Why do you Tye Make your own Baits?

I make/Tye.because no one makes/ Tyes jigs,leadheads,plastics for the type of fishing we do.A guy/fisherman showed me the Ned Rig last fall.Every jig head I looked at either had to small a hook or not the size We needed.The plastic Ned worm could not get the colors needed.Odered the molds.Make and catch fish on them.Nothing more fun than to make/ Tye a jig and catch fish unless you see some one else catch a fish on your home made bait.
What is your reason.For fun,extra money ect?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J120A using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Started as something to do. Being disabled I turned to the stock market in the early 1990's and since I didn't have a job and really couldn't at that time due to my back. I did pretty well for a few years and then got in with some guys I met online and one opened his own board where we could talk and watch stock along with trading research info we found. I did really well then until 2000 when I have my bypass surgery and after that I lost interest in most everything for a while and never got back the passion to go back to 10-12 hours a day on my computer doing my thing. So after a couple of not so good years I just decided to quit and closed my accounts including my online trading account. Then it kind of hit me, what in the world am I going to do with all that time I was spending on the stock market? I was not going to go fishing every day all day and I was not going to watch TV all day so looked for something to do. Then I had a really sorry vise and tried to tie a few things g with some junk I had. Then just decide to give it a shot even though there was no videos to learn from, there was the very excellent lesson on FAOL which I really got into and studied hard for a long time. Anyway once I got okay at it and other started giving me some compliments, I was hooked and this hobby has given me a lot to do for a long time. In my 12-14 years of this I have taught and helped a lot of guys start tying and have tied a lot of jigs and still enjoy the entire thing!

Skip

I am a one pole vertical jigging fool. I have always like using hair jigs for this style fishing. Down south were I live it's very hard to find hair jigs so I bought a cheap vise, after the first couple days I realized I was hooked. Then I wanted a better vise so I got with Skip and he help me really get up and rolling. Then I decided I wanted to paint and pour my own jigs so I'm doing that also but to answer the questions I see it as being able to make these baits and catch fish and then give them to family and frends and they come back asking for more and I think it's a cool hobby. That's why I do it.

My story is a little different. My internal motor runs a bit quicker than most and I was sitting around during the winter in TN way too much. Started visiting this forum and seeing what could be made and got started. As with many others, Skip was patient and answered so many of my questions, and gave me positive input on the rookie efforts I was making. A member that has now passed away, Tommy AKA Perchjerker1 contacted me and while not knowing me, set me up with the vise I tie on today. He paid the shipping and sent it to me with no more than a promise of payment. Yet another CDC member standing tall and doing what he knew to be the right thing. I’ve been tying ever since and trying to pass on what was so graciously given to me. I’ve gotten such satisfaction when a jig I’ve made from a bare jig hook is poured, painted and tied and catches a good fish. As much pleasure is enjoyed when you give one to someone at a ramp or tackle store,and see their face light up. I’ve met up with a few folks that I’ve given a jig to later and seen the thrill in their eyes as they tell of the fish they caught on it. No question in my mind, one of the best things I have ever gotten into. And that’s not to mention the CDC members that I have met in the stores buying supplies, local and out of state. One benefit after another.......

Started tying, out of necessity, in the mid 80s because Turner jigs started jacking up their price. Use to wrap rods, pour swimbaits, rig Marlin lures, and tye Tuna feathers so it wasn't to hard to jump in. Bought an import vise, subscribed to Fly Tyer magazine, read a lot fly tying books. Hung out at Bob Marriott's in Burbank, during lunch break, watching VHS tapes. At the same time I needed something to tye on, so had to start pouring my own lead heads which led to collecting/modifying molds.

I'm also extremely fortunate to have a very good friend (and enabler) that shares a passion for ultra light fishing and catching big Bluegill. My amigo Big Jim has been down for a bit, we're not much longer. He's got a new hip so the goal for this year is to get him back out on the pond.

The greatest satisfaction and why I'm tying my own - is the success. My jigs do what they were intended to do. With that - there isn't a better feeling then being able to share that knowledge with my family and friends.

I needed something to due during the winter months other than watching fishing shows. I own just about every plastic made was ready for something different. I bought a cheap vise off EBay and start tying. The fact that Bass Pro shops is 8 minutes from my front door and Barlows tackle is 5 minutes from my job makes tying even more interesting. Add online outfit to the mix and I have been tying ever since. Seeing all of the different color combinations once can come up with makes tying such an enjoyable experience.

Being disabled at an early age fishing kept me going
Along with the fascination and creativity that has evolved from when I was a youngster
Guess the challenge is still there for me.

Back in the day when fishing meant food on the table has become a fun sport and left to the commercial fishermen for food on the table
Not to be misleading, for totaling up the cost for gear, electronics, our hobby needs, can buy a lot of fish on the table.
I would not change a thing for now with regulation, fish management, and a verity of bait, we can enjoy our creations to pass onto the next generation with catch and release in mind
for a few kept for the frying pan doesn’t hurt.


billygee :rolleyes:

Feel like we all have big love for fishing in some way and that gave us the passion it take to really learn this hobby, some want to make money and usually soon stop due to there really is not much money in this. I know foe me after my stock adventure which wouldn't have happened if not for me being disabled at 41 years of age due to my back surgery and it's outcome. This give me and I feel sure most of you a great feeling satisfaction of accomplishment to be able to do this at some level of good quality and there is always the good feeing you get from others comments and of course the feeling we get catching fish on something we made.

Skip

I tie jigs because my son loves to tie jigs. Don't get me wrong, I love tying. My wife can vouch for me. But his interest in it is what got me started.

I've been tying flies since I was 5 years-old. I learned from my Dad. I have always tied my own flies, jigs and made my own lures, mostly because I enjoy it, and for me, it's part of the fishing experience. I do it also because I live in a remote area, and there are few tackle stores around, and none carry the colors and patterns I like to use.

I guess the main reason is that I am just addicted to flies and lure-making. I love pouring plastic worms and jig bodies, tying flies and jigs, and even pouring jigs. I like making spoons and spinners, and whittling wood poppers and such. Catching fish on something you made yourself enhances the experience exponentially, for me, anyway. I like to be as independent as possible.

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Originally Posted by Gigmaster

I've been tying flies since I was 5 years-old. I learned from my Dad. I have always tied my own flies, jigs and made my own lures, mostly because I enjoy it, and for me, it's part of the fishing experience. I do it also because I live in a remote area, and there are few tackle stores around, and none carry the colors and patterns I like to use.

I guess the main reason is that I am just addicted to flies and lure-making. I love pouring plastic worms and jig bodies, tying flies and jigs, and even pouring jigs. I like making spoons and spinners, and whittling wood poppers and such. Catching fish on something you made yourself enhances the experience exponentially, for me, anyway. I like to be as independent as possible.

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Welcome to the site and board! Hope to see you post some of your ties. Lots of good people here so enjoy!

Skip

I will post some pics soon. I am still learning how to post pictures online.

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Originally Posted by Gigmaster

I will post some pics soon. I am still learning how to post pictures online.

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You can upload pictures to this site as well. Click on GO Advanced, then Manage Attachments and a window will pop up. Then you can click add a picture and upload it and have it put in your post. Just click in your post first to see where your placing it?

Skip

I have been making some type of fishing lure since I was about ten. Jack Manda of Manda's baits at Portage Lakes in Akron Ohio first taught me how to solder pinmin ice lures for Bluegill. I refined my fly tying with the help of Skiptomylu when I joined crappie.com over a decade ago. Snake River got me interested in injection molding soft plastics. When you cannot find what you want at the big box stores or bait shops you just have to find a way to make it for yourself. That is how I started to invent stuff and make lures. At the age of almost 73 I am still enjoying my hobby.

Here are some that I tie for crappie. They work well for me.

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I like that Puglis Shad. Good work.

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Good looking flies you have here, thanks for showing us some!

Skip

Man what a great topic. These people responding to the question are all passionate about the hobby. I personaly tie because it it gives personal satisfaction. there is no way I would buy a store bought hair jig after doing this for years. Oh, and catching a fish on something you created yourself can not be measured in words. Thanks for making me ask why do I do this. And thanks to crappie.com and all my friends here for making this conversation possible. Tie on my friends

Because my father inspired and taught me to. I come from an artistic family and I enjoy the relaxation it provides.

Plus, I'd been tested analytically, during my developmental years, as one possessing a high degree of creativity.

I'm not sure how I got the bug but I know I had the itch and decided that winter was not going to be wasted but invested by doing something I really enjoyed doing. So I started reading and studying and watching and buying and come December, I believe, I tied my first Marabou jig. Yes, it was relaxing, creative, rewarding and productive. I actually started looking forward to getting up on those cold northeastern mornings because I knew I was going to tie another jig and be happy doing it. Maybe it's the right side of my brain or some such thing, but my love for color kept fueling me on to be more creative with my "next" jig. And since there is always a "next" jig, the sky really was the limit. Then I started buying rabbit hair, then fox hair, then bucktail, then ... well, even started to use some of my cat's combed out cat hair. I am truly looking forward to trying those out. Months later, the passion hasn't subsided which is a solid indicator that the interest is real. At 63 years of age it kind of lets me be a kid again and bring some childhood memories to mind of summers with my dad, fishing the St. Lawrence near Alexandria Bay, fighting the pike at Eel Bay, watching the huge ships pass by our cottage at night and loving every minute of it. That was many moons ago but that's what fishing (and lure making) can do to a person ... it brings smiles and creates memories that last a lifetime.

Because I run a fishing tackle business.

I was introduced to Crappie fishing many years ago by a friend who tied his own jigs.

I wanted to learn everything I could about the Crappie.

It's almost as big a thrill to see someone else catch a Crappie on jigs I have given them as it is to feel the "thump" myself.

I make a very simple hair jug that works. Strangers that I have shared them with offer to purchase if I see them again.

I counter with an offer to teach them how to make their own as I do not sell my jigs.

Wish I knew how

No problem, Luck. Always good to learn. You can get a cheap vise for about $15 from Jann's Netcraft, and at Fly Tyer's Dungeon you can get cheap tying materials.

It isn't expensive to get started. Start watching YouTube videos on how tie. Watch all kinds of videos on fly tying, not just jig tying. The principles apply to both. you're not restricted to one to the other.

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Originally Posted by no luck

Wish I knew how

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Learning is like anything else, if you really want to you can and there is plenty of help. Start by reading the sticky post on this board.

Then just know this is not costly to get into, but is super addictive and most will spend a lot buying materials and believe me there are lots of materials out there that looks really good!

Skip

One thing I've discovered after my friend and I started pouring plastics is that there is an unlimited number of lure designs fish of all species attack. Maybe I'm fickle, but after I've caught fish on a lure I've made, I want to find out everything about the lure that got the fish to attack - shape, action, color, material used, etc. After that, I want to find out how many modifications of the same lure catch fish - sometimes leading up to the creation of a whole different lure. Creativity unleashed in all of us is a shame not to use in that it's the most satisfying personal and gratifying challenge we can ever hope for as anglers.

Making and catching fish on lures we make solves one more part of the mystery why and what fish strike. I used to think fish think about what they strike before they strike it. But lure crafters know differently because of the lure variety fish strike most any time of year whether hair, soft plastic or feather. And now I've gotten into making hybrid soft plastic lures combining the parts of two different lures to make an entirely different shape and action. After testing a new lure on different waters and catching many fish on different days, I know I've discovered another winner, especially after I've caught 5 different species on it!

Shock and surprise leads up to the ultimate in fishing satisfaction just after catching fish on my new creations and me thinking, 'well I'll be!'

I just wish more lure creators would try some of the many ideas I post so they too could expand their creative dimensions and come up with even more unique ideas. One fishing writer (now retired) and I swap ideas often and report how well they've caught fish - our ultimate connection to the fish we love to experience on the ends of our lines.

I started just to see if I could. Tied trout flies for a long time and had a lot of fun using them. Them I moved over to crappie jigs and the fun grew into a passion. There are very few things that are more satisfying than taking a new color jig out of the vise and catching crappie on it. I fish out of a kayak so my time on the water is my quit time. No motor noise to disrupt the peace and quite. Sure I here the other boats but they are usually gone pretty fast. Take out the latest color and catch one on it and the since of accomplishment is almost spiritual. Well, it sounds good anyway. I do it because it's fun. I enjoy trying to out smart the fish by fooling them into hitting my latest color combo. And it is satisfying.

I tie because it takes my mind off other things.Disabled and have PTSD.Was about to give up and was given an old vise and a few hooks so i started watching videos and trying to tie flies.Quickly became addicted because it keeps me in the game so to speak and keeps my mind on fishing and away from other things.Just wish i could afford materials with this small govt check.Joined this site a few years back to get ideas for jigs but had several surgeries and was never really active here.Just got back on last week and checking out everyones creations.There are some amazing tyers on this site and many patterns that i would never think of tying.

Agreed. It, like fishing itself, is very addicting but in a good way. There are so many negative things in our culture today that can bring us down. It is just so rewarding to sit, relax and make something that comes from your own imagination and creativity. A very good way to exercise the mind. Hey, and if fishing was good enough for some of the dear Lord's Apostles, its good enough for us.

KyTyer if you will pm my your address I have some extra jig materials I can send you. Has Ky gone lead free yet?

I can send you some stuff as well. PM me your address.

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Originally Posted by Peewee59

KyTyer if you will pm my your address I have some extra jig materials I can send you. Has Ky gone lead free yet?

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Thank you so much.I will put them to good use. We are not lead free and have not heard any talk about going lead free here.

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Originally Posted by Craphac

I can send you some stuff as well. PM me your address.

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Thank you Craphac.I appreciate you guys.

Just want to say guys...i did not intend for my post to be a post asking for materials.I was actually making fun of my little govt check they expect you to be able to live on but i truly appreciate you guys and i will put the materials to good use.You guys are awesome!
God Bless you all!

Never took it that you were.