How to Make Fishing Lures at Home (Beginner-Friendly DIY Guide)

So you’re staring at your tackle box, wondering:
“Could I actually make my own fishing lures?”
Short answer: Yes, absolutely.
Long answer: And it’s way more fun than you think.

Whether you’re a weekend angler looking to save money, a craft lover wanting a new challenge, or just tired of mass-produced lures that don’t work—this guide is for you.

We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to make fishing lures:

• 🧰 Tools & materials for DIY lure making

• 🪵 How to make wooden lures

• 🧼 How to make soft plastic baits

• 🧪 How to make hard plastic lures (resin or injection)

• 🎨 Painting & finishing techniques

• 🔧 How to test and tune your lure

• ✅ Pro tips & common mistakes

• 📷 Bonus: Photo references and helpful diagrams

Let’s get our hands dirty (in a good way).

🔧 What You’ll Need (Basic Tools & Supplies)

Before you start carving or pouring, let’s round up your basic lure-crafting kit.

🛠️ For All Types:

• Safety glasses + gloves

• Hobby knife or X-Acto

• Small drill or Dremel

• Epoxy or superglue

• Sandpaper (100–400 grit)

• Split rings and treble hooks

• Eye screws or hook hangers

• Acrylic paint or lure paint

• Clear coat or UV resin

• Airbrush (optional but helpful)

🔲 Extras (depending on lure type):

🪵 Part 1: How to Make Wooden Fishing Lures

Wood lures are old-school cool—and they still catch fish like crazy. You can shape them by hand or use a rotary tool.

✅ Best for:

• Topwater lures (poppers, stickbaits)

• Crankbaits

• Swimbaits

🧱 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose Your Wood

Cedar is durable and easy to shape. Balsa is lighter, ideal for topwater lures.

2. Sketch Your Shape

Use pencil to outline your design on a block. Try a basic torpedo or banana-shaped body first.

3. Cut and Shape

Cut out your lure using a coping saw or scroll saw. Then sand it smooth, refining the curves.

4. Drill Hardware Holes

Drill pilot holes for hook hangers, weights, and screw eyes. Use masking tape to mark drill depth.

5. Add Weight (Optional)

If you’re making a crankbait, add lead sinkers or steel balls to control buoyancy.

6. Seal the Wood

Apply a wood sealer or thin epoxy to waterproof it.

7. Paint and Decorate

Use acrylic or lure paint. You can add:

• Eyes (stick-on or painted)

• Scales (with mesh netting)

• Gills or stripes

8. Clear Coat

Brush or dip in epoxy, or use UV resin for a shiny, durable finish.

9. Attach Hooks and Rings

Use split rings to connect hooks. You’ve just made your first wooden lure!

🧼 Part 2: How to Make Soft Plastic Lures

Soft plastics are the kings of finesse fishing. They wiggle, they look alive, and now—you can make them yourself.

✅ Best for:

• Worms

• Grubs

• Creature baits

• Swimbaits

🧱 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Get a Mold

Start with a silicone mold. You can buy one or make your own using silicone and a master bait.

2. Prepare the Plastisol

Heat liquid plastisol in a microwave-safe container. Heat slowly (10–15 sec intervals) until clear and around 350°F.

3. Add Color and Glitter

Mix in colorants, glitter, or scent.

4. Pour Into Mold

Slowly pour the hot plastisol into the mold. Use gloves and caution!

5. Let It Cool

Takes about 10–15 minutes to fully set.

6. Remove and Trim

Pop out the bait, trim excess plastic with scissors.

7. Cure in Warm Water (Optional)

Letting baits soak in hot water (~160°F) makes them more durable.

🔥 DIY Mold-Making Tip:

Make a custom silicone mold using:

• Silicone caulk

• Cornstarch

• Your favorite bait as a shape guide

Mix, press in bait, wait 24 hrs, done!

🧪 Part 3: How to Make Hard Plastic Lures

This method is for next-level makers. It involves resin or injection molding but gives you pro-quality results.

✅ Best for:

• Crankbaits

• Jerkbaits

• Spinnerbaits

You’ll Need:

• 2-part polyurethane resin

• Silicone or aluminum injection molds

• Mixer cups

• Pressure pot (for no bubbles)

Steps:

1. Mix the resin per manufacturer instructions

2. Pour or inject into mold

3. Let it cure (usually 30 mins–1 hour)

4. Sand edges

5. Paint and clear coat as with wooden lures

6. Add hooks and split rings

💡 Pro Tip: You can embed rattles or reflective tape during the pour.

🎨 Painting & Finishing Your Lures

A good paint job can mean the difference between “just a lure” and a fish magnet.

Tools:

• Airbrush or paintbrushes

• Acrylic lure paint

• Fine mesh for scale patterns

• Stick-on or 3D eyes

• Clear coat: epoxy, UV resin, or clear spray

Pro Paint Tips:

• Use light base coats

• Add layers: back, belly, sides

• Use stencils for clean edges

• Let each layer dry before the next

• Add 2–3 coats of epoxy for durability

🧪 How to Test Your DIY Lures

Before hitting the water, test in a tub, pool, or bucket:

• Does it float, sink, or suspend?

• Does it wobble or swim right?

• Are hooks balanced?

⚖️ Tweak weights, hook size, or tie-on point to adjust performance.

🔧 Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

📸 Visual References

Wood lure shaping process

Soft plastic bait pouring into mold

🧠 Why Make Your Own Lures?

• 🎯 Customization: Match your local fish and waters

• 💸 Save money: Especially if you lose a lot of lures

• 🧠 Satisfaction: Nothing beats catching fish on something you made

• 🔄 Experimentation: Mix colors, add rattles, test swim styles

• 🎁 Great gifts for fishing friends

🧵 Bonus: Starter Kit Recommendation

Here’s a basic soft plastic starter kit to begin with:

• 2 silicone molds

• 1 qt plastisol

• 3 colorants

• Glitter pack

• Mixing cup + gloves

• 10 hooks
  💡 Cost: Under $50

🏁 Final Thoughts

Making fishing lures is more than a DIY project—it’s an art form that blends science, skill, and a bit of obsession. Whether you’re carving wood in your garage, pouring soft plastic in the kitchen, or airbrushing your first crankbait, the pride of catching a fish on your own lure is unbeatable.

So start small, get creative, and don’t worry about perfection. Fish don’t care if it’s museum quality—they care how it moves.

🌐 Want More Lure-Making Tips?

Visit lurebolt.com for more lure-building tutorials, gear reviews, and hands-on videos to take your DIY fishing game to the next level.