How to Make Wood Trout Crankbait Lures

A crankbait, often referred to as a plug, wobbler or minnow, is a type of hard, solid body fishing lure often used for bass and trout fishing. These lures are widely available in bait and tackle shops, but can also be made at home. Making your own crankbaits is not only cost effective, but can be a hobby as well. With the right tools, you can make your very own customized crankbaits for trout fishing.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood block (balsa wood, basswood or birch)
  • Carving knives
  • Sandpaper
  • Drill
  • Iridescent paint
  • Clear coat gloss
  • Eye hooks
  • Treble hooks
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Stencil your lure pattern out on the wood block. These are generally between 2 and 4 inches long, and can be in any shape you prefer. Ideally, you want to mimic a minnow shape that trout prefer, which is a generally a roundish head and tapered down along the tail.

    • 2

      Carve away at the wood using a sharp carving knife until you remove all material from around your stenciled lines. Sand the wood edges down until they're no longer sharp using sandpaper.

    • 3

      Round off the head and tail of the lure using medium grit sandpaper. Finish the wood using fine grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.

    • 4

      Drill pilot holes into the wood block on the belly side of the lure, one near the head and one close to the tail.

    • 5

      Paint the lure with iridescent paint. Color is completely up to your discretion. Ideally you want to mimic the colors of a live minnow. Coat the lure with a clear-coat gloss to give a shiny finish. Allow the lure to dry thoroughly.

    • 6

      Apply a drop of glue to the eye hook screw threads. Screw in the eye hooks into the pilot holes on the lure belly. Attach treble hooks to the eye hooks.