I am interested in making or even painting my own lures. I came out here from Jerdey Shore 2 yrs ago and find the big mouths to be very finicky,especally in smaller lakes and ponds. and that is where I do most of my fishing. The tend to be deep though. I never had much luck with crank or spinner baits but I do fish them. I just need to find out what to get them on.Even my old stand by plastics don't do much Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Well before u go off and start making your own lures...I'd try to put the pieces together in the puzzle, as to why they aren't hitting your lures. Granted, fish won't hit everything every time. If there deep, and now the water temp is falling, your going to have to down size your baits and slow your presentation down. Fish your baits slow and methodical. Try to match the hatch as well. Now making your own lures, try Janns Net Craft online www.jannsnetcraft.com, they have everything you'll need to get started and watch a YouTube video or two on lure making. Although it's fun to make your own, in the end it's probably cheaper just to buy name brand lures. The only experience I have is making my own sinkers. I am however in the planning stage to build a saltwater spinnerbait for stripedbass and bluefish...It's going to be big, the size of a bunker spoon. Good luck.

Hey Barresi, does anyone make a spinnerbait for stripers? If they don't, you might be onto something good!

I havent seen any Mo...I did a google search on saltwater spinner baits, came up with nothing...Nothing for Stripers and Blues anyways...There's a few out there for Redfish, but they are the normal size spinner baits. Maybe we'll go into business together...making lures...We'll call it "Crap-O Lures" "It may or may not catch a fish"! LOL

LOL...Honestly, I have no idea on how to bring this spinner bait to life...I have it pictured in my head, now If I only can find a way to get it out and on to the drawing board...lol

Tell ya what Barresi, go to www.outdoor-fishing.com, bass or bass? made a post about them yesterday. There are a few
guys there that make tackle and I bet they could steer you in the right direction or make some for you. Toadfrog is one of the members there...he has some VERY interesting creations! And like ol' bass said, they are sponsored by NAFC!
                                                                                                                                                                     

thanks for the input. you may have saved me a lot of greif.I fished the Jersey shore for 30yrs, never saw a spinner bait for stripers. Good luck with it

Here is my rendition of a Striped Bass Spinner Bait. Now mind you, I don't have any fancy software, I just did it with MS Paint. This is going to be big...Like 3 to 5 oz..about 10 to 12 inches in length. Atlantic Stripers mainly feed on Menhaden (bunker). Adult bunker are
12 to 15 inches in length. This is going to be a big lure. Big enough to fish in deep water, 20 to 30 ft and be able to stay in the strike zone, given a strong current. I'm gonna call it the "Bunker Buster". Not set on the colors, I want it to replicate the colors of a Bunker. It's going to have a trailer...probably blood red to indicate a wounded/bleeding Bunker. I'm just bored...I need to find a mold where I can make a 5oz lead jig head. Or a mold to make a 5oz spinner bait. I'm going to use an 8/0 hook as well. Probably flashaboo. Flashaboo will probably stand up better in the salt than silicone skirts.

which way to the patent office?

Vito, you're gonna have arms like Arnold Schwarzenegger after fishin' this beast!

BIG is better!

Yesterday, I got my Janns catalog, nothing in there that I can use. Even there website doesn't have anything as big as I would need, so while on the bowl this morning, after having a cup of Mo's java, I was thinking...how about taking a 12oz trolling sinker, cut it in half, to about 5-6 oz, then drill a hole to insert a 8/0 j hook. Then use coat hanger wire, attach to the top and then I'll have to fabricate a blade. Or I was going to jimmy rig a diamond jig or an A17 jig. What do u guys think?