Can you provide a wood lure template suitable for carving a bass lure?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Absolutely—let’s get you a solid wooden crankbait template you can carve by hand. This pattern is a classic shad-style crank, 2.75–3.0 inches long, designed for easy carving and good action in late-summer bass in many rivers and lakes. It’s beginner-friendly but still a proven fetcher on the water. 🎣🪵

**Template basics**
- **Name:** Classic Shad Crank (2.75–3.0 in)
- **Overall length:** 2.75–3.0 in (70–76 mm)
- **Body height (max):** ~0.90–1.00 in (23–25 mm)
- **Body width (max):** ~0.50–0.75 in (12–19 mm)
- **Lip slot depth:** 1/8–3/16 in (3–4.5 mm)
- **Lip width:** ~1/2–3/4 in
- **Lip angle (default):** ~35° from vertical for a typical wobble
- **Top-view outline:** elongated teardrop with a fuller belly and a taper toward the snout and tail
- **Side-view profile:** gentle convex/flat top line, deeper belly, slight beak toward nose to drive the lip
- **Hardware placement:** front eye about 0.3 in behind the lip; rear eye near the tail; optional weight insert under the belly near the head for CG tweaks

**Printable patterns (transfer-ready)**
- Top view pattern: length 2.75–3.0 in; maximum width 0.9–1.0 in; nose and tail curves smoothly connected.
- Side view pattern: profile showing a shallow belly curve, a rounded head, and a tapered tail. Include a lip slot at the nose about 1/4 in deep, 1/2–3/4 in wide, angled ~35°.
- Belly pattern: add a shallow concave intended for a tungsten/lead weight if you want a slightly heavier dive, or skip weight for a floating/wobbling variant.

**Transfer and carve steps**
1) Print the patterns on cardstock, then cut out the top and side patterns. Glue them to your wood blank with spray adhesive, then trace the outlines with a pencil. 
2) Rough-cut the blank to the outer profile with a bandsaw or fret saw. Leave a bit of thickness for final shaping. 
3) Carve the *lip slot* first to prevent tear-out when you hollow the head area. Use a small chisel or a Dremel with a cutting bit. 
4) Shape the belly and back with rasps, then refine with files and sandpaper (start coarse, finish 220–400 grit). 
5) Drill the front and rear eye holes and, if desired, a belly weight cavity. Finish with a thin epoxy sealant or clear lacquer. 
6) Paint and seal; add the eyeballs or 3D eyes for realism, then topcoat to protect the finish.

**Tools and supplies (inspiration from videos and kits)**
- For visual guides, check these lure-making videos:
  - [Lure making | Classic Crankbait from scrap wood](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlymrV8HzsE) 🎬
  - [Wood Carving a Lipless Crankbait - Hand Carved Fishing lures - Easy Beginner Wood Carving](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jizt-B-mcg) 🪚
  - [DIY Lipless Crankbait #fishing #diy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-39lSHtcS4) 🎯
  - [Making a Classic Bass Popper](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WwtqgJwmNo) 🐟
  - [Lure Making Carve Your Way to Fishing Success: DIY Wooden Trout Lure](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9RAvqbrHtg) 🎨
- If you’re starting from blanks, these DIY lure kits are solid options:
  - [Unpainted Fishing Lures DIY Minnow Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083FCLZBZ?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [Gfsihod 20pcs DIY Fishing Lure Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRFHTGPK?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [Bombite 20PCS Lure Blanks Unpainted Fishing Lures](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BK6BVYWP?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

**Pro tip (short and practical):** carve with a light touch and frequently check symmetry between the top and side patterns; a tiny mismatch becomes obvious once you add paint. Start with a slightly oversized lip slot and sand to fit your preferred lip, then test in water and tweak the lip angle for the desired dive depth. And yes, you’ll feel that satisfying “thud” when the lure hits the water—a sign you’re doing it right. 😄

Bottom line: with this template and a few tools, you’ll be turning out solid, fish-attracting wood crankbaits in no time. Stay patient, stay sharp, and let the bass decide how good your lure really is. Tight lines! 🐟🔥

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