How to Make Your Own Homemade Ice Fishing Lures

Making your own ice fishing lures is a rewarding and cost-effective way to tailor your bait to your specific fishing needs. Using soft plastics in making homemade lures allows for versatility and ease of production, enabling you to create various types of lures at home. Customizing lures gives you the ability to create designs that match local fish species and conditions, and it allows for a greater degree of personalization in your fishing gear. Specialty tools are essential in the lure-making process, as they go beyond basic hand tools and are necessary for creating advanced fishing lures. Whether you want to create a lure that mimics a specific baitfish or you’re looking for something that stands out in murky water, homemade lures can be an excellent option. In this article, we’ll explore how to make your own ice fishing lures, the materials you need, and tips for ensuring they’re effective on the ice.

Why Make Your Own Ice Fishing Lures

Making your own ice fishing lures allows you to customize them to fit the conditions of your local fishing spots. The creative aspects of making lures enable anglers to tailor their bait to match specific prey species, enhancing their fishing experience. Custom lures can be designed to mimic local baitfish, mimic the natural behavior of prey, or feature colors and patterns that attract specific species. Additionally, making your own lures can be much more affordable than buying pre-made options, and it allows you to experiment with different designs to see what works best for you.

Why It Matters:

• Customization: Homemade lures can be tailored to your specific fishing needs, whether you're targeting a particular species or fishing in unique conditions.

• Cost-Effective: Making your own lures is a more affordable option than purchasing them from the store, especially when you fish frequently.

What You Should Know:

• Personalization: Making your own lures gives you the ability to craft designs based on your personal preferences and fishing experience, ensuring a better fit for your technique.

• Learning Experience: Creating homemade lures is a great way to learn more about the behavior of fish and improve your overall fishing skills.

Materials You Need to Make Homemade Ice Fishing Lures

To make your own ice fishing lures, you’ll need a few basic materials. These materials are generally easy to find and can be used to create lures that are functional, effective, and durable. Below are some of the common materials used in making homemade ice fishing lures.

Why It Matters:

• The Right Materials: Using the right materials ensures that your lures are effective in the water and durable enough to handle the conditions.

• Availability: Most materials are affordable and easy to find, making the process of crafting your own lures accessible to anyone.

What You Should Know:

• Lead or Tungsten: Lead is a common material used for creating the weight of the lure. However, tungsten is often preferred for its higher density and smaller size. Tungsten lures sink faster and are ideal for ice fishing in deeper water.

  • Tip: If you’re making smaller jigs or lures for panfish, tungsten is a better choice as it allows for a more compact design.

• Hooks: Choose hooks that are designed specifically for ice fishing. These hooks are typically smaller and more suited for the delicate strikes of winter fish species like perch, walleye, and lake trout.

  • Tip: Look for hooks with a long shank or those designed for jigging. A sharper hook ensures better hook-setting.

• Paint and Glitter: Lure paint is important for creating bright, eye-catching designs that attract fish. You can also add glitter or reflective powder to the paint for extra sparkle.

  • Tip: Use glow-in-the-dark paints or reflective glitter to make your lures stand out in low-light conditions, which is essential for night ice fishing.

• Skirt Materials: Many homemade lures feature skirts made from rubber, feathers, or other materials to mimic the movement of baitfish. These skirts can be added to your lures for extra movement in the water.

  • Tip: You can use rubber bands or strands of silicone to create skirt materials for jigs, adding an extra layer of realism to your lures.

• Eyes: Small plastic eyes can be attached to your lure to make it more lifelike. Eyes give the lure a more natural appearance, which can be especially effective when fishing for predatory species like pike or walleye.

  • Tip: Be sure to glue the eyes securely onto the lure to ensure they don’t fall off after repeated use.

How to Make Basic Ice Fishing Jigs

Jigs are one of the most common types of ice fishing lures. Using jigs to ice fish has several advantages, such as being more engaging for anglers compared to using live or dead bait. They are versatile, easy to make, and can be used to catch a wide variety of fish species. Making your own jigs involves creating a weighted body, attaching a hook, and adding finishing touches like paint, glitter, or skirts.

Why It Matters:

• Versatile Design: Jigs are a great option for a variety of species, from panfish to predatory fish like walleye and pike.

• Customization: Making your own jigs allows you to experiment with different weights, sizes, and colors to find the best combination for your fishing style and conditions.

What You Should Know:

• Step 1: Shape the Body: Start by shaping the body of your jig using lead or tungsten. You can use a mold or create the shape by hand. A simple teardrop or round shape works well for most jigs.

  • Tip: If you’re using lead, be cautious of the environmental impact. You can choose to use non-toxic alternatives like tungsten, which are heavier and more effective for small, compact jigs.

• Step 2: Attach the Hook: Insert the hook into the body of the jig, ensuring that it is securely fastened. The hook should be positioned at the top of the jig body so that it can catch fish when they strike.

  • Tip: If you want to create a glow effect, use glow-in-the-dark paint or epoxy to cover the body of the jig.

• Step 3: Paint and Decorate: Once the hook is in place, it’s time to paint your jig. Use bright, vivid colors like red, orange, or chartreuse to make it visible in the water. You can also add glitter or reflective elements for extra shine.

  • Tip: To add a glowing effect, paint the body of the jig with glow-in-the-dark paint or use reflective glitter to make the jig more visible in low-light conditions.

• Step 4: Add Skirt or Tails (Optional): If you want your jig to have extra movement in the water, you can add a skirt made from rubber or silicone strands. You can also attach small pieces of feather or fur to give it a more lifelike appearance.

  • Tip: Use a small rubber band to secure the skirt to the jig body for a more flexible presentation.

How to Make Ice Fishing Spoons

Spoons are another popular type of ice fishing lure that mimics the movement of baitfish. While many great lures can be purchased, homemade spoons offer customization advantages. Spoons are designed to flutter and wobble when jigged, which makes them highly effective for attracting predatory fish like pike and walleye.

Why It Matters:

• Lifelike Action: Spoons are known for their lifelike fluttering action, which mimics the movement of small fish trying to escape.

• Predator Attraction: Spoons are highly effective for attracting larger fish, particularly predatory species.

What You Should Know:

• Step 1: Shape the Spoon: Start by shaping a thin piece of metal or aluminum into a spoon-like shape. You can use a spoon mold or bend the material by hand to create a curved shape.

  • Tip: The more exaggerated the curve, the more pronounced the wobbling action of the spoon will be.

• Step 2: Add a Hook: Attach a hook to the bottom of the spoon. You can use a treble hook for better hook-ups or a single hook for more subtle presentations.

  • Tip: Use a small split ring to attach the hook to the spoon, allowing for better movement and flexibility.

• Step 3: Paint and Finish: Paint the spoon with bright, reflective colors to catch the light in the water. You can also add glitter or glow-in-the-dark paint for extra visibility in low-light conditions.

  • Tip: Try using a few different color patterns (such as silver, gold, or chartreuse) to see which one works best for your target species.

• Step 4: Add Details (Optional): You can add eyes, feathers, or additional tails to the spoon to enhance its appearance and increase its attraction to fish.

  • Tip: Keep the decoration simple, as too many additional parts can affect the natural movement of the spoon.

Testing Your Homemade Lures

Once you’ve made your homemade ice fishing lures, it’s important to test them before your fishing trip. Testing will help you determine whether the lure’s action is effective and whether it attracts fish.

Why It Matters:

• Performance Check: Testing your lures ensures that they perform well under actual ice fishing conditions.

• Fine-Tuning: Testing gives you the chance to tweak the design, color, or action to make your lures more effective.

What You Should Know:

• Test in Water: Place the lures in water to see how they move and react. Adjust the weight or shape if the movement isn’t as lifelike as you want.

  • Tip: Test your lures in a variety of water conditions (clear, murky, shallow, deep) to ensure they work in different environments.

• Evaluate the Glow: If you’ve added glow-in-the-dark paint or features, test the glow to ensure it’s visible in low-light conditions.

  • Tip: Charge your glow lures with a UV flashlight to ensure they stay brightly visible for the duration of your fishing trip.

Conclusion

Making your own homemade ice fishing lures is a fun and rewarding way to enhance your fishing experience. By customizing your lures with different shapes, colors, scents, and materials, you can create effective presentations that are tailored to your specific fishing needs. Whether you’re targeting panfish, walleye, or predatory species like pike, homemade lures allow you to experiment with designs and find what works best. With a little creativity and the right materials, you can create lures that help you land more fish and make the most of your ice fishing adventures.

FAQs

1. How long will homemade lures last?
Homemade lures can last for many fishing seasons if properly made and stored. Be sure to inspect them regularly for wear and tear, especially after each fishing trip.

2. Can I make my lures without using lead?
Yes, you can use tungsten or other materials as an alternative to lead. Tungsten is heavier and more compact, which makes it ideal for smaller jigs and lures.

3. What size hooks should I use for homemade lures?
The hook size depends on the species you’re targeting. For panfish, smaller hooks (size 10 to 14) are ideal, while larger species like walleye or pike require larger hooks (size 2 to 6).

4. What kind of paint should I use for homemade lures?
Use non-toxic, water-based paints specifically designed for fishing lures. These paints are durable, safe for the environment, and designed to withstand cold water conditions.

5. How can I ensure my lures are effective?
Test your lures in water, adjust their movement, and experiment with different colors and sizes to see what works best. Keep experimenting to refine your designs and improve their performance.