Why would anyone want to make their own Musky Lures? - by Frank

A very accomplished lure maker, who is well revered on popular tackle making forums, attaches this saying to his every post...  "We spend thousands of hours, and thousands of dollars, making thousands of lures because we lost a few in the rocks". ........Clearly that's hilarious, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,   But that is not why we make our own lures!!!!!!!   The only way you will ever have "Special Baits" in "Special Colors" with "Special Action"  (that competitors cannot access) is by making them yourself.

My second favorite memory of lure making is catching 3 Muskies in one day - two fish (46" and 40") on baits I had made,,,, and one fish (42") on a bait I had painted and taped.....................My favorite memory is losing a trophy fish on the very first 14" bait Rick and I had ever made.   No the lure didn't break, but the 30# Monel Trolling Wire did, after the fish wrapped up in a 4' 90lb seven strand leader, and the Monel got caught in a 7/0 treble hook barb.  Anyway -

My fishing partner Rick has started this blog with the good intention of sharing all that we have learned  (good and bad) about making fishing lures...........And to also generate interest and discussion about this craft, for beginners as well as journeymen lure makers.

It's not so hard - cutting and sanding wood.  However, it is challenging to squarely slot a bait, install a diving bill, center it, and actually have the bait swim 4mph.   Paint and finish as well as action are what sets baits apart - custom from commercial -  and this blog is meant to help those who are interested - Get Started.

Watch the video (attached link) several times and note the difference in the action of  the 5 identical lures.  You can see the varied placement of the weight at the bottom of every bait.  You can also see how this  dramatically achieves different action.  The different weight/placement is the only difference/variable in the 5 lures.

From Minnow bait weights and action

Much like a homemade pizza - with garage bait making - you can have your baits exactly the way you want them......    If this interests you ,,, Post a comment !!!!   Or a question ???

Happy Holidays,
Frank Postal