How to Make Your Own Hard Plastic Crank Bait Fishing Lure Kits

Hard plastic crank baits are used by anglers to catch a wide variety of fish species including such game fish as bass. Plastic crank baits are extremely popular and are manufactured by many different companies. From very simplistic designs which sell (in 2009) for around $1.00 to very realistic looking baits ranging near $20.00 per lure, there is a plastic crank for just about any situation. Assembling a hard plastic crank bait fishing lure kit is fairly simple and, other than the baits themselves, essentially only requires a tackle box.

Things You'll Need:
Hard plastic crank baits Tackle box

Instructions
Step 1
Consider the type of fish for which the lures in the kit will most likely be used. If fishing for bass, for example, the kit should include cranks which imitate minnows and small pan fish in a variety of sizes.
Step 2
Determine which types of hard plastic crank baits should be included in the kit. There are dozens of different designs available which imitate small minnows to larger bait fish. One important consideration is the depth to which crank baits will dive when retrieved. From a couple of feet to 15 feet or more, the design of the crank will determine the depth.
Step 3
Select a tackle box which will accommodate the lures which have been selected as well as a few possible new lures in the future. Also consider whether the kit will need to contain other items such as pliers and fishing line.
Step 4
Assemble the kit by placing the lures in the tackle box in a manner which will allow for visual selection and prevent the hooks of various cranks from becoming tangled. Most cranks will feature treble hooks in two or more sets and are easily tangled with other lures.
Step 5
Consider including some replacement or repair parts for plastic crank lures. Extra treble hooks in different sizes and split rings for attaching hooks to the eyes of the crank can be included. Also consider including some dressed treble hooks which feature hairs or feathers tied to the shank of the treble hook as an extra attractor.

Tips & Warnings
Begin with a basic selection of cranks in the beginning. As the cranks are fished, most anglers find there are favorites for a variety of reasons in regard to shape, color and even manufacturer.
Use caution when handling plastic crank baits, as most will feature two or more sets of treble hooks. These hooks are typically extremely sharp

How to Make Your Own Fishing Lures

Things You'll Need:
Screw eyes
Thread
Spinner blades
Colored yarn or floss
Hackle pliers
Wire former
Wire
Sand paper
Hair stacker
Spinner bodies
Scissors
Half-inch tool
Barrel swivels
Egg sinkers
Hooks
Split ring pliers
Spinner shaft locks
Fly-tying vise
Split rings
Feathers
Jjigs
Beads
Hackles
Connector sleeves
Lacquer or vinyl paints
Bobbin
Buck tails and calf tails
Coping saw
Snap swivels
Pocket knife
Crimping tool
Head cement
Blocks of wood
Colored fur
Clevises
Tinsel and flashabou

Instructions
Step 1
Gather your tools, including: coping saw, pocket knife, bobbin, lacquer or vinyl paints in various colors, various colors of thread, fly-tying vise, assorted sand paper, hackle pliers, split ring pliers, crimping tool, scissors, hair stacker, head cement, wire former and a half-inch tool.
Step 2
Purchase a variety of each of the following items: feathers, colored yarn or floss, colored fur, spinner bodies, beads, jigs, screw eyes, clevises, egg sinkers, hooks, connector sleeves, snap swivels, barrel swivels, spinner blades, spinner shaft locks, split rings, buck tails and calf tails, tinsel and flashabou, hackles, wire and blocks of wood.
Step 3
Find a comfortable, quiet place to work.
Step 4
Decide which type of lure you will make. Lures will vary depending on the species of fish, the depth at which the fish are running, the color of the fish prey, the action you need from the lure, water clarity and weather.
Step 5
Sketch out your design, keeping in mind what types of lures you've had good luck with in the past.
Step 6
Build your lure and then test it under the appropriate conditions.
Step 7
Remember that lure-making takes trial and error. Keep at it even if your first lures aren't successful.

Tips & Warnings
Keep a notepad handy. While you are making your lure, you may think of an idea for another lure.
Buy a container or box with different compartments to store your materials.