Few Questions

What do I need to get started?

How much will it cost?

Would I be able to make Proffit by selling them?

First off, nobody can make em' like Big M

Look around on tackleunderground.com's forums.

It's helped me the most.  Good luck

First off, nobody can make em' like Big M

Look around on tackleunderground.com's forums.

It's helped me the most.  Good luck

lol thanks hookem  

First, you want to make baits better than Big M.  I started this hobby about 5 yrs ago and I've only been selling baits for about 2 yrs.  I did not feel my baits were worth selling before now.  

I started with a coping saw, exacto wood carving knife, and sandpaper.  I caught fish on those old baits but they are ugly, and I was painting with a brush and water colors.  Now I have a drill press, belt sander, scroll saw, air compressor and several airbrushes.  Approx 500 dollars in equipment, another 150-200 in paint.  This is not the cheapest hobby to get into, but I sure do enjoy it.  

Now as far as making money, I'm now just starting to make some profit.  All of my equipment and supplies are now paid for.  But there is a drawback to some success, I've been fishing 2x in 3 months.

It takes a minimum of 5 hrs per bait and that adds up real quick.

There is some good info on TU like Hookem Down stated, but if you have any questions just send me a PM and I'll answer just about anything for you.   I do have a secret or two that I won't give away

Few Questions

What do I need to get started?

How much will it cost?

Would I be able to make Proffit by selling them?

I do not want to seem like I'm discouraging you at all, I am not, far from it, but from your list, it appears that you want to sell baits, and that's your primary goal. First and foremost, you really need to start by studying the cranks you have already, smoke them over, cut a few in half, cut a few more in half, fish them in all sorts of situation, weigh them, measure them, anything you can do to gain an understanding of what you're trying to do. Selling them shoudl be last on your mind at this point, it'll have you rushing through steps to get a saleable piece, and you'll end up cutting corners, and have a product that shows!

It's really hard to say where to start, after you study other baits. My method to learn how to create baits, and one that seems sadly pushed aside is trial and error. Get a pocketknife and some wood and go for it. Doesn't matter what sort of knife or wood, just make a crank. Take a lip out of another bait, cut one out of lexan or circuitboard, heck, cut one out of a tin can, it doesn't matter what it looks like, what matters is how is swims. When you are done, compare that to other baits you have, and try to understand WHY and HOW it does what it does.

As far as the tools, Marty has that covered, and you'll probably ignore this advice, but it's all true Once you begin to understand the mechanics of it, the rest will fall into place, including the fish.

As far as a profit, one can be made, but hand making baits is a labor of love, from worms to spinnerbaits to cranks, do it for that, do it because you enjoy it and it'll show in your work. I know, it sounds corny as hell, but it's true too! Like Marty said, at 5 hours per bait ($15-$20 per bait doesn't sound so great now, does it!), you'll never get rich off of it, but you'll have a great time, and eventually, even your baits will be free. Great crankbait makers are in short supply, yet there are tons lined up to fish them

The entire point is to not be shortsighted, and only see the money aspect of it, it's a lot of work, but as time goes by, you'll get better and faster at it, but it'll take a lot of time, so get started, you've got work to do!