Have there been any posts on lures and rigs that people have made at home? I have a son who is into making things like that. Perhaps Lindy rigs or other types of walleye rigs for lake trolling?
I made a spoon out of a cheap stainless teaspoon once as a gag if that counts. Actually caught a northern or two, but that's a northern. These days it's mostly the usual live bait walleye rigs with little modifications that I like to think work better (but likely don't ). Always better if caught on something you've made! Check here for ideas, particularly the downloads: http://www.luremaking.com/
My brother builds almost all the spinners I used for UL trout fishing. I keep a few store bought spinners around, but not many. I do use store bought for where there is a single hook restriction such as on TN and NC native trout streams and streams in Smoky Mountains National Park.