Big Epp

I bent this in about 5 minutes just using pliers. It's nothing fancy, but it shows how simple the process can be.

Right Hillbilly, thus far I've been using lead weights, split shot and barrel weights. A lot of guys have mentioned lead coil, which I'll probably try when I can find some.

Looks great Mark! I've also never use Paulownia, and am an opportunist when it comes to wood, but of what I've used I'd say I prefer cedar and PVC. I got the PVC from cut-offs on a deck I did last summer, then ripped off the hard top and bottom on a bandsaw. The cedar is also scrap from various projects. For a raw bait, treated pine looks great! Use a dust-mask, but don't be too afraid if it's fairly new, only the old stuff has arsenic in it...

Right on guys! I scored an old table saw a couple months ago, and was pretty jacked up about it. I got a little rip happy though and seem to have burned up the motor. I very much enjoy having access to a bandsaw, but without it am content with a knife, coping saw, sandpaper, and hand drill. Paints and patterns vary. I have a popper I made with cream sides, a greenish belly, and a brown back that has been dynamite locally. I like your point about high-contrast, and agree that straight white and also straight black are excellent additions (with maybe a little detailing). For starters you can do just fine with paintbrushes (or even permanent markers!) or spray paint, but a lot of folks move over to an airbrush at some point. One tip I'd add, if you are just getting started, use someone else's templates for the first couple lures so you get comfortable with the basic shapes and steps, then start working out your own designs. I've been doing this for about 1 1/2 years, and I'll still unashamedly request templates and plans sometimes, though I have only sold lures that are my own designs.

Not interested, but this is what I use for PVC baits as well. Either Azek or another all PVC deck board. I did a deck last summer and still have cutoffs to use. Great stuff!

Right on @Bassmaster Rick! We've got 3 (soon to be 4) kids and I work in a school...so whenever I have to throw out a worn out plastic I see $ going into the trash. I've actually not really fished a senko much, but they are a bit hit at the pond I fish locally.

Great stuff; some of you are way skilled! It's always cool to see what someone can do when they've taken time to get good at their craft! I suppose woodworking and gardening are my current hobbies. I spend a lot of time making and testing lures. I've caught about 65 largemouth this month, mostly while fishing with my two oldest sons (5 and 3).

Looks great! I'd try the same hole first and see how it works, then add more only if needed.

Thanks all! I don't have any molds, but am thinking of doing thin sheets on baking sheets, and then cutting them up for panfish jigs.

Can used soft plastic baits be melted down and remolded? If so, how would one go about this? I haven't done anything with plastics other than fish them, and I hate to waste material. Thanks all!

Sounds like a fun project! I second the delayed hookset idea, as I've seen myself pull a lure straight out of a fish's mouth by setting too soon. Many of my fish this year have been bass on a popper, but a smaller one, about 2 1/2 inches. I find I can be WAY too reliant on seeing my lures, but that's just a personal weakness.

Thanks Dave! Great video, and great idea. I'll putz around and try to work up something similar, though I may try and go smaller, more of a micro-crank... Have you considered using potato?

Good idea with the dowel! My fingers certainly get sore trying to hold the little pieces of wood, and they are awfully close to the knife...

As my own echo-chamber... I've looked over the profiles of some smaller cranks, the Norman Quaterback and a Salmo, and I'll probably try and build a couple off those, then once I get used to the basics there I'll try my own designs. I already sketched out a profile similar to, but original from, the Quarterback.

I'll second the motion for cedar. I make European style jerkbaits with it, and am very happy with the results. And yes, a mask is a GREAT idea!

I've been trying to make a good small (~2") crankbait, but have been running into some trouble. Some of it is low productivity on my part. Some were soaked to long in wood hardener so they sank like rocks, some had uneven lips, some needed more ballast. I cooked up a little "bug" lure that works pretty well as a small wakebait/jerkbait, but that's all my progress so far. The pond I fish most has some big bass (5+ pounds), but it's also got a lot of crappie and bluegill. I've made plenty to catch the bass, but am trying to target the smaller, tastier types. Then after I get that figured out maybe I'll try my hand at making a walleye crankbait, but one thing at a time... What are some tips for making small baits? I'm not looking to make a small glidebait, I've got one at just under 2" thank works really well, I'm looking more for a typical shad rap or quarterback type crankbait.

Could be, but I have no excuse, I was working from a computer... must be that doggone lesdyxia...

I don't know anything about working with fishing rods, but I chipped the finish on one of my favorite rods. What is the best way to fix this?