Here�s a simple easy to paint crawfish pattern. It�s based on a schedule that was posted on the TackleUnderground site. For this pattern I used water based acrylic paints from Createx. The colors have been selected to mimic a crawfish shell and underside, but feel free to substitute the colors you like best.

Two lure bodies, an LC 2.5 and a knockoff 2.5 have been stripped and primed, one in grey and one in white.

The first step is to spray an orange belly. Let the orange spray cover the lure body up to about the lateral line or middle of the side of the lure.

For the next color mix green and brown then use the color to paint the back of the lure body down to the orange belly color.

Use a stencil to paint the shell segments on the lure body. I used a stencil from Lurelayouts in this instance, but a paper stencil works just as well. Be sure to align the stencil carefully. Painters tape helps to secure it in place.

Spray black or dark grey thru the stencil keeping your airbrush level and at right angles to the stencil. This helps to avoid too much overspray at the edges of the cut out areas of the stencil.


The last step is to splatter paint the back and sides. You may want to practice on a sheet of paper to get the hang of it. Turn the air pressure down so that it is just able to blow paint off the needle. Without depressing the airbrush trigger pull back on the trigger and let paint load up on the tip of the needle. With the needle loaded and the trigger all the way forward, press the trigger down for just an instant to splatter the paint onto the lure body. The distance from the airbrush to the lure body is important�not too close. It�s best to splatter paint from the sides and not the top so the paint doesn�t streak.


Put some eyes on and then clear coat your lure with whatever you prefer ( Epoxy, Etex, Concrete sealer, etc.).

Here�s the paint schedule for this easy to do crawfish pattern.
1. Base coat white, grey or black.
2. Spray the belly up to mid side with orange.
3. Mix green and brown then spray the back down to the color from step 2.
4. Use a stencil for the shell segments and spray black or dark grey.
5. Splatter the sides and back with the color from step 4.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

Feeling the love

Just realized I missed a step . Use yellow after the orange and before the green. Spray it from the top of the back downward.

Awesome, (but lengthy)explanation of seasonal crawfish colors:
Seasonal crawfish color patterns
Useful information for anyone making craw pattern cranks, jigs, plastics.

Nicely done!