Tutorials

I will post some tutorials on how to make your own crankbaits with step by step instructions from information that I have gathered from around the Internet.

Here are some pictures step by step:

1. Trace out lure blank pattern from an existing lure, pictures or make your own design

  Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App

2. Trace the side profile from the lure pattern onto a piece of wood, making sure the wood grain runs lengthwise

3. Cut out the side profile of the bait, remember to keep the cutouts, you will need them later

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4. Using a compass, mark the centerline of the lure lengthwise and trace the top profile of the lure onto the blank (NOTE: It is ver important to keep the centerline throughout the lure building process, it will be used to determine hook eye location)


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5. Here is where you will need the cutouts. Tape the cutout back onto the blank. This makes it easier to cut out the top profile because the piece will sit flatter on the table of the saw.

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6. Cut out the top profile of the lure blank, you should end up with a piece that is the rough shape of the lure you desire.


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7. Mark the desired hook eye locations along the lure centerline. Place a small indent in the wood at the hook eye location using a nail or a center punch, so that the drill bit will not 'walk' when you try and drill the holes.

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8. Drill holes for the hook eyes to the desired depth. 
9. Mark a larger drill bit, used to drill a hole for lead weight, with masking tape in order to drill to a certain depth. Too deep and the lure will not be bottom heavy, so it will not swim upright in the water. 

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10. Using the larger drill bit, drill a hole for the weight in the bottom of the lure. This may correspond with the current hok eye location. 

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11. Using a dremel with a sanding drum or a carving knife, roughly shape out the desired body shape

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12. Using a palm sander, or hand sanding with progressively finer sandpaper (from 60-150) sand the lure body to a smooth and even finish. Before final sanding is also a time where you can cut the slot for the lure lip. The angle, size and shape of the lure lip will determine the dept that the lure will swim to. 

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13. Check the fit of the lure lip in the lure body. Make sure the lip is able to be slid out so that epoxy can be applied at a later stage, but not too loose that it just falls out.

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14. Install the screw eyes and lead weight needed. This will vary depending on the type of lure


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15. Now you have a completed mock up of a lure body.

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More to come...






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