How to Make Plastic Crankbaits

Purchase a plastic crankbait blank at a fishing supply or sporting goods store or choose to recycle a lure that you already own. If you are recycling a lure, completely disassemble it and remove any hooks, screws and other parts attached to it. Sand the lure down with fine grit sandpaper to remove any paint from it.

Select natural colors to paint your bait with that will closely match the look of actual small bait fish. Choose shades of green and white, black and brown and add highlights of red and orange to imitate injuries. Fish are attracted to injured bait.

Apply a base coat in an eggshell or off-white tone to the entire bait body and allow to dry. Paint layers of color over the base coat in various shades. Allow the paint to dry between layers. Paint with lighter colors and fade to dark from the top to the bottom of the bait. Add dark dots and short stripes to further mimic an actual fish.

Screw small eye screws into the tail, belly and nose of the lure. Turn each screw clockwise until it is flush with the body of the bait.

Attach a split ring to each eye screw and attach a treble hook to each split ring.