Tackle Underground (often "TU" or "TackleUnderground.com") is an online forum and community dedicated to fishing-tackle enthusiasts - especially those who design, build, or customize their own lures, baits, rods, and other tackle. The site brings together hobbyists, custom builders, anglers, and even small-scale manufacturers to share techniques, showcase creations, and exchange knowledge.
History
Founded in 2002: Tackle Underground began as a niche forum aimed at people who built or modified their own fishing gear - from wood plugs to soft plastics, wire baits to custom rods.
Over time it grew into one of the largest online communities of its kind, attracting members worldwide: from casual hobbyists to full-time small-batch builders.
New Ownership (2025): On July 1, 2025, Tackle Underground announced a change in ownership. The new owner - a longtime community member - pledged to preserve TU's spirit while injecting renewed energy and ideas into the platform.
Mission & Purpose
According to its community description, Tackle Underground aims to:
Provide a space for "fishing tackle enthusiasts and lure makers brought together from the world over."
Allow members to "create, exhibit & discuss techniques related to fishing tackle production and improving its effective use."
Cater to a broad spectrum of skills - from "weekend hobbyists" modifying existing baits to "scratch-built tackle & full scale manufacturing."
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In short: TU bridges the gap between hobby and craftsmanship - giving lure makers, anglers, and builders a place to learn, collaborate, and grow.
Structure & Forums
Tackle Underground organizes discussion into multiple specialized sub-forums, covering many aspects of tackle building and fishing. Key sections include:
Hard Baits - For plugs, crankbaits, swimbaits, poppers, and other hard-bodied lures.
Soft Plastics - Soft-bait making: pouring, molding, coloring, and tweaking soft plastics like worms, craws, swimbaits, and tubes.
Wire Baits - Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs, inline spinners, and other wire-based lures and rigs.
Fly Tying - For members interested in tying flies for fly fishing.
Rod & Reel Building & Repair - For custom rod building, reel modification, maintenance, and rigging advice.
Boatbuilding - A smaller section for custom boat / watercraft projects or modifications.
Homebrew Tools - DIY tool building and gear inventions to aid custom tackle creation.
Hybrid Tackle - A place for experimental builds, unconventional designs, or hybrid lures combining hard and soft, or blending techniques.
Classifieds / Marketplace Forums - Member-driven buying, selling, and trading of gear, parts, and tackle, including "Want to Sell", "Want to Buy", and "Want to Trade" sub-boards.
This structure supports both deep-dive technical discussions and casual community exchange - making TU a resource both for learning and for connecting with like-minded anglers and builders.
Community & Culture
Diverse Skill Levels: Members range from absolute beginners - experimenting with simple molds or repainting old lures - to seasoned craftsmen building complex baits, rods, or even their own molds.
Shared Knowledge & Mentorship: Many long-time members share detailed "how-to" guides, step-by-step build threads, and experience-based advice - helping others avoid common mistakes and accelerate their own learning curve.
Passion-Driven Rather Than Commercial: While some members sell or trade tackle, many emphasize the joy of building and fishing their own creations over profit - reflecting a DIY, craft-first mindset.
Events & Contests: The community hosts events like lure-making contests (e.g. annual "coolest lure" competitions), which help foster creativity, friendly competition, and member engagement.
Respect for Craft & Creativity: There is an evident respect for both traditional lure-making techniques (wood baits, hand-poured plastics, custom painting) and innovation - hybrid approaches, unconventional designs, and experimentation are encouraged.
Governance & Guidelines
To maintain quality and civility, Tackle Underground operates under a set of rules that all users must follow. The guidelines cover posting conduct, content usage, and liability disclaimers. For example, the site disclaims liability for any damages - physical, financial, or otherwise - resulting from use of instructions or information posted on the site.
Moderation is handled by a group of long-time volunteers, and - under its 2025 new ownership - the community aims to preserve the culture that has made TU valuable and supportive for decades.
Significance & Impact
Tackle Underground holds a special place in the fishing and lure-making world because:
It acts as a central hub for collective knowledge, especially for custom‐tackle building - knowledge that is rarely consolidated elsewhere.
It offers a unique mix of hobbyist, artisan, and technical content - combining woodworking, plastics, metalwork, painting, fly-tying, rod building, and more.
It fosters community-driven craftsmanship and creativity, often inspiring members to build their first lure, try a difficult technique, or even launch small side businesses.
Its long history (over two decades) provides continuity: a legacy of user-generated techniques, lore, and real-world testing that newer forums or social-media groups rarely match.
Tackle Underground is more than just a forum - it is a global gathering place for anglers, builders, and craft-minded fishing enthusiasts united by a passion for creating their own gear. With decades of shared knowledge and a broad community ranging from hobbyists to dedicated builders, TU remains a cornerstone resource for anyone interested in custom fishing tackle - whether you’re painting your first crankbait, pouring soft plastics, or designing a new lure from scratch.
