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I had already caught the lure design bug when I was introduced to TU. I was struggling and getting nowhere and was grateful for this wealth of knowledge which I pigged out on for so many hours. Being an engineer, I wanted to know why it worked, not just how to make it work. The information that I found here on TU was thorough, detailed and easy to follow, solving most of my problems. Still one question remained unanswered – how does it work – so I asked the question. I wasn’t expecting a flood of answers, but figured that there would be one or two engineers out there that might be able to point me in the right direction. No one could help me. Instead I was subjected to such a barrage of hostility and rudeness that I almost left. I stayed because I felt that I had something to prove. I decided to bring lure theory and an alternative method of design and understanding to the table. It certainly was not going to be for everybody, but there are always going to be one or two inquisitive minds out there who would appreciate the insight, even if they did not use the knowledge. The barrage of hostility continued for some time, but eventually faded away, but the TU experience was marred for me and that was the only question that I ever asked in over 4000 posts. It kind of became my mission to help people with alternative ideas and solutions wherever possible and with extra special help to newcomers, determined that their experience should be better than mine. Not essential, but I do wish people would say thankyou more. There have been times when I have put many hours into an answer and not even received acknowledgement that the information was even received, let alone appreciated. For anyone new to lure building, TU is a daunting site and finding the information that you need is extremely difficult, because you don’t even know what you are looking for. You try random reading, but that doesn’t get you anywhere. You are left with no choice but to ask a dumb question. It is upto us to just set them on the right track, maybe with a few helpful links to get them started. It doesn’t have to be a big effort. This idea of having to serve a lure apprenticeship before being qualified to even speak is BS and I cringe every time I read it. Other cringe worthy comments are: ‘reinventing the wheel’ or ‘it’s all been done before’ or ‘there is nothing new to be discovered’, another favorite is ‘there are no short cuts’ pfft! Lure design is still in its infancy. The first hundred years were driven by trial and error, a slow but determined process involving a lot of firewood. Now we have a new tool – knowledge of theory. Designers who embrace this knowledge are far more likely to come up with solutions and new ideas, but there will always be wood for the fire Dave

I understand where Pizz is coming from.I also learned to build baits via the school of hard knocks before the Internet.I've learned a ton through this site and try to give back but there are ones who come here with so little ambition they won't use the search feature.The generic " how do I build a crankbait" question from a guy on his first post here gets me.Please use the search feature and spend some time reading....When you have a specific question by all means ask it....While we are ranting...my other favorite is a guy who asks a question and you give him the answer and you never get a response back....not a thanks or I'll give a try...nothing!!.....I guess the long and short of it is I don't mind helping somebody if they are willing to help themselves .....I'll get off my soap box now...Nathan

I am a long standing member of TU and mostly I am known in the softbait side of things. I have done hardbaits in the past(about20 years ago) but recently I have gotten into hardbaits again. This time I have been using a type of foil finishing where I use no paint at all. If it hadn't been for posts about foil finishing on TU I wouldn't have thought up this process. So, I thank those who first posted their process here. The funny thing I see here(and it's not really funny) is that in the softbait forum I can't remember seeing a thread like this one about sharing ideas. I can remember a thread very much like this one some years ago in the hardbait forum that resulted in some members quitting and some members getting banned. The main idea (correct me if I'm wrong) of TU is the sharing of ideas.

Thank God ...that when i was going to school i had a TEACHER who went to school and learned and then came and taught me what they had learned. I'm sure glad i didn't have to go to school and have them give me books and say.....here go home read these books....there will be a test on Friday...... Just my opinion ....but most of us would have FAILED...... Thanks to all who have helped me and others...... end of rant

i agree with brent and mark. I thought thats what made this site such an amazing tool and resource for lure making. Instead of spending my time and money (both in very limited amounts available to me and most others im sure) working to find out what others before me have already found out by trial and error i can learn from them and what they experienced and then hopefully build upon that with my own trial and error. Then i can return the favor and help them and others with my findings. Learing and searching on here has put me leaps and bounds ahead of where i would be in my techiniques and ablilites over where i would be if i had to learn it all on my own by failures and successes alone. Even in this day of "instant gratification" i am stll very appreciative of others who are willing to take a precieous few minutes of their time and help others like me in furthering our craft and i try to do the same for others as well.

I totally disagree. Why not shorten the learning curve for a new builder? Why is it so f'n important that everybody "pay their dues?" Really? Since you took the time to work something out, you don't want to share it because you feel that other people should have to put the time in? Then don't share it. I have gotten alot of help from this site and because I am not a very established builder I don't say much for fear of leading someone down the wrong road. Once I am as good as alot of guys on here I will happily pass info on. Its like the search function police around here. If you see a clearcoat or a diving lip post thats been discussed 1000 times don't click on it. Think about it. If you can repond to a question that makes some builders 3 or 4 hours a week shop time more productive why not? How petty to complain about it because you feel that everyone should "put their time in"

I guess I feel the same as Brent. I build baits for fun and for the thrill of catching a fish on something I built. Everything I know about making lures I learned here on TU, from others willing to share. So, for me, it's only fair to share whatever I've learned with others in return. I'm just a hobby builder and painter. I'm certainly no artist. You guys who sell your baits have a right to protect what makes your baits unique and successful. But what ever you do choose to share is greatly appreciated.

I am thankful for all the help i have received from everyone on this site. I have asked a ton of ???s and almost all have been answered with open arms. If it was not for those who helped me along the way i'm not sure if i could afforded to get into this hobby. In return i have tried to help others that have asked ???s. And no i don't have the talent that others have but i still try. This forum was started to talk and share about this hobby that i love so much. I'm not able to fish like i use to because of health problems. So this hobby makes me feel like i can still be involved in a sport that i was so addicted to and love so much. I have become friends with some of the guys on this forum and that means a lot to me. And i would do anything for them because a friend is worth more to me than any lure that i will ever paint or any bass i will ever catch. You have the choice to help someone are not....and i choose to help everyone i can. I don't have any secrets to keep from anyone because someone shared the information with me. Yes....when you learn something on your own you should be proud, and that's a good thing. But i guess i was raised to always help others not as fortunate as i am. And yes i have been fortunate when it comes to others that have been willing to help me when i needed it. So thanks from the bottom of my heart to those of you that have took your time to help others out. God bless, Brent