Over 10 years ago a member from my bass club showed me some jigs he made from scratch using thread, living rubber and sealer. I decided to buy some jigheads with fiber guards and some spinnerbait forms, and tie my own. I was new to jig and spinnerbait fishing, so I didn't expect that my lures would be as good as those mass produced. Thankfully I was dead wrong!

For many years, I knew that you can rejuvenate a plastic worm by using a hot knife to seal slits and holes. The plastic was a little softer where the mend took place, but the worm looked almost new and could catch more fish. (This was used on favorite worms that were taken off the shelves and which I had caught bunches of bass on.)

Two years ago, I showed a friend how to repair soft plastics using the knife method and he went one further - cutting the worm in half, getting rid of the torn up areas, putting the ends over a flame, and welding the peices back together. Senkos were the prime use of this technique, since they are the most expensive disposable plastic ever made, and came out as good as new. Plus, you could weld to different colored worms together. (ie. bright tail to black body, etc.)

He went on to buying a kit that had a few mold cavities of worms and grubs, dye, a quart of plastic and instructions. We went fishing in early spring, last year, and his 4", split shot stick caught the only fish, weighing in at 3.5 lbs. (He was immediately hooked on pouring and has never bought a Senko since and he came in first place in his bass club's second division.)

He decided to advertise on his own and other sites, and see if people would buy his handpoured baits. They did, so he expanded his selection, added Mega Strike scent and now has more colors than Yamamoto.

All of this shows that "if you build it, they will be caught" (Lake of Dreams) There are many lures you can make yourself, as are displayed in the photo gallery on tackleunderground.com. The site has different sections dedicated to making various lure types. Crankbaits, soft plastics, fly tying, in-lines and other wire baits, are a few.

I offer a free how-to on making your own molds from cheap plaster and also sell heat resistant glitter to hard and soft bait makers. Many of the guys on the above site sell their stuff to diehard customers, due to quality, service and lure uniqueness. People can request special colors and not have to worry that a worm style or color will be discontinued. I've copied quite a few worm styles that will never be seen again such as Gator Tails by Ditto and a Riverside design called the Big Wag. Besides, you can make lures as small as 1" to giant 12" worms.

Anyone can tie their own, pour their own, assemble their own and create new designs with a little practice and a very small investment. It sure makes the winter months go a little faster and is the best extension of the sport!

Sam

you can still buy most of those worms you spoke about on the internet if you can't find any email me i just got rid of a ton of gatortail worms and others

8)I currently make my own Jigs, and spinnerbaits. I sell them to the guys I work with and the guys I fish with at tournaments etc... It's a great feeling when you catch a fish on something you made yourself. Its also fun to hear stories from your fishin buddies on how well they did using the baits you made for them. It just started out as tinkering for me. Then I made a couple spinnerbaits. I bought the lead in bulk made my own wires using five star wire bound note books. "took the wire out of the book" and used quality Owner hooks. I took my first couple out on a pre-fishing trip to Patoka lake. "lake is located in southern Indiana" I had one tied on my spinnerbait rod 3/8 oz with on #4 willow leaf blade and two #2.5 willow leaf blades in early June. My partner made fun of me because I had not even painted the head of the bait and the skirt was plan white, But by the end of the day he had asked me to make him one. I did and the word spread. I now sell them for $4.00 a pop. Jigs are $3.50 by the way I now paint the heads and have an assortment of colors. I don't sell many maybe 35 spinnerbaits and 20 jigs a year but it is a fun hobby. I actually one the buddy tournament I was pre-fishing for we caught three of our seven keepers on the Spinnerbaits I had made. If you want to try one of my baits let me know I'll ship free of charge.

Tight Lines,

Fatdaddy151

Chris, I've never seen the Big Wag worm anywhere once Riverside went out of business (were bought out by Pure Fishing). Bill Norman doesn't carry Snatrix anymore. Mr. Twister doesn't produce the pocket Phenom. But more important, I fuse parts of worms and grubs together to come up with new designs or copy existing ones.

For example, I've made a good copy of Yamamoto's Cut Tail worm by fusing a Zoom Speed Worm to a curly tail plasic worm and cutting the tail at an angle. Good lure action and I'm satisfied I'm not making GY any richer.  

It's nice not having to depend on a company for tackle you can handcraft yourself, whether it be rods, cranks, jigs or worms. Many don't have the inclination or time to make their own and don't mind the extra expense. I make a good Senko copy in all my favorite colors for a dime. I used to pay  70 cents a worm (S&H, gas mileage or tax not included).

Do I chose to pay $70 per 100 or $10 per hundred? Just a bonus in my book.

Sam

I make crankbaits, so I fish with them a lot, but agree with Sam, change from the norm and do things a little diffferent try to show them something they don't see everyday. Cranks, plastic, or spinner baits can all be modified or improved. Had someone handed me a tube 20 years ago I would have thought he was nuts to even try to catch fish on the thing.

Do you post on TU, Whittler?!! That's one mighty pretty crank. What do you sell them for?

Sam

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