I've always wanted to know how many folks out there really make and use their own bait and tackle. A (old old) guy that used to live next door to me made just about 100% of his tackle in his garage..probably because he had the time.

Curious to see how you guys poll.

Over 75%.  as far as I can remember the only baits I've thrown this year that were not home made were some tubes and Ragetail anacondas just to try them.  Few jerkbaits too.  

I'm well over 75% though.  That includes homemade baits by other members.  I've sold off almost all of my non-homemade tackle.

I have a bunch of molds for lead and plastic.  The molds for plastic I make myself.  That being said, I make my jig trailers and craws.  I mold my own jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and spoons.  I skirt and tie all of them myself.

I don't make: shaky worms, bass tubes, jerk baits, or Zara spooks and that is about all I use that isn't homemade.

About 95% of all the hard (crankbaits-swimbaits) that I use are homemade. I have purchased 1 hard bait this year, a Sebile swimbait, it has all the action of a sharp stick, if it had lead in it it could be used for a pencil.

50% of my plastic's are homemade. I have a buddy that make's them. 99,9% of my crank's I have painted up to fit the bait fish we have around here. 'DANG BAITMONKEY MADE ME DO IT'.lol

Other than cost saving and customization, what other advantages are there?

CONFIDENCE!!!

I make about 90% of the plastics I use but have very few homemade cranks.

Other than cost saving and customization, what other advantages are there?

making baits is fun and its very satisfying to catch fish on your own baits

-0-

I buy some custom jigs, but otherwise, everything I fish is produced

by a "commercial" tacklemaker.

8-)

How much of an initial investment for soft plastics?