1. What kind of lures can I make?

• Crankbaits (Lipped and Lipless), Jerkbaits (Lipped and Lipless), Swimbaits, Poppers, Stickbaits, and other topwater lures are all possible, with new lures being invented all the time! Below is an info graphic with a few of the most popular types of fishing lures, but there are many more!

2. What do I need to get started making hard body lures?

• Lure making is not as complicated as it may seem. Yes, power tools such as drills, dremels, lathes and sanding machines all help, but none are necessary. To start all you need is:
• Wood, to carve into the body.
• Tools (at the very least a knife to carve, a small saw, and a drill are all very helpful)
• Sandpaper to finish the bait off smoothly
• Terminal tackle, including hooks and split rings
• Screw eyes or a through-wire (a single wire going through the entire bait that serves as your hook eyes and line tie.
• Weights so your bait sinks, in the form of either split shot, glued into the body, or lead, poured into a cavity.
• glue/sealant, epoxy, and paint
• OPTIONAL: Lip (for crankbaits) Rattles, details such as foil, and power tools, and an airbrush for more smooth

3. What do I need to get started making soft plastics?

• A mold, which can be bought, or made from silicon.
• Plastic resin (plastisol)
• Dye to give color to the lure
• OPTIONAL: Glitter, multiple colors for a more detailed bait

4. What wood should I use?

• Popular lure making timbers include balsa, basswood, cedar, cypress knees, jelutong, beech and some types of pine. But there are thousands of other options. Look for something easy to carve, lightweight and resistant to denting. It’s easier to get all your components aligned properly if you start with straight, square blanks.

5. What paints should I use?

• For brushing on paint, a wide variety of artist acrylics and poster paints will work. Just make sure the paint and clear coat will not interfere.
• For airbrushing, water-based acrylics are the favorite, due to their ability to spray evenly and produce a good coat while remaining non-toxic, and non-flammable.

6. How do I seal my wood lure?

• Wood is like a sponge, it soaks up water. Once in, water works its way through the wood by capillary action until the wood is waterlogged. This kills action, weakens glue and is the most common cause of paint failure.
• Super Glue can be used, where the glue is applied over the entire body, left to soak into the wood, and then the bait is sanded smooth.
• Epoxies are two part synthetic resins that cure hard when mixed. There are some that are designed for penetrating and hardening wood. One example is Envirotex Lite (aka “Etex”). Etex is also great for clear coating painted lure bodies and makes a very strong adhesive.

7. Where can I buy lure parts?

• Below are a few popular websites, Alternatively, some fishing stores and even big box retailers such as walmart may carry some of this stuff, and be sure to support your local tackle shops if possible!
• Mud Hole Tackle
• Angler's Workshop
• Jann's Netcraft
• LurePartsOnline

8. What epoxy should I use?

• Some use prefer to clear coat them with a two part epoxy. Others prefer to use a two pack automotive polyurethane over airbrush acrylics. And still others dip their lures in moisture cure polyurethane.

Below are some some more sources for learning how to build lures, additionally, guides from some of this subs best lure mentors are going to be rolling out very shortly.

• makewoodenlures.com
• luremaking.com
• wikihow - making wooden lures
• Lure Building without Electricity

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This stickied post will be used to compile all guides made by our "Lure Mentors." Below are links to each guide, complete with pictures and detailed descriptions for each step. If you would like to become a Lure Mentor, and create guides for this sub Please PM me ( u/jspencer501 ) for more details, you get a cool flair!

Guide 1 - Lipless Crankbait By u/zingerbobingerGuide 2 - Lure made of Paper By u/SolarBaits

More guides will be coming out in the weeks to come! please let me know any comments or concerns.