But none of the websites give sizes to blades, clevises, beads etc. They give #2,#3,#4 and I have no idea what any of that means as there are no size-# reference charts. Do any of you guys make your own spinners? I am REALLY liking those Tarantula all in one spinner skirts but I cannot figure out the hardware aspect. I see some blades have designs, have holographic images so on and so forth. How do I know what I would need and if I am coming out the same as just buying them flat out is it even worth doing in the first place?

Jannsnetcraft or Lurepartsonline has blade size charts in their hard copy catalog. Unless you plan on doing a lot of them or want something you just can't find it won't be worth the price, but I make or customize a ton of spinnerbaits every year.

I've been making my own spinnerbaits for a long time and while it doesn't look like much there is a lot to know. You have to be aware of wire diameters if you plan on pouring your own as I do, I like to bend my own wire so I know what I'm using as some companies will use cheap wire to make wire forms for max profit. The blade and hardware sizes can be found at a number of places, and to read them is easy, for example, you will see the top blade and normally they will give you the top blade size for a willow and a Colorado, the number you see, #2, #3,etc. is the size blade. For a 1/2oz spinnerbait, the general blade sizes would be like a #5 willow on the top and a #3 Colorado on the bottom, if it is double willows then you would see a #4 willow instead of the #3 Colorado. The clevis size depends on the wire diameter, but a size #3 takes care of 90% of the baits you make, I use a size #2 clevis on baits that use .035 diameter wire or less, but if it is a bait that uses a #3 Colorado or a #4 willow then wire diameter doesn't matter, I'm using the size #3 clevis. It isn't hard once you understand how all the components work and you get used to seeing the different blade sizes but there is one word of advise I'd like to share, and that is to use good quality ball bearing swivels on your baits, there are only 2 that I would use, and that is either Sampo or my personal favorite, Worth. The other thing is the blades themselves, I use only Worth blades but when buying from most vendors they will usually have some from Worth, and some from Lakeland, mixing them will make your baits inconsistent because the size is slightly off where a size #5 Worth is a #4.5 Lakeland, but the vendors have them separated by finish so if you stick to one finish until you learn the differences then you can't go wrong. I'd be glad to help you in any other way but be warned, it is expensive, most if it is in the form of blades and swivels and skirt material.

 

EDIT: If you plan on just making a few for yourself and some friends, then you may want to buy a kit because to get started will set you back quite a sum, I pour my own and I get a price break when I get components in bulk but it still cost $2.00 per bait if you use a high quality swivel and blades, if you don't buy in bulk and use high quality stuff it can run even higher so if you don't want to do this as a full time hobby then I suggest just buying them already made.

I second the kits. Jann's Netcraft has a good one for about $20.

You make spinnerbaits because you want to make spinner baits.  If you are looking at it from a cost stand point, you might not ever cover the cost of your tools, unless you make and use a LOT of spinner baits.  That isn't any reason not to do it.  It is a boys and toys situation.  If you want to make spinner baits, knock yourself out.  I'm sure that there is a learning curve to spinner bait construction just like there is to any other hobby.

 

The few times I've wanted/needed a custom spinnerbait for certain conditions, I've always been able to find someone to make them for me.

It's not so much that I was looking at it from a "cost" standpoint but more or less cost and making exactly what I want. I know I can buy spinnerbaits from local stores but I am stuck with their color combo as opposed to color combos I make on my own or finding premade skirts with color combos that appeal to me. I actually just ordered some jig heads and different skirts (premade) but now I can tweak the color combos to what I am looking for while still paying around the same. I may still try doing spinnerbaits also but will wait a little bit.

 

You make spinnerbaits because you want to make spinner baits.  If you are looking at it from a cost stand point, you might not ever cover the cost of your tools, unless you make and use a LOT of spinner baits.  That isn't any reason not to do it.  It is a boys and toys situation.  If you want to make spinner baits, knock yourself out.  I'm sure that there is a learning curve to spinner bait construction just like there is to any other hobby.

 

The few times I've wanted/needed a custom spinnerbait for certain conditions, I've always been able to find someone to make them for me.