I was directed to this forum specifically for the tacklemaking section.

I recently started painting some old jig heads that were beaten-up. Intrigued, I moved on to some of my lures. I sanded off their paint, painted them with all-purpose acrylic craft paint, then finished them off with a waterproof gloss spray paint. Some also have custom eyes. I've tried them out in the water, and they all work fine. Pics are included below.

Now that I've noticed the benefits to an airbrush, I have to ask. Is an airbrush is easy as you guys make it out to be? Or should I just stick to my goofy craft-painted lures? I've really gotten into this hobby, and I want to make the best lures possible. However, I don't want to buy an airbrush, and completely fail at using it. So is it easy, or do you need to be a great artist to pull it off?

Not bad for spray paint

I want to make the best lures possible. However, I don't want to buy an airbrush, and completely fail at using it.

You definitely don't have to be an artist to paint lures with an airbrush, especially classic patterns....you just need some practice. 

Pick up a decent gravity feed airbrush and start having some fun with it.   

WITH PRACTICE, an airbrush job looks better than hand painted.  When I say "better", I mean better to humans that fish the lures.  Whether fine shading and other airbrush effects matter to the fish is a different question.  And there's the other important question -  regardless of what the fish think, will you fish the lure better and with more confidence if you think it's prettier painted with an airbrush?

I've always said that if I can learn to paint with an airbrush anybody can.   Get a good brush and good paint to start.   Then it's just a matter of practice to learn how to make you baits look good.   I'm never happy with my painting but the baits do catch fish.

Definitely try an airbrush. You honestly need no artistic skills, just practice. I can't even draw a good stick man ;D