Just thought I would show my homemade lures for Spanish. Made of all stainless steel and heat treated for color.
Here is an example of my hand made trolling lures using 6061 aluminum.
Blue Water Pro SeaCat SL5C
Boat Name and Call Sign the “Double Trouble”
DSC MMSI# 338090229
I really like using the brass heads the weight makes them run great!
Blue Water Pro SeaCat SL5C
Boat Name and Call Sign the “Double Trouble”
DSC MMSI# 338090229
I like that green one. I bet those do run great. Good job
Capt. R. Killin
21 Contender “Killin Time”
They look great! 
Nice to have that kind of skills & equipment. I’m guessing that you’re a machinist?
I make a lot of my own lures & tie flies. I’ve tied flies for spanish, but never made any lures specifically for them. Never got into doing anything for offshore either except the occasional lead trolling jig for Cobia. Most that I’ve made has been for freshwater, or Striped Bass and Bluefish, and inshore fishing.
Nice!
quote:
Originally posted by bigjim5589They look great!
Nice to have that kind of skills & equipment. I’m guessing that you’re a machinist?
I make a lot of my own lures & tie flies. I’ve tied flies for spanish, but never made any lures specifically for them. Never got into doing anything for offshore either except the occasional lead trolling jig for Cobia. Most that I’ve made has been for freshwater, or Striped Bass and Bluefish, and inshore fishing.
I actually work in Cyber Security but I have a machine shop in the back of my home, mostly hobby but I might start making lures if there is a market. I know I will have to make them much more professional with eyes and rigging. Trying to figure out if there is a market for American made metal head lures.
Blue Water Pro SeaCat SL5C
Boat Name and Call Sign the “Double Trouble”
DSC MMSI# 338090229
My oldest son works in cyber security out in CA.
I have a business making tackle. There’s a lot of folks that do it, and there’s the offshore competition. Much of what I do is made to order, custom stuff. I’ve been doing it a very long time.
IMO, you have to make a unique product, without it being over priced. I believe there is a demand for custom tackle, but not everyone will buy it. There will always be those who are only concerned with the price, so those folks are going to Walmart or similar anyway, no matter how good your lures or flies might be. However, there are also those who want “better”. I keep my pricing competitive but won’t give them away. If I can’t make a profit, not worth doing. I do give stuff to folks to try out, as that’s my marketing. Word of mouth is cheaper than paid advertising and has worked well for me.
A tackle shop owner that I did business with years ago (had a previous tackle business too) told me that “pretty sells” and I keep that in mind. Doesn’t matter how well it works, you still have to sell it first to the user by how it looks.
The best way IMO to find out about a market, is make some & get them in the hands of serious anglers.
I currently have a couple of pro’s who buy some jigs from me. Unfortunately, I can’t say who they are because they have sponsors that pay for some of their fishing and we have that agreement. I’m OK with it as they pass the word around some and show other folks my jigs.
I may never get rich from it, but I’m within two years of retirement and enjoy doing it.
Thanks bigjim5589 I think I will just keep it at the hobby level and maybe build a few for friends 
Made a new lure head last night –
Blue Water Pro SeaCat SL5C
Boat Name and Call Sign the “Double Trouble”
DSC MMSI# 338090229