How to Copy Plastic Crankbaits
- 1). Find a crankbait lure that you want to copy and have it on hand for a reference.
- 2). Select a hard plastic crankbait lure that you already own or buy a plastic body at a tackle supply store. Remove any dirt, debris and oil that may be on the piece by cleaning it with soap and water. Rinse the bait completely and dry with a soft cloth.
- 3). Purchase paints designed for plastic models in the colors of the bait you are copying. Purchase bright colors--red, yellow and orange, for instance--in addition to your base colors to imitate an injured fish. This will encourage targeted fish to strike more easily.
- 4). Paint a coat of white paint over the entire body of the bait with a small paint brush or airbrush. Let it dry. Study the color of the crankbait you want to copy and note the base color of the lure. Paint over the white base coat with that base color, then allow the lure to dry. Copy any markings and distinctive features from the reference bait and allow it to dry. Paint red, yellow and orange marks in addition to your base colors to imitate an injured fish.
- 5). Fasten an eye screw into the nose, tail and mid-section of the bait. Turn the screws clockwise untile the base of each screw sits flush on the plastic body of the crankbait.
- 6). Install a treble hook that complements the size of the lure onto each eye screw. Attach it to a split ring that will make the connection between eye screw and treble hook.
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