I considered making my own decoys a time or two and I found some AWESOME youtube vids on how to do it. Some from rookies like myself and others from professionals that will blow your mind with the detailed masterpieces they make. Gators aren't that smart, so in reality, anything that is different from the background environment will get a gators attention and they will investigate it. I used a crushed empty beer can on the line and had fish come in. If I were going to try to make my own, I would start with cheap scrap wood and screw up on that before I would buy balsa, cedar, tupula, or the other more expensive dek wood. Then I would cut the shape with a jig saw and whittle the rest to a shape I can live with. Making the well for the lead would be the toughest part I would think. Placement, depth, width, and length will all have dramatic affect on how the decoy swims and sits in the water. Fins don't seem to be as complicated. For me the best way would be to just start, make a mess, screw up, and learn as you go. Good Luck!!!