- Joined
- Jan 3, 2010
- Location
- Wildwood, MO
Well, I guess I'm a cheapskate. I'm gathering gear for my trip to Canada next week, and wanted to grab some large in-line spinnerbaits and such. $15+ apiece at BP & Cabela's. I decided not to buy any and make due with what I had.
So, last night, I was thinking that I have boxes of spinnerbait parts in the basement. Every time I wear out a spinnerbait or buzzbait, I cut it up and save the blades, clevises, beads and such. I figured I'd build a couple of my own.<O
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When I went looking at the parts this morning, I decided I needed some color for them, and also needed some split rings - couldn't find any of mine, I think they are in a box in the boat at the lake.<O></O>
So, at lunch, I went to Michael's craft store and asked where their jewelry making stuff was. As I was searching for beads and things, I found split rings - 175 6mm rings for 2.99 - less than the fishng store. Next I found a box of various colored beads, 500 for 2.99, again, cheap.
(I had to sort them into a spare tackle box - it's the OCD in me)
Then I found what may be the best split ring pliers I've seen (and now used). $7.99, and they work great!
The brand name is Beadalon.
Then I used some piano wire I had left over from another project, and produced the following. Each bait is between 6 and 8 inches long, and I used high end replacement hooks I already had in my tackle bag.
Double Colorado:
Willow Leaf:
Double in-line Buzz:
I think they came out pretty good. I'm going to make about a dozen to take with me, of various colors and sizes.
So, next time you bend a spinner or buzz bait beyond repair, don't just toss it, save the blades and other hardware, they could come in handy in the future.
Each of these baits cost me about $2 to make, with most of the cost being in the hooks, and the tungsten weights I added for casting distance.
Also, don't throw away the lead heads from your baits either. I cut them off, and melt them down to make new jigs and such.
So, last night, I was thinking that I have boxes of spinnerbait parts in the basement. Every time I wear out a spinnerbait or buzzbait, I cut it up and save the blades, clevises, beads and such. I figured I'd build a couple of my own.<O
></O>When I went looking at the parts this morning, I decided I needed some color for them, and also needed some split rings - couldn't find any of mine, I think they are in a box in the boat at the lake.<O
></O>So, at lunch, I went to Michael's craft store and asked where their jewelry making stuff was. As I was searching for beads and things, I found split rings - 175 6mm rings for 2.99 - less than the fishng store. Next I found a box of various colored beads, 500 for 2.99, again, cheap.
(I had to sort them into a spare tackle box - it's the OCD in me)
Then I found what may be the best split ring pliers I've seen (and now used). $7.99, and they work great!
The brand name is Beadalon.
Then I used some piano wire I had left over from another project, and produced the following. Each bait is between 6 and 8 inches long, and I used high end replacement hooks I already had in my tackle bag.
Double Colorado:
Willow Leaf:
Double in-line Buzz:
I think they came out pretty good. I'm going to make about a dozen to take with me, of various colors and sizes.
So, next time you bend a spinner or buzz bait beyond repair, don't just toss it, save the blades and other hardware, they could come in handy in the future.
Each of these baits cost me about $2 to make, with most of the cost being in the hooks, and the tungsten weights I added for casting distance.
Also, don't throw away the lead heads from your baits either. I cut them off, and melt them down to make new jigs and such.