three sections bait

Congratulations!!! It looks great!

I'm glad your hinges worked out.

As for an erratic retrieve, in crankbaits that's know as hunting, where the water going over the bill is right at the edge of instability, and the crank changes direction and starts swimming again erratically. Those baits are pure gold!

You're right. Predators love wounded prey. Much easier to catch.

That action should draw them like a magnet.

In the future, you can "reintroduce" buoyancy by drilling holes in the sinking sections and capping them with aluminum can discs made with a hole punch, and super glue. That traps air, making them more buoyant.

Well done on the hinges, not only do they work but they look great. Very clean. As far as the buoyancy issue goes I have a few that sit a little funny but this sometimes adds to the action and offers the fish something they aren't us to seeing. Could be a plus. The paint job works also. Nice bait.

Thanks for your kind words and tips , much appreciated:yes: !

Mark , I have read about a similar method before to add buoancy , ....the Swedish author described to drill a hole , fill in some epoxy and close the hole with some ordinary clear tape , after turn over to let cure .

The epoxy would then flow down to cover the tape from the inside to create a closure lid on the hole , flush to the outer contoures of the lure blank !

Haven't tried it yet , but I fear , that pikes teeth might pierce or crunch that thin epoxy lid ,....... to reinforce the construction , I'd put in some styrofoam or light quality balsa into the hole prior to epoxying .

Thanks again , guys:yes: .......greetz , diemai:worship: