
How to Make Fishing Lures? Steps For Different Lures!
Making your own fishing lures can be a fun and rewarding way to enhance your fishing experience. Not only do you get the satisfaction of crafting something with your own hands, but you also have the freedom to customize your lures to match the specific conditions and target fish in your area

Whether you’re looking to save money, customize your lures, or simply enjoy the satisfaction of catching fish with something you created, DIY-finished lure-making is a great hobby to explore.
In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of essential steps that we use and our proven tips to help you make fishing lures. From selecting the right materials to mastering different techniques, we’ll walk you through the process of making various types of lures.
Benefits of Making Your Lures
Before you read about how to make a fishing lure, it’s very important to understand why making your own fishing lure is beneficial and whether it’s worth it compared to using commercially available lures. So, let’s learn about some benefits of making lures yourself.
1. Cost-Effective
Making your own fishing lures can save you money in the long run. While there might be an initial investment in materials and tools, the cost per lure decreases significantly compared to purchasing commercial lures.
This is especially beneficial if you frequently lose lures or fish in areas with a lot of snags. For example, making a simple spinner lure might cost you a few cents compared to a few dollars for a store-bought one.
2. Customization
Making lures allows you to tailor them to your specific needs. You can choose the colors, sizes, and styles that best mimic the local baitfish or suit the water conditions you’re fishing in.
This customization can make your lures more effective and increase your catch rates. For instance, you can create a lure that perfectly matches the color of the local minnows that your target fish feed on.
This guide will help you in selecting the colors of the your lures based on water conditions.
3. Personal Satisfaction and Creativity
There’s a unique satisfaction in catching fish with a lure you made yourself. It’s a creative outlet that lets you experiment with different designs and materials, adding a personal touch to your fishing gear.
Each lure becomes a reflection of your creativity and skill. Imagine the thrill of landing a big fish using a lure that you crafted with your own hands.
4. Improved Skills
Making your own lures can enhance your overall fishing knowledge. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of lure design, fish behavior, and how different materials and shapes affect lure action in the water.
This knowledge can translate into better fishing techniques and more successful outings. For example, understanding how to balance the weight of a lure can help you create lures that move more naturally in the water, attracting more fish.
5. Environmental Sustainability
DIY lure-making can be more environmentally friendly. You can use eco-friendly materials like wood or recycled metals, reducing plastic waste.
Also, making your own lures means fewer mass-produced lures end up as litter in our waterways. Using biodegradable materials for your lures can also reduce your environmental footprint.
6. Learning Opportunity
Creating your own lures provides a great learning opportunity. You can learn about different fish species and their feeding habits, as well as the impact of water conditions on fishing success.
This knowledge can make you a more skilled and knowledgeable angler. For example, learning to tie your own flies for fly fishing can deepen your understanding of insect life cycles and how they relate to fish feeding patterns.
8. Unique and Specialized Lures
When you make your own lures, you can create unique designs that are not available in stores. This can give you an edge when fishing in heavily pressured waters where fish may have seen every commercial lure.
Customizing lures to target specific fish or fishing conditions can increase your chances of success. For example, you can create a lure with a unique color pattern that is particularly effective in your local waters.
Setting Up Your Workbench for Lure Making
Setting up a dedicated workbench for lure-making is essential. Make sure you have proper ventilation and wear protective gear like a respirator and leather gloves. You’ll need basic tools like glass mixing bowls, metal spoons, molds, and materials such as plastic, wood, or metal for the lures. These can be sourced from local stores or online suppliers.
Before you start crafting your custom lures, it’s important to set up a proper workbench with the essential tools you’ll need. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started:
1. Choose a Work Space
Find a comfortable, well-lit area where you can set up your workbench. It could be a garage, basement, or a dedicated corner in a room. Ensure you have good ventilation, especially if you’ll be working with paints and adhesives.
2. Gather Basic Tools
- Safety Glasses: Protect your eyes from dust and debris.
- Gloves: Use gloves to handle sharp tools and hot materials safely.
- Utility Knife: For cutting and trimming materials.
- File and Sandpaper: To smooth and shape your lures.
- Pliers (to create lure through wire): Needle-nose pliers are great for bending wire and holding small parts.
- Hand Drill or Power Drill: Essential for creating holes for hooks and weights.
- Small Drill Bits: Various sizes for different tasks.
- Silicone Molds: For creating soft plastic lures.
- Lead Melting Pot: If you plan to make jigs or weighted lures.
- Paint Brushes and Airbrush: For detailed painting and adding patterns.
- Heat Gun: To cure the paint and ensure it adheres properly.
- Clear Coat: Think about how many coats are needed. To protect the paint add a glossy finish.
- Wire Cutters: For cutting through the wire to the desired length.
- Split Ring Pliers: For attaching hooks and other components.
- Tweezers: Helpful for placing small parts accurately.
- Ruler or Measuring Tape: For precise measurements.
- Calipers: Useful for detailed measurements of small parts.
- First Aid Kit: Keep a first aid kit nearby to handle minor injuries promptly.
- Safety Gear: Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from dust and debris. Gloves are also important to protect your hands from cuts and burns.
3. Good Lightning
Good lighting is crucial for detailed tasks like lure making. Here’s how to ensure your workspace is well-lit:
- Install bright overhead lights to illuminate the entire area.
- Add a desk lamp for close-up work. This extra lighting helps you see fine details better and reduces eye strain.
4. Make Arrangements For Ventilation
Proper ventilation is essential, especially when working with paints, adhesives, and melting lead. Here’s how to maintain good airflow:
- Ensure your workspace has windows that can be opened to let fresh air in.
- Use a small fan to circulate air and disperse fumes. This helps keep the air clean and safe to breathe.
Steps for Making Fishing Lures
Creating your own fishing lures can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Here’s a detailed guide to making various types of fishing lures: soft-plastic lures, hard-body lures, spoon lures, and spinnerbaits and jigs. Each step has been refined with real information to ensure accuracy and effectiveness.
For Soft-Plastic Lures

Materials Needed
- Plastisol
- Colorant and glitter
- Soft plastic mold
- Injector
- Microwave
- Mixing cups and stir sticks
- Gloves and safety glasses
Steps
- Shake the Plastisol bottle well and pour the desired amount into a microwave-safe cup.
- Microwave the Plastisol in 30-second intervals until it becomes liquid.
- Once heated, add your desired colorant and glitter. Stir thoroughly for an even mix.
- Carefully inject the heated Plastisol into the mold.
- Allow the mold to cool for a few minutes before removing the lure.
- Trim any excess plastic with a sharp knife.
For Hard-Body Lures

Materials Needed
- Wood (balsa or cedar) or hard plastic
- Saw and carving tools
- Sandpaper
- Drill and small bits
- Weights (optional)
- Screw eyes
- Paints and clear coat
- Hooks and split rings
Steps
- Outline your lure on the wood or plastic and cut out the rough shape.
- Carve and sand the lure to its final shape, ensuring smooth edges.
- Drill holes for the screw eyes and any weights.
- Insert weights if needed and screw in the eyes.
- Apply a base coat, let it dry, and add details such as scales, eyes, and patterns.
- Use split ring pliers to attach hooks to the screw eyes.
For Spoon Lures

Materials Needed
- Metal spoons or flat metal pieces
- Hammer and anvil
- Drill and bits
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Paints and clear coat
- Hooks and split rings
Steps
- Cut and flatten the metal piece to your desired shape using a hammer.
- Drill a hole at the top for the line attachment and another at the bottom for the hook.
- Sand all edges to ensure there are no sharp points.
- Apply a base coat and let it dry before adding any desired patterns or colors.
- Use split ring pliers to attach hooks to the bottom hole.
Spinnerbaits and Jigs

Materials Needed
- Wire forms for spinnerbaits
- Lead for jigs
- Molds for jigs
- Blades for spinnerbaits
- Rubber or silicone skirts
- Paints and clear coat
- Hooks
- Split rings and swivels
Steps for Spinnerbaits
- Bend the wire to create the spinnerbait frame and attach blades.
- Secure the hook to the wire frame.
- Attach rubber or silicone skirts near the hook.
- Paint the lead head and add a clear coat for protection.
Check our guide on Best use case scenarios of Spinnerbaits
Steps for Jigs
- Melt lead and pour it into a jig mold with a hook inside. Allow it to cool.
- Paint the lead head and add a clear coat for protection.
- Secure rubber or silicone skirts to the jig head.
Techniques and Tips from Fish Chart’s Experts
Making homemade lures can be a rewarding and fun experience. Here are some techniques and tips from Fish Chart’s experts to help you create effective lures.
Materials & Basic Steps
- Start with a good-quality hook. It’s the core of your lure.
- Stainless steel wire is durable and rust-resistant.
- Choose different colors and sizes.
- Use non-toxic paints and waterproof coatings to protect your lure.
- Decide on the type of fish you are targeting. Different fish prefer different lures.
- Cut and shape your lure. You can use wood, metal, or plastic.
- Secure the hook firmly to ensure it stays in place.
- Beads, blades, and feathers can make your lure more appealing.
- Apply a base coat, add details, and seal with a waterproof finish.
Tips for Success
Use colors and designs that mimic the natural prey of the fish you’re targeting. Before going fishing, test your lure in water to check its movement. Sometimes, simple designs work best. Don’t overcomplicate your lure. Watch videos and read articles from experienced anglers to gather new ideas.
Use Unique Color Combinations
Experiment with different paint colors and patterns. Natural colors like greens and browns work well in clear water, while bright colors like chartreuse and red are effective in murky waters.
Try adding glitter or metallic paints to make your lures more attractive. These can mimic the scales of a fish, making the lure more enticing.
Add Realistic Details
Use fine brushes or airbrushes to paint realistic patterns like stripes or spots that mimic local baitfish.
Attach 3D eyes to your lures. These can be bought from fishing supply stores and add a realistic touch that can attract more fish.
Experimenting with Materials
Soft plastic lures can be customized by mixing different colors and adding scents to the plastisol before pouring it into molds. Scents like garlic or anise can make the lure more attractive to fish.
Experiment with different mold shapes to create unique lure designs like worms, crawfish, or baitfish.
When making wooden lures, try different types of wood such as balsa, cedar, or basswood. Each type has different buoyancy and carving properties. Balsa is lightweight and buoyant, cedar is durable, and basswood is easy to carve.
Incorporate materials like feathers, fur, or rubber skirts to add movement and realism to your lures. These can be especially effective for spinnerbaits and jigs.
Adjust Weighting and Balancing
Adding weights to different parts of the lure can change its action. For example, placing weights near the tail can make the lure swim deeper, while weights near the head can create a diving action.
Use split shot weights or tungsten beads to fine-tune the balance of your lures. Testing them in water will help you see how they move and make necessary adjustments.
Add Sound and Vibration
Incorporate rattles or beads inside the lure to create noise, which can attract fish in murky waters or at night. Use spinner blades or propellers to add vibration and flash. These can be attached to the wire forms of spinnerbaits or inline spinners to make them more noticeable to fish.
In case you’re looking for commercial fishing lures, check out our recommendations on some of the lures that might interest you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Choose the Right Hook for My Lure?
Choosing the right hook is crucial for making effective lures. The size and type of hook depend on the species of fish you’re targeting and the type of lure you’re making. For example, treble hooks are commonly used for hard-body lures and spinnerbaits, while single hooks are often used for soft plastics and jigs.
Can I Make Lures Without Specialized Tools?
Yes, you can start making simple lures with basic tools found around the house. A utility knife, pliers, and some sandpaper can be enough to create basic wooden lures or simple soft-plastic designs. Using balsa wood can make the carving process easier.
How Long Does It Take to Make a Fishing Lure?
The time it takes to make a fishing lure depends on the complexity of the design and your level of experience. Simple lures, like spoon lures, can be made in an hour or two. More complex designs, such as detailed hard-body lures with intricate paint jobs, can take several hours to complete. Using balsa wood can speed up the process due to its ease of carving.
What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid in Lure Making?
Some common mistakes in lure-making include using poor-quality materials, not properly balancing the lure, and neglecting to test the lure’s action in the water. It’s crucial to ensure that all components are securely attached because loose parts can result in lost fish. Also, using the wrong size or type of hook can affect the lure’s performance.
Where Can I Find Inspiration for Lure Designs?
Inspiration for lure designs can come from various sources, including nature, commercial lures, and other anglers. Observing the baitfish and insects in your local fishing spots can provide ideas for color patterns and shapes. Online communities, fishing forums, and social media groups are also excellent places to see what other lure makers are creating and to get feedback on your designs. Additionally, examining how diving lips and other features are used in commercial lures can inspire your creations.