cutthroat_xo

many thanks everyone!

After being in touch with people who paint their own custom baits either for personal use or for their own business, it's peaked my interest enough to the point where I'd like to do my own. I have the artistic background (digital artist & airbrush makeup artist for a haunted house), but I'd like to know what supplies I SHOULD have or look into purchasing to get started. What brand blanks, what sizes/styles you've found are the most popular, masking material, things to build bait trees, dressed trebles (trailers), whats the best top coat, paints etc. I have the airbrush, and have a basic idea of what paints I was going to purchase, but any feedback on brands or things to look into and or avoid would be greatly appreciated! And if anyone here makes custom in-line spinners or paints spoons, that would also be wonderful! I want to definitely include spoons (salmon, musky sizes etc) but was wondering how I would go about drying and painting an object I really can't put into a traditional crank bait holder.

Thanks a bunch!

I don't even want to think about how much money I spend on fishing in a year, but I'm glad to read that I'm not crazy and dropping four digits on fishing gear is actually a normal behavior. Between lures, line, hooks, weights, multiple state licenses, club memberships, tournament/derby entry fee's etc. I spend a good chunk of money. This year was the worst because I upgraded all of my equipment. GC's on the holiday's and birthday's served me well, so take $150 off of my out of pocket cost. Also when family went on vaca this year they came back from BPS with about 20 lures for me. 20 free lures and $150 in giftcards aside, it's safe to say that I've probably spent 2k on fishing gear this year, not including gas/food.

Thanks for the welcomes, so far I've had fun just cruising all the existing threads. And hello fellow New Englander! I'm a NH native myself, hopped state lines over to Maine.

Hello fellow Mainer! Welcome

Thanks.................

Thanks for the welcome!

I suppose I should start off by saying Hello everyone, and typing up a little personal biography about myself/my fishing career. For starters I am from Maine specifically, and have been fishing since I could walk as it runs in the family. I've fished everywhere throughout New England, freshwater only. I've never saltwater fished in my life. My first love was spinning reels, just recently taught myself how to use a baitcast and I'm pretty addicted to it. I also thought it would be a swell idea to try and teach myself how to fly fish, although that's not working out so smoothly. Fishing wise my first love is and probably always will be the trout. However I am still on the hunt for my first Lake Trout. I am also a lover of Pike and Muskies, though I have never personally caught one. That will be my next fishing adventure! My first Bass Tournament will be with The ABAA Division 2. I currently run a fishing blog that just recently started filled with reviews, rambles, photos and advertisement stuff. It's basically a mini Field & Stream. I plan on starting up my own custom lure business here right off as well, as I've discovered my digital art talents translate well over into the custom bait world. All of my rambling aside, fishing is my life, my passion, and absolutely my addiction. I may love muskie, but I promise I don't bite like one so come on over and say hello! PS. I'm sort of lame with jokes and puns, excuse the stupid humor that may leak from my keyboard on occasion.