at least 24 hours.
Insert screws for your hooks
You’ll want to have 1/4 in or 0.64 cm closed screw eyes for this part. Screw eyes look like screws with a loop on one end, these will help you attach your hooks. Screw in the threaded part with your hand or use pliers by turning the screw clockwise (the screw should always be slightly wider than the pilot holes to help the screw stay in place). Once you have the screw in, attach a split ring (similar to the one on your keychain, just smaller) and connect your hooks.
How to Make a Soft Plastic Lure
The great thing about these lures is that, as opposed to wood or metal lures, they resemble real food to fish. This will make the fish want to hold on longer. Making your own soft plastic lures requires a lot of materials and plenty of patience. However, once you gather everything to create this type of lure, you’ll find the process quite rewarding because you’ll be able to make more than one at a time and they will last a lot longer than any other DIY fishing lure.
Everything Needed:
- Microwave that is dedicated to only melting plastics
- Microwave safe, glass measuring cup
- Protective breathing mask
- Gloves
- Digital thermometer
- Metal or hard plastic molds
- Scissors
- Metal spoon
- Exacto knife
- Soft bait plastics
- Soft plastic bait colors
- Glitter
- Open space with fresh air to work
Steps to Making a Soft Plastic Lure
Measure out plastic and melt.
First, measure out how much plastic you’ll want to melt. This step is up to you, depending on how many lures you wish to make. Be sure not to fill the measuring cup completely to the top - about 3/4 cup will be fine. Next, put on your mask to stay protected against the harmful fumes released when melting plastic. Once you have the plastic measured, put it in the microwave for 30-second intervals for up to 3 minutes or until the plastic is completely melted.
Measure temperature and add the colorant.
It is important that the plastic is heated to 325-350 degrees or else your molds will not set properly. The best way to get the temperature of the plastic is by using a digital thermometer. Once you’ve properly measured the temperature you can add the desired colors. Be sure to mix the colors with a metal spoon when in the plastic, as the colorant will sink to the bottom if not mixed. You could also add glitter for an even more attractive lure.
Pour into molds.
When the plastic is hot enough, carefully pour it into the molds. Be sure to wear gloves as you don’t want any melted plastic on your hands. Once you’ve poured all the plastic into the molds, all you have to do is wait for it to cool off.
Take out the molds.
When the plastic is completely cool, it’s time to take the lures out of the molds. You can use an exacto knife or scissors to cut off any excess plastic. Before you use the lures, you’ll want to make sure they cool off for another 24 to 48 hours. And voila! - the process is done, so you can go fishing with your very own soft plastic fishing lures.
How to Make Fishing Lures For Fly Fishing
Making fly fishing lures is a wonderful art form. Just like all lure-making projects, this one takes time and patience as well. Many of the required materials can be found at your local tackle shop or online if you search for DIY fly fishing kits.
There are generally two types of flies made. Wet flies are used under the water and are ideal in deeper pools. Dry flies, for fishing on the water's surface, are ideal for shallower areas or fast-moving currents.
For more tips on fly fishing, check out the Fly Fishing Essentials, Part 1 and Fly Fishing Essentials, Part 2.
Everything needed:
- Vise tool
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Fly fishing hook
- Feathers
- Thread
- Thread bobbin (optional)
- Synthetic hair for the tail
- Colored dubbing
Steps to Making a Fly Fishing Lure
Place the hook into the vise and start wrapping the thread.
Close your hook onto the vise and begin wrapping the thread, with a thread bobbin (if you have one), down towards the curve of the hook.
Add the tail.
Once you have the thread covering half of the hook, add the synthetic hairs. With the same thread wrap tightly the hairs onto the hook to create a “tail” on your lure. (If you don’t have any synthetic hair you can get creative and use simple items such as bright bristles from a broom.)
Tie the knot and cut off any excess.
Make sure the hairs are tied tightly, then tie the thread into a knot. Be sure the hairs are extended outwards past the hook, no more than 1/2 inch. Cut off any excess.
Add the body.
Now it’s time to add your dubbing of choice. The dubbing is synthetic, slightly fuzzy, and bright material that will give your hook a “body” when wrapped properly. Once you have the dubbing picked out, wrap it around the thread and hairs.
Apply feather.
With the feather in hand, begin to separate the fibers from one another, so that the feather has a frayed look. Apply the stem of the feather into the body and begin wrapping the feather around. You can use more thread or dubbing to keep the feather in place, just be sure that the fibers of the feather are free and sticking out sporadically all over the hook. This will add more attraction towards the fly and change how it moves about in the water.
Finish with a final knot.
Make sure everything on the body is tied around the hook tightly, and then tie it off with a knot. You could also use clear glue to secure the pieces if you’d like, but a knot will work just as well.
How to Make a Bottle Cap Fishing Lure
Making your own lures from bottle caps is simple and requires little work. For this fishing lure, you’ll need a bottle cap, which you can find anywhere. Metal bottle caps will reflect light from the sun and attract fish. This is a great option for anyone who is a beginner in lure-making.
Steps to Making a Bottle Cap Lure
Gather your materials.
The first step here is to gather everything you’ll need to make a bottle cap fishing lure, which isn’t much. The main thing you need is, of course, a bottle cap. Then you’ll want one small treble hook, one small split ring, a swivel, and a multi-tool (or pliers and a knife).
Bend the bottle cap in half and poke holes.
Take your pliers and bend the bottle cap in half. Use a knife to puncture two small holes, one at each end of the cap. Use a slow twisting motion with your knife to do this and be careful not to make the holes too large or the metal could tear.
Attach spinner and hook.
Next, add your treble hook to your split ring and clip it to one of the small holes on the cap. Then with the other hole, you can attach the swivel. The swivel will help spin your lure, allowing fish to see it better, while keeping your line straight.
How to Make a Spoon Fishing Lure
A spoon lure is used to attract fish by reflecting light from the sun and moving around randomly. This type of lure is great for catching large fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and walleye. This is also a rather simple project as it only requires a metal spoon and some tools.
Steps to Making a Spoon Fishing Lure
Gather your materials
The first thing you’ll need is a metal spoon. If you don’t have any old ones at home, you can find cheap spoons at a thrift store. Then you’ll want a hack saw, metal file, hammer, drill, 8 inch or smaller drill bit, split rings, treble hook and paint is optional.
Cut the spoon
Cut off the stem of the spoon by using a hacksaw.
File sharp edges and hammer back of the spoon
File the edge where you cut the spoon to make sure there are no sharp corners. Then, lightly hammer the back end of the spoon to reduce the curved surface of the spoon. This will allow the spoon to “swim” better in the water.
Drill holes and attach rings
At each end of the spoon drill small holes using an 8 inch, or smaller, drill bit. Once you have the holes, add the split rings to each side. On the long end of the spoon, the opposite side of where the stem was, attach your treble hook to the split ring.
Finish with details
You can paint your spoon if you’d like, add any other details you think may attract fish, or just leave it as is. And there you have it - you’re ready to catch fish with your very own spoon fishing lure!
Get Ready to Catch Your Limit With KÜHL
... And do it with your own homemade fishing lures!
Fishing lures are as varied as the fish you will be catching them on, so why not try your hand at making your own lures? Before you know it, you’ll be reeling in more fish with the satisfaction of knowing you hooked them with your own homemade lure.
Creating DIY fishing lures can be a satisfying activity between two fishing trips, and a very useful skill to have, as well. Lure making is a craft that can also help you save money and let you personalize all types of lures to your liking. Just remember to use safety gear and precaution when working with heavy machinery, especially when melting plastics.
So grab a couple of men's craft pants or men's fishing pants and get to work!
