Making your own HB's

[Shane]

Hiya...

After reading the article in Fishing WA I got realy excited about making my own HB's. A couple of people have said why waste your time, because I can't afford to keep replacing them. I was looking to make a few for when the hotter weather kicks and the fishes get a little more active.

What I was wanting to know is :

Who here makes thier own HB's and has success on them?

What performs well in the Swan?

Type of shapes work better?

What type of wood is better?

Also what is the little fish the bream are feeding on in the Swan and does mimicing that fish in a HB produce more pick ups?

All opinions accepted on condition of possible rejection ;) :D

...Cheers

Shane

Gday Shane.
I make HB's and yes I have had success on them. The pic as my Avatar is one of the first fish I caught on my Home mades.
I have found that the action is most crucial to catching fish. The most successful lure I've made has a real slow wobble and dives to about 2.0-2.5m. With a really slow retrieve this lure is deadly...to teh point of outfishing Gold Oargee's in a particular session.
Metallic Bronze and Gold have been my favourite colours, but I'd suggest that the action is far more important than colour.
I'll let you discover your own shapes, as otherwise it aint anywhere near as much fun!
Balsa is your best bet for shaping your lures. It is very easy to work with, and floats. Make sure you add some ballast to them as this controls the bouyancy and sometimes adds a better action. (also increases casting distance and accuracy).
HTH
Any more questions...feel free to ask!

Dave

PS: Nick C (sorry cant remember spelling) who wrote the article is also on this site.

Heres a pic of the most successful lure so far.
Note the chomp marks!

[Shane]

Where do you get your bib material KP, or do you buy pre-made?

[Richo]

Very Deception looking that one KingPin,

Personally Id try and make something that would be similar to the OarGs or Scorp 52`s, something that slightly suspends, with a tight action, and that dives at a roughly a 45 degree angle should work best (just my opinion), I think the tight action is the key - and the slower you can get the retrieve with this action the better.

Cheers

[Davo28]

like you shane, i too was excited after reading the DohDohDoh column. So far ive got 2 home made HB up to painting stage. I chose to copy the oargee for my first attempt cause its a very basic design and in my opinion probably a good option to attempt for the first time... mine turned out a little thinner than the original oargee, and yes it was a stuff up but these things happen :D I guess ill see how it performs when its finished lol. The other one ive started is a popper, not sure how its gonna go on bream but i made it fairly small for that purpose. Bear in mind though that you will have to make quite a few HB's to cover the cost of materials. I didnt have any of the nescessary equipment to get me started and so far its cost me around 50 bucks... still gotta buy numerous paints yet too lol. At the end of the day its just fun to have a crack at it and if they catch fish well thats a bonus :)

Anyone got any tips on various colours?? I mean for different conditions ie water clarity etc..
cheers
Davo :cool:

LOL Richo.
That lure was at first supposed to be a Paleamon, but It didn't turn out right. The pics make it look a lot more like one than it is in real life. The action is also completely different from the Paleamon.
I get my bibs from the US (pre cut), but I'd say it would be cheaper and easier to source your own Lexan and cut your own. By doing so, you also have a lot more flexability with bib shape!
My costs have gona well past 100 bucks, but I have enough resources to make over 50 HB's. You do the maths!

Dave

[breamobasser]

A cheap alternative that i use is old tape covers.
Cut them out with a scroll saw and finish the shape with sandpaper.
These are thin therefore light but i suppose they may break, although none have on me, but there just as easy to replace.

Im still waiting for my first fish on one of my lures

Although i came close, damn bass had two goes in two casts then my friend comes along and gets busted off big time.

I will get one this summer;)

cheers breamobasser :p

[DAGGA]

Hey guys check this out for a laugh lol i got bored so i made this designe of a lure its not totally unique looking i know but hey

[DAGGA]

i spose it looks like a Paleamon but those bumps around the head r ment to stick out more.
Jeese i never wanna get bored again :p :p

[the_hide]

Gents I make soft plastics myself but theres a number of places to get some really good hardbody, softie, lead, jig etc advice.
I now make all my own tackle, bar the hooks, swivels etc. Theres a canadian website that has all things lure making etc. They have a complete catalogue for importing and theres a free 100 page ebook on all things lure making , covers softies, buzzbaits, spinner baits , poppers, hard bodies etc etc.

I think from the top of my head to make a spinner bait it cost me 70c that includes the plastic, jig head, spinner blade, split pins etc.


The Canadian Site

www.luremaking.com (http://www.luremaking.com)


Some Others

www.theluresmith.com (http://www.theluresmith.com)

www.tackleunderground.com (http://www.tackleunderground.com)

www.tacklemaking.com (http://www.tacklemaking.com)

[fishcatcher]

i to was exited after reading the DohDohDoh and wanted to make some of my owen hb but i could not find the stuff .on the18th this month i got the materials and today i finshed my first hb:D and my second up to painting stage.the finished on looks like a scorpion32 cross Paleamon and sits at about 60-70cm in the water.:D

[Mike_L]

Another good site that might help in your quest to create your own lures is www.luresonline.com.au

Mike

[Mattj]

I too started to make some, broke it up into stages
glue balsa wood together, let it sit
saw rough shape
sand to shape
under coat
several layers of desired colour
patterns, eyes etc
bib (the hard bit and soursing material - i like the old tape cover idea, i'm embarresed to say what i ended up using)

Anyway got 1 lure completely finished, very keen to try it out with great hopes and it dove then rose and skidded sideways on the surface. Lost all hope of making one that works cause of my lack of wood/craft skills but now i think about it, its the bloody bib stuff thatlet me down.

I now have about half a dozen in the shed at different stages. this new thread might just rekindle the fire cause it is fun making ya own just a huge let down when it didnt f'n work. I guess its like fishing - patience son, patience

Matt

[Quietachiever]

hey guys
the best bib material is polycarbonate sheeting from your local glass suppliers by far,$15aud bought a sheet 600x400x1.5mm you can bend the bib to the shape you want ,cut it with a good set of scissors &doesnt break.Yes patience & handskills are mandatory but like fishing on lures its Practice,Practice,Practice!hang in there and reap the results fellas.

[Brody]

i've started to make a few but how do you put ballast in them?

cheers, Brody

[Quietachiever]

hi Cory
I find if your making timber lures use a piece of 1mm stainless mig wire & bend it around a small screw driver & use it for the attachment point in your bibs:cool: If using Qcel/resin etc put a little bead sinker in the body or the bibmethod works on them too.catchya QA

[sir_cast_alot]

That is an excellent site thanks a heap

luke