Is there an app that lets me design and make custom fishing lures?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

You bet, and you don’t have to be a pro sculptor to start molding your own bass-lure ideas. Here’s a practical path to get from sketch to splashdown. 🎣💡

**Digital design path (CAD & design apps)**
- *Tinkercad* — perfect for quick shapes and simple profiles. Start here if you’re new to 3D modeling. [Tinkercad](https://www.tinkercad.com)
- *Shapr3D* — great on an iPad for portable, intuitive 3D work; a solid bridge between sketches and printable parts. [Shapr3D](https://www.shapr3d.com)
- *Fusion 360* — more advanced, ideal if you want precise tolerances for lip/bill features or wobble curves. [Fusion 360](https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview)
- *Onshape* — cloud-based CAD that’s easy to share with fellow anglers or mold-makers. [Onshape](https://www.onshape.com)

Tip: pick one starter app (Tinkercad or Shapr3D) and stick with it for a couple of lures before you level up. Consistency beats chaos when you’re learning the tools. 🧭

**From screen to water: turning designs into lures**
- Most anglers start by printing a resin or PLA lure body to test action. If you want a softer action, you’ll move into silicone molds or soft-plastic recipes. The video tutorials below walk you through the design-to-print flow:
  - [Design and Build your own 3D printed Custom Fishing Lures](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqTCImAdkhM)
  - [Design & 3D Print your own Custom Lure - Ep#1 - Make your 2D Sketches 3D](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T2TL-s2YKk)
  - [Design your custom 3D printed Fishing Lure #fishing #3dprinted #fishinglures](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPuXdjRdtm8)

If you’re not into printing yet, you can still prototype with *soft plastic lure kits* and molds to test color and action before investing in a printer.

**Gear-up: hands-on lure-making kits (Amazon) for quick starts**
- [Man Crates, Lure Making Kit – Soft Plastic Lure Kit with Molds, Plastisol, Color, Glitter & Scent](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXJ6T2MC?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — a comprehensive starting point for soft plastics. 🧰
- [357pcs DIY Fishing Lure Making Kit with blanks, eyes, hooks & accessories](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZWPW191?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — great for experimenting with rack-full of bodies. 🎨
- [Unpainted Fishing Lures Making Kit 378pcs — blanks, eyes, stickers, hooks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R1LWGPZ?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — inexpensive way to test color and finish. 🧪

For visual inspiration, these resources will get you dialing in your own style and action:
- [3D printed lure design course and tutorials](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JGIUfx0y8I) — deep-dive on body shapes and profiles. 🚀

**Practical tip for quick wins**: start with a simple minnow or shad profile, print a couple of bodies, and test action with a light submerged test. If the tail wag is sluggish, thicken the tail or tweak the lip angle by a few degrees and reprint. Small tweaks make big bites. 🐟

Bottom line: there are plenty of apps and kits to help you design and prototype custom bass lures, whether you’re into 3D printing or soft-plastic molding. Dive in, iterate, and you’ll be casting your own creations in no time. Stay patient, stay curious, and keep those casts clean and confident. 🎯 Here’s to sinking your first custom lure with pride! 🥂

Bass Fishing Questions

More Questions

Do trout and other cold water fish bite swim baits?

What is the best lure to use for walleye ice fishing?

What should I fish for in Portland, UK tomorrow, and how?

How do you catch marlin?

Will bread work at Lake Constance?

Do bass eat pork strips?

What are the best jerkbait colors for fishing?

What’s the best way to catch pike in the UK?