3d Printable Designs Of Fish

There's a reason 'Gone Fishin'' is the well-known sign that essentially means 'no more work today.' Fishing has long since been one of the most relaxing pastimes for centuries – whether you're out catching your dinner or just want some good old-fashioned bonding time void of the screens and noise that everyday life comes with.

Growing up in a seaside town, I myself spent many a happy afternoon with my dad fishing in the river and sea I was lucky enough to have right on my doorstep, and my fishing bag and tackle box are now proudly displayed in my home as a reminder of those great times.

3D printed fishing lures are a great way to keep your tackle box full of interesting, personally made attachments made from fishing lure molds found all over the internet, many for free, and printed at home.

Not only that, but 3D printing your own lures is a far cheaper method of getting this equipment. Fishing lures are generally more expensive than live bait due to their materials, manufacturing, and reusability, and between loss and damage, their costs add up to a pretty penny if you're a frequent fisher.

Fishing lure molds and models come in as many types as there are lures themselves, and each one is better suited to different environments and different fish. Here we're going to look at not only the best and coolest looking 3D printed fishing lures, but also which ones are best depending on the kind of fishing you do.

Keep in mind, however, that fishing lures aren't as simple as print, paint, and go. There are some extra steps, which change in complexity depending on the lure you choose to print. This includes feeding the lines, attaching the hooks, as well as assembling the various pieces for the more complicated lures.

3D Printed Jig Lures

Best for catching: Almost any freshwater fish

Jigs are what come to mind when most people think about fishing, and they are fairly simple to make as 3D printed fishing lures for just about any freshwater catch.

Because they're weighted, jigs are good for catching bottom feeders like carp and bass, but you can also use them to catch anything from bream to salmon.

3D printed jig lures are fairly simple, and you can make them in a variety of styles and looks. This very simple lure only needs to be threaded onto your line and secured with a 3mm screw in before being cast.

If you want to get a little fancier, you can print out these lure molds to use with plastics or resin to create your own jig lure however you like in a variety of colors.

This lure was designed as separate parts so it can be printed in one to three colors even with resin printers. It includes enough hollow spacing for weighted pellets to be inserted, and is ideal for use with spinner blades or feathers to catch predatory and non-predatory fish respectively.

For those of you up north who like to go ice fishing, you can make these 3D printed jig lures specially designed for near-frozen waters to catch walleye, pike, and other fish who prefer icy temperatures.

3D Printed Spoon Lures

Best for catching: Large Fish

Spoon lures are great for attracting larger fish with their concave shape that, if colored correctly, give off a sheen in water that larger fish like salmon, walleye, and largemouth bass.

They're pretty easy to make yourself, so long as you ensure it has only slight curve so it doesn't move too fast in the water, and make it a light, reflective color so it attracts fish easier. Following the design found here is a good place to start.

If you don't have any reflective colors available, glitters and sequence work just as well provided you use good quality, water durable glue. This not only lets your 3D printed lure mimic a real fish, but also an injured one due to the erratic movement of the reflective surface, making it seem like easy prey.

3D Printed Spinnerbait Lures

Best for catching: Predatory Fish

Spinnerbait lures have small propellers attached to them that spin when the bait is moved in water, resembling a small, moving fish. This makes it ideal for catching predatory fish like bass and perch, which feed on other, smaller fish.

While difficult to 3D print, spinner lure modules and additions are fairly simple to print out and attach to your line.

The important part of spinner lures is, as the name implies, the spinner itself. This makes the lure appear to be a moving, swimming creature so the other fish will be willing to gobble it up. Simple lures like this spinnertail come with the blade included in the design, so all you need to do is move it around slightly when in the water so it looks like it's swimming.

If you're already happy with the lures you have, but want to expand the kind of fish you can catch, you can print out these simple blades and decorate them as you like. Once attached, this will change any lure you have into a spinner lure for catching predatory fish.

3D Printed Crankbait Lures

Best for catching: Predatory Fish

Like spinnerbait, crankbait lures are designed to mimic other fish to lure in predatory fish, with the main difference being the depth at which they can sink. Crankbait lures are smaller and fatter than other lures, and are normally made from wood or weighed down to sink to depths of around 4-6 meters.

Because they need to be weighed down, most 3D printed sinking lures need to be made in separate parts so ball bearings or similar objects can be put inside.

These small, lipless 3D printed lures need only some super glue and hooks to be ready for use, and are easy to paint and customize as you like.

There's also this clever little design re-imagined from a wood lure made by the designer before, which proved to be useful enough to replicate as a 3D printed fishing lure. It also comes as two halves so you can fill it with weighted objects so it sinks.

Due to the simple shapes, you can also try your hand at designing your own. Just be sure to have each half printed separately so you can film them in and attach them later, including spaces for hooks and enough holes to thread your lines.

3D Printed Fly-Fishing Lures

Best for catching: Salmon, Trout, and Grayling

Fly fishing is an art in itself. My grandmother would often tell me stories of her father fly fishing as though it were a dance, comparing it to ribbon dancing. With careful coordination and a skilled hand, fly fishing can be a rewarding, fun, and challenging way to get your catch of the day.

Fly fishing uses special, very lightweight lures known as artificial flies to skim along the water to mimic the titular insects to lure fish to the top of the water to catch them. The weight instead comes from the line itself, which is different from standard fishing lines in that they're often coated in plastic to give them the weight needed for the various necessary casting techniques.

3D Printed Fishing Lures - Artificial Flies

The main thing to consider when making your own 3D printed lures for fly fishing is that they need to be as light as possible. This is so they stay on the surface of the water and lure fish to the top.

The trick to this is making sure you 3D print these lures using something like polypropylene or other light materials or filaments, though most designs will incorporate a small metal attachment so they don't break off the line when casting.

This design doesn't include such a metal attachment, and so should be used with caution, especially if you're a beginner.

This ultra-lightweight wasp is by far one of the coolest 3D printed fishing lures we could find, and it's usefulness is proven with example images of caught fish using it alongside the free files.

3D printing your own fishing lures is a rewarding and money-saving endeavor. While most of them are fairly simple, there are a few things to keep in mine when making your own.

Know What You Want to Catch

Different lures of different colors, sizes, and weights will be better at attracting different fish. As a pastime, many people are happy to simply enjoy the act of fishing rather than focusing on what's being caught.

But if you're fishing competitively or for food, you'll want to be mindful of what lures work better. Crankbait lures aren't great for catching catfish, while bottom feeders like carp and sardines aren't going to be impressed with a fly fishing lure.

Match the Environment

Fish aren't as dumb as many of us believe, and will recognize colors unfamiliar or dangerous to them. Making sure you select the right color to match where your fishing will make fish more likely to go for your bait.

Bright, reflective colors are better during the day, while darker colors in the evening of night will work better to blend in and appear more natural as prey to the fish.

You Can Combine Different Lures

Not all lures are standalone, and 3D printed fishing lures can be modified to work with others.

Spoon lures can be fitted with spinners, and sinking lures like crankbait can be added to any other 3D printed lure to increase your chances of landing bottom feeders like catfish.