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I test prototypes in my "test tank" (actually it is a brook in my back yard), until I get the action I am looking for. Then I take the prototypes down to the North River where I can test them in different types of current. When all the tinkering is done, reweighting, reshaping lips etc, the prototypes that don't pan out get chucked, and the ones that do get patched up and painted/repainted and end up in my plug bag. Usually I make even my prototypes from a duplicator template so that if they work out, I have an accurate template all done. I keep a record on the template specifying dimensions, location and size of holes, weights etc, so that when I make a batch they are as close to the final prototype as possible. In most cases I don't test every plug, at least not until I am out on the water and fine tune them. Some types of plugs such as popping plugs are very forgiving as most of the action comes from the guy holding the rod. Swimming plugs rely heavily on the design of the plug, and a really bad plug is hard to make work. I don't sell, and I tune those plugs that I will be giving to individuals who don't know how. I find that almost any wooden plug, and many plastic ones, need tuning to get optimum performance. Even soft baits need to be rigged exactingly to get their best performance.
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