are 3d printed lures any good?

3D printing lures has come along way in the last decade but are they any good? Well with modern resin printers beging sold at bargain prices and resins that are a lot tougher, yes you can print a fishing lure that looks, smells and catches fish like something you would expect to pay top dollar for. For this project I chose to design a basic fast sinking wobbler lure or jerk bait if you live in the states. I wanted something for early pike that are still hanging round in deeper waters. I used a free version of cad software fusion 360 and it took a few redesigns mainly of weights and internals to get something i was happy with. I wanted to print a lure body in one piece rather than the traditional two piece shell glued together. This makes it a lot easier to finish the lure and get fishing. I also made a custom wight and hook hanger that coil be fitted externally.

My first trip was a bit of a success, three small pike and couple of near misses thanks to my old man's reactions. 3d printing technology does not hold all the answers but it is a great place to experiment and produce lures relatively cheaply.

Tools, materials, software


3D modelling software: Fusion 360 from Autodesk
This is still free for non commercial use for makers
https://www.autodesk.co.uk/products/f...

3D slicing software: Chitubox
This is a free software that can be downloaded or sometimes
With resin printers. Its job is to take the 3d file from the modelling
Software and turn it into printable instructions.
https://www.chitubox.com/en/index


3d resin printer: Elegoo Mars 2 pro ( approx cost £189 Sept 2022)

This is an entry Level 3d resin printer from Elegoo but has proved to be
Incredibly accurate and easy to use. Available via Elegoo or amazon, there are a host of similar alternative printers and some research would be advised. Second hand these can be bought for under £100
https://www.elegoo.com/

Print time 8 hours 21minutes for ten bodies


3d resin: Elegoo ABS like resin colour clear

I chose this resin for its toughness not so much for the fish as the concrete pilings I tend to cast my lures at. Its main drawback is excess resin needs to be cleaned of with isopropyl alcohol which is a bit smelly. (£19 for 500ml Sept 2022, approx cost per lure body £00.30)


3d Curing station: Elegoo Mercury Curing station ( cost £54 Sept 2022)

This great little curing station and very easy to use with a turntable included, available form
Elegoo or Amazon
https://www.elegoo.com/


Rinsing out the lure: Isopropyl Alcohol