Jerk01

Hope it turns out how you want it John. Suspending lures can be aggravating to say the least and just because you get the first one right doesn't mean the next one will work the same even when using identical ballast and components. That's why I like PVC for suspending baits. It seems to have a closer tolerance from one piece to the next when compared with wood.

 

Just don't give up on it. When something as benign as water temperature can play a difference in how the bait acts it can drive you nutty.

 

Keep us informed as to how things go. We're pullin' for ya.

 

Ben

Thanks Ben, This was about an 8 hour build with most of this time being spent on weights  and the installing of them, I am in no hurry and am determined to get a suspending balsa jerk bait, I measured and weighed and taped weights to it and test floated then drilled , sealed the hole and installed them. Even doing this, it turned out to be nose heavy thus the process of dremmeling out the front weight, actually, I am pretty happy about that as I have a place to add scent to the lure ( could be a good thing). Now, it floats nice and level with nose and tail under the water and maybe 1/16" inch of its back out of the water I am hoping it will be a very neutral bait after I add the hooks and split rings.

Will probably be a couple of days before I get around to doing that. I have grass that is growing like weeds and grand children that are here this evening. Will let you know how it turns out.

I have already cut out a couple of the PVC trim board lures from this same pattern and am looking forward to making these without woorying about going through the sealing process. 

 

John

Sounds like you have it under control John. Don't forget that if it floats up a little quicker than you want you can always add bigger hooks, bigger split rings or buy some of the lead wire like that sold in fly shops and wrap it around the hook shanks. You can also change the attitude of the bait by wrapping the lead wire around the front or rear hook to change the way it sits in the water. I've started building them so they are intentionally a little more buoyant. That way I can control the rise by wrapping lead wire around the hook. This gives me a bait that will work in a greater water temperature variation.

 

Ben

It looks great! im still stuck trying to figure out how to get this style of bait to run right, for me i cant seem to get them to wiggle even. Good luck on the weights!

Ben, I really think you are going the right direction with the slightly more buoyant bait lure the lead wire will work fine. Years ago, we used to wrap the hook shank of our crank baits with electronic solder to make them suspend. It  worked very well.

 

Joinster, Not sure this one will run right either.

A Rogue is probably my favorite jerkbait and I modeled this one after it, although it is slightly larger and heavier than its name sake. I also made the bib just a tiny bit larger. I am hoping that it will have some roll and maybe turn around and look backwards if I can get it to work right. 

Some where in this forum, I think I read that having flat sides on this type of lure helps it to have its action. Good luck with it.

 

John