I am a college student who is looking to get into building some custom lures. Nothing too fancy, like the idea of catching on my own.

I've read a lot of information but I live in an apartment with 5 other guys. A lathe is out of question so is a airbrush.

My first thought was to order blanks to paint. I have read of some sites with plastic blanks but would prefer wood.

Painting- Can I use paint from Hobby store with a paint brush (say, in a shoe box to keep the mess down)? Or do I need to get spraypaint?

Thanks for any help you can provide!

you could go to the hobby store, pick up some basswood blocks, some devcon 2-ton epoxy, paintbrushes, and some acrylic hobby paints in assorted colors. you can carve your own lures out of the wood (might need to go to the hardware store and pick up some screw eyes and split rings to attach hooks), paint them with the acrylic, and put epoxy over the final product.

it does not matter what kind of paint you use, because it will be covred by epoxy so it wont get damaged.

I pour jigs on the tailgate of my truck.  I live in an apartment.  I can't wait til I get my new house in a month or so.  The FIRST thing I'm doing is building a workbench and buying about a dozen or so blanks to start rod building.  Need a new lead melting pot too.

Working out of an apartment isn't so bad.  I'm not sure about the painting, but if you're wanting to tie skirts or pour jigs, it's not hard.  Just be sure to be careful with hot lead and make sure you have plenty of air flow.