What tackle do you make

[lov2fish]

I build my own rods and make my own tubes. I wrote an article on making tubes that has been published on about every fishing site out there, without my permission of course I have poured a ton of lead and about 5 tons of plastisol. It's a good thing I have not figured out how to make my own reels and line. I have built around 150-200 rods since I started.



Ray Rigby

[skeeter11008]

i have just started making my own jigs and shakey heads. It is almost as addicting as fishing itself. I prefer the football shakey heads with spiral locks.

[JoeB]

I've tied most of my own flies for several years. Trout nymphs, deer hair bass bugs, epoxy bonefish/permit flies, and tarpon streamers. I've tied gazillions of striper jigs which work well. Mold most of my lead sinkers, jig heads, etc. I would like to learn a little about rod making. Sounds like a good (and expensive) summer project.

[apb]

JoeB,

Your first rod will be somewhat expensive cause you'll have to pick up a wrapper and several other tools to help you build the rod. After that, it gets cheaper. I've built a number of rods now. I don't think its any cheaper than buying a quality rod. The plus side is that you can build them to your own specs. I had trouble for a number of years finding a rod that was light, handled well, and put stand up to stripers. After finding the right blank a couple years back I've built several that fit my needs much better than anything I could buy off the shelf. Probably have less than $100 in each of those rods.

Andrew

[R.BRUGH]

I have a Pacific Bay Rod Smith, 2 Dryers, reamers, calipers, tip gauges,etc. for rod building have only made 3 but done quite a few guide replacements and for lure making I have round heads, football head, Poisontail, aspirin head, and a couple others I modified for wide gap hooks and spinnerbait and buzzbait molds a five pound melting pot , skirt maker for rubber band type but Ive been hand tying lately and using the bands for rattles , assorted powder paints, and clearcoats. Now Im thinking about trying pouring soft plastics Ive tried a few crankbaits but need a little more practice with the air brush (any painters have any tips on the best paint to use Brand and type ) most of what I made is for bassin but have started on a few striper projects

[apb]

I generally use Createx and Golden paints in the airbrush. Iwata BPS eclipse. Its dual action so you get pretty good control with it. Just takes a little practice.

Andrew

[R.BRUGH]

Thanks for the paint tip I have been practicing with hobbie shops paint im getting better i have a Paasche gun and small comp. Ive been using to detail jigs and practicing on old c-baits ...

[PopeyeMaker]

THIS IS GOING TO BE FUN...lol. It started with jig heads,then went to crappie jigs. After which I saw a need for some weedless jig heads for the small plastic bodies for crappie. Then came bass fishing and starting all over again...lol. Bass jigs,buzzbaits,spinnerbaits,several styles of shakee heads, and any style of leadhead I thought I might need. Then I got interested in trout and got into making small inline spinners and tiny jigs/flies. Then I missed around and caught a walleye and got into that branch of the addiction. Bottom Bouncers, speciality jigheads,live bait rigs and whatever else I could think to try. So over the past 25 years, you name it and I have either made it or be willing to try it..lol. When it comes to lead and/or wire, I can usually make it. Then there is the rod repair/rod building,pouring plastics, some crank bait painting, and my latest addiction, MAKING FLOAT N' FLIES. I hope one of them brakes the 8lb. mark this year since the 7 lb. milestone fell last year. AND FOR NOW, I think that might cover it but I am sure I forgot something....