Nathan

Yep,it's been done before..Lincoya makes his bills for his pumpkin seed cranks from spinnerbait blades..Try the search function,and you may come up with the pictures..Nathan

Hey Smitty, If you do a search under "Devcon" using the TU search button at the top of the page you'll find about 2-days worth of reading..Nathan

In my opinion..(that and .75 will get you a cup of coffee)..a bait that hunts is a bait that is nearly out of control.It's fighting too stay on a correct plain,but looses,and quickly recovers.With commercially avaible baits,you might find one were the wood density is causing this..A very rare find. Too increase your odds on a hunting crank,your going to have too build it your self too up your odds.Play around with bill length and particulary width....you want the bait pushed too its limits.Another option is shifting weight system on the inside of the bait..or a combination of the two. Some believe that brass line ties my play a role in a bait hunting,I disagree...I don't think the material of the line tie plays ANY role in it...just where the tie is placed would (increased pressure on the bill..etc) Now you can take your 75 cents and go buy a cup of coffee..Nathan

Congrats. Jerkbait!!!....I wish they show aired in Missouri,I love too see it..Nathan

Hey Fin, On baits that size you may want too check out the 3X split rigs stamina has..I use them on some of my baits,and really like them..Nathan

Do you have a picture so we can take a look?..Is the line tie on the bait or bill? How wide is the diving bill? You may be able too correct this without additional weight depending on the answers above..Nathan

It's funny you brought up those split rings....I spoke with the owner of the company,and we are working on a deal too equipt my lures with them. Will you lose fish too them...NO....provided you use the right size too the line you are using.I've seen them demoed,and when fighting a fish,the flex of the rod,and your drag keeps the rings from opening.When snagged,you point your rod straight at the lure,and pull steady on the line which allows the rings too open..Pretty slick..Nathan

There is a article in this months Muskie Hunter Mag. Talking about the use of 14"-24" baits....and how there isn't enough lure makers building them that large!!..Nathan

I agree...thats some impressive stuff!!..Nathan

Check out this link..it might be helpful..Nathan http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=10724

The first step is too get a website set up.(.People have to have a place too look at your baits)As for hiring a marketing firm,If you have the money too burn,that maybe a way too go.I think your best marketing tool is word of mouth..If you build a good quality product that puts fish in the boat,the word gets around.Too help you,find some guys you can trust,and use them as your pro-staff.You'll get burned by a few...but when you find the right group,they can do wonders for your sales..Nathan

Hey guys,Pictures take up alot of room in a forum.We ask that you PLEASE post your pictures in the appropriate forum in the Photo section. We all enjoy looking at you creations,and posting them in the photo section of this site allows for the most exposure of your lures. There is a exception too every rule,If you are demonstrating a technique,or have found a unique product go ahead and post a picture..some times a picture is worth a thousand words ... Thanks for your help..Nathan

Joe, Usually you can have a home based business endorced on to your home owner policy.Because I make wooden lures,it's shown as a wood working business. Additional premiums are charged for your tools because they are for "business use" and no longer for personal use.Also,a additional charge is made on your liability because of your increased exposure.Speaking of liability,you should make sure you have "Finished product" coverage.This covers you incase a hook pulls loose from a lure,and ends up in someone hand..etc...Nathan

Beautiful lures,Coleys Technique is slick for sure!!..Nathan

Beautiful as usual Matt..Nathan

Don't waste your time there..Jerry..(Redg8R) won their first contest,and never received his prize..Nathan

I'm curious if others have noticed the same that I Have...When you make a "Minor" mistake on a bait,it some times turns out too be my most productive lure...Let me explain.... I love jointed baits..I use a table top sander to shape most my baits.All shaping is done prior too cutting the joint.When I cut the lure in half for the joint,at times I see where the sides aren't shaped evenly..a minor defect,most wouldn't or couldn't even notice.I could easily fix the problem,but what the heck,this bait is for me.I complete the bait...and BAM..it's a fish catching machine.. Or,a minor flaw during the shaping of a diving bill...This bait is for me...I'll use it...a little extra tuning time is required,but the end result is a bait that fights to run straight,a little extra wiggle here or there in its struggle...Bam...another fish catching bait... I guess what I'm getting at is we strive for absolute perfection while building lures,we shoot ourselves in the foot doing so.It's these minor inperfections that puts "OUR" baits over the top. People comment too me all the time that I must have truck loads of my own baits too fish...not really...I keep my mistakes,and fish those baits. I won't sell a bait I make a mistake on...The main reason is if a client loves the bait,the chances of reproducing the same "mistake" is near impossible...Anyone else notice this?..Nathan

Incredible work guys...The collaberation is a great Idea!!..I'd like too see more of that..Nathan

My guess is the quality of the maribou you used..If you've tied many bucktails,you know some of the tails are great to tye with,and others are just good for the trash can.Maribou is the same way. I'd try purchasing maribou from a fly shop or online supplier. If your looking for a strong substitute for maribou with similiar action,try Icelandic sheep wool.It's about 8" long.Cut off the amount you want,run a comb through it to remove the under fur,and reverse tye it.What I mean by reverse tying is point and tye in the fibers facing out over the hook eye instead of the bend of the hook.When you have the fibers tied in,pull them back towards the hook bend,and cut them too the length you want.It now looks like a out of control umbrella..don't sweat it,when the fur gets wet,and the lure is worked through the water,the fibers will pull back over the hook bend,but when you slow the retrieve down or stop it,the tail really flares out..Nathan

Chart. like Bassnerd said is a great color for murky water..or you can go the opposite direction,and try Black....your looking for something that stands out in off colored water..Nathan

75.00 bucks ...In you DREAMS buddy!!!..I maybe easy,but I'm not cheap!! ..Nathan

Hi Musky...Not trying to dodge your question here,but if you use the TU search option on the upper right hand side of the screen you'll find a couple days worth of reading on the subject of top coats and how too's..Nathan

Brock, The colors on Rainbow Trout can really very depending on your location.Some have Bluegreen backs..some have Olive backs..or a kind of Golden Olive color back.Some have light pink stripes down the sides...others almost blood red.Most all have a pearl white belly. The colors I use are: Olive back...Rose colored stripe that I hit with red glitter for high lite...and a Pearl white belly..Nathan

Hey Guys, Well it's finally going to happen.The show will run 9 AM-5pm Sat. Jan. 28th- and noon too 4pm on the 29th. They are planning alot of advertising in the Kansas City Metro,and Springfield area. Booth rental is 125.00....I plan on having a booth,and would be glad to split fees with anyone who wants too come..Nathan

Congrats. Jed, You've earned it!!..I feel like we are family here,it's good to see one of our "own" get the exposure they deserve..Nathan