Making your own stick baits?

[Kyle Stacey]

I have been making lures (trolling lures, skirts mainly) for some years now and have been selling them in limited numbers here in Melbourne but I have just started to make stick baits and I am seeking advice from others that make thier own on what materials they use (resin v timber) and finishing techniques like foil and holographic tapes. This is not a comercial venture as these take alot of time more just a hobby.

cheers

Kyle

[Sam Morrison]

I have been making lures (trolling lures, skirts mainly) for some years now and have been selling them in limited numbers here in Melbourne but I have just started to make stick baits and I am seeking advice from others that make thier own on what materials they use (resin v timber) and finishing techniques like foil and holographic tapes. This is not a comercial venture as these take alot of time more just a hobby.

cheers

Kyle

Hi Kyle,

If you have experience in resin's I would stick with what you know. Resin baits will enable you to create duplicates with ease, all you need is the right amount of micro sphere's for the intended action and a good master. I use timber, it is a personal preference. Timber is much more time consuming but I enjoy carving baits so it is a win win. I wouldn't worry about the finishing side until you have a bait that swims, foils and tapes are just that not much too it.



These baits are all hand carved with a carving knife. I am unsure how others shape their baits but I do doubt many are hand carved unless they are sweat shop baits. Have fun and let us know how you get on 

[BriceBludau]

The 360tuna lure building forum has recently blown up with builders giving out tons of secrets and producing some pretty amazing baits.

http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f87/little-finishing-step-step-16219/

Concept, DennisB, and a few others have some nice tutorial threads about everything from casting resin, lathe working, painting, foil, etc...

http://www.360tuna.com/forum/f87/

[Kyle Stacey]

Sam, Those are awsome lures, I have been looking at them on 360 tuna and thats where I got the idea from, so far I have made a couple of poppers and a stick bait, the paint is a sticking point as I am using pressure pack cans and the results are average but ok for first attempt, one is on a drying rotisorrie as I type, getting a clear epoxy coat and if it turns out good I will throw up a pic or pics.

Cheers

Kyle

[Kyle Stacey]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Shown is a stickbait and popper I have made, the results are o.k but being the first couple they can only improve from here.

[Sam Morrison]

Kyle they look pretty sweet 

Good job, nothing wrong with rolling your own... Even better when they smoke a fish 

Have you got them wet?

[Matt Kris]

Sam those look awesome! Whats the approx labor time for each bait? Would be unreal catching fish on you're own.

[Sam Morrison]

Hi Matt,

The labour time for stick baits is huge, I don't have any mechanical way of making these so they are all hand carved using a knife and then a final smoothing with sandpaper. Paint and how far you want to take it can add a lot of time, each of the lures below are done by hand.

I couldn't give you a total time per bait, I don't watch the clock because I enjoy it. 

[John Sykes]

Sam,
   I have been building my own lures for a while.  Your baits have awesome symmetry for hand shaping, nice work! I have been doing some off centre turning to produce some stickbaits the process annoys me as I'm much more into the finishing side of things.

[kaspar lenigas]

what type of wire do you use for the lures?

[Jonathon Hwang]

what type of wire do you use for the lures?

I've read elsewhere 1.6 316grade tig welding wire. Said to be easier to work with than 2.4

I dont know what these numbers mean so don't take this as gospel. Just passing on info I've seen elsewhere......

[joe sciberras]

great work Kyle  i have made a few poopers my self