Anyone use dowell rods as a blank material? I have some 1 1/4" laying around and thought about using it to possibly make some mini slammer and rat imitators.

go for it. there are no rules about what wood to use

I have already started shaping the tail end with 80 grit sandpaper. Once I get it how I like it I'm going to take the dremel to the baits face. We'll see how it goes. Gonna reverse the angle of the joints. Heard it gives the bait more "life". Gonna try it first hand I guess. Anybody know of any good tools or plans to make my own tool to find center on these d*mn things?

As far as finding the "true" center after all shaping is complete, it is better to shape with a lathe. After the shaping is complete, you just place a drill bit into a Jacobs chuck and drill it center. Last year, I started to do what you are doing now, but lost interest due to lack of a lathe. Still meaning to buy one.

You can do it without a lathe, but the center will not be 100% true. Use a caliper to get the width of the dowel prior to any shaping. Use a ruler to match the calipers measurement and draw a straight line across the diameter. Turn 90 degrees and repeat. The result will be a "X". Center of the X should be the center of the dowel.

Eric

Here is a fun way to find the center: http://www.makeitsolar.com/science-fair-ideas/90-find-circle-center.htm.  And you thought you'd never need geometry again!  

Dowell rods are good for zarra spooks also. A mini lathe is really the best way on the rod. Don't be stuck on what the local lumber gets you and its a norm to see pine and red oak. Online if you buy bulk you can choose from about 6 diffrent woods like maple, white pine, oak and so on. I like white pine  the best but its whatever works best for you. I found a used lathe in the paper after 6 months of looking. Ended up spending $40 and then $30 on parts need (abused ).

I thought about the same as well, but for now I have been pract on old broomsticks, rake handles etc etc.

As for the lathe check this one out ,

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38515

the basics all you need is a drill.

memo

I'm not real worried about a lathe. As bad as my hands cramp and the the blisters I'm getting right now, I really kind of like shaping these by hand and dremel. I'm just looking more for something to mark the center spot on both ends of the dowell I'm shaping before I actually start that process. I know they sell things for this but I like to be cheap when I can haha

You will have to be careful when weighting the bait.   Hardwood dowells won't need much balast weight.   Get a good x-acto wood carving knife, it will make the job a lot easier.

Short note on broom sticks > Very poor quality wood. Most is "YELLOW" pine. Yellow pine is hi in sap and not in strenth. Its the air voids and sap that make this poor. To just practice on > Yes!  but not for your fishing lure that you will use. Each type of wood as its number of air voids, sap content and density. You need all but in a ballanced form.