What apps make good fishing lures?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Want to design your own bass-catching lures with the help of apps? Here are the top *CAD/3D modeling tools* and learning resources that serious bass anglers are using to prototype, print, and fine-tune lure bodies that trigger strikes. 🐟💥

**Core design apps for lures**
- **Fusion 360** — a go-to for precise, parametric lure bodies and lip designs. It’s powerful for tweaking balance, buoyancy, and dive curves. Get up to speed with this practical explainer: [Fusion 360 lure design hacks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRPBCwUHc-c). 🧰🧪
- **OnShape** — cloud-based CAD that’s excellent for sharing designs with teammates or guides on the water. Learn the basics in this course: [Complete 3D Printed Fishing Lure Design Course - Designing the Lure Body](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JGIUfx0y8I) and see a quick OnShape tutorial here: [3D printing lures with OnShape](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn4QOMyVaJo). ☁️🖊️
- **Blender** — for organic, realistic lure shapes and sculpting details. If you want *rock-solid detail* on fins, lips, or fish-scale textures, check: [Realistic details on 3D lures - Blender Sculpting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn27BTmAwFc). 🎨🐠
- **3D printing workflow videos** — once you’ve modeled it, printing is a game-changer. Start here: [3D printing fishing gadgets pt1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWiJEKmmPRo) and see broader 3D lure design workflows: [are 3d printed lures any good? #diylure](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYcrzf-Hh5Y). 🖨️🧬

**Where to grab the gear to build in the real world**
- Lure making kits and supplies to pair with your designs:
  - [Man Crates, Lure Making Kit – Soft Plastic Fishing Lure Making Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXJ6T2MC?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) 🧰✨
  - [Dovesun Spinner Making Kit Inline Spinner Baits Trout Lures DIY Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091YDND6Q?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) 🪶💡
  - [Dr.Fish 1310 Pieces Spinner Making Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YR8KKMF?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) 🧠🔩
  - [Spinner Making Kit Fishing Lure Making Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQVBH1NB?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) 🧰🎣

**Why these apps help bass anglers**
- They speed up iteration: model, print, test, refine without wasting boat time. This lets you dial in lip angle, ballast, and body shape that produce your desired wobble or dive. 🕒⚙️
- They enable better balance and buoyancy control, so you can tailor your lure to the water you’re fishing (clear water, stained water, pressured fish, etc.). 
- Community and tutorials: the videos above show real-world workflows, from concept to a finished lure that’s actually used on the water. [Fusion 360 hacks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRPBCwUHc-c) and [OnShape lure design](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JGIUfx0y8I) are great starting points. 🧭💬

**A practical, bass-focused workflow**
1) Pick a lure type you want to beat—crank, lipless, or swimbait. 2) Do a quick sketch, then model with **Fusion 360** or **OnShape**. 3) Export an STL, print a test piece, and do basic water tests to gauge sink rate and wobble. 4) Refine your CG and lip geometry; reprint and retest. 5) Add textures or paint details after print using a simple kit like the ones above.

**Quick tip**: start with a simple profile you know works (e.g., a minnow shape) and iterate emphasis on one parameter at a time—lip angle for dive, center of gravity for balance, and body length for action. A small tweak can change the whole action on the retrieve. 🎯

Ready to get wet-testing your designs? Start by watching a couple of the videos, pick a lure type, and start drafting in CAD. The water is calling, and your custom plug could be the next trophy bass lure. Good luck and happy designing! 🐟💪

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