Nathan

Soupy...alewifes aren't a prey source here in Missouri,so I'm not familiar with their color...let me know what color they are,and I'm sure I can get you fixed up.Custom colors aren't usually a problem. If your looking for a good striper lure,The Assassin should work for you.I designed that for stripers when I lived in California.I lived just 15 miles from San Luis resivoir/O'neill Forebay.Thats where the world record landlocked striper came from.The flyfishing world record striper also came from there...It was caught by a fishing buddy of mine..Al Whitehurst....Nathan

Jim...Thats the truth...40 hours in a day would be just about right!! Markell...Probably...I'll get a couple proto-types made...and see how they work out,and make any adjustments before I offer them on my site..Nathan

Muskyal...I'll need to see what your talking about to answer your question..try laying the bait right on the scanner,and closing the lid best you can..Nathan

Thanks Jim.....I haven't forgot your request for a smaller version....It's on my " too do" list!!..Nathan

If that is the one with multiple joints on 2 wire shafts,I built 4 like it about two years ago.Your right,it is big task,thats why I dropped it...no one would want to pay what you would need to charge for one. My "Flure" has a lot more action because the movement doesn't come from joints,but actually comes from the material itself....Nathan

Excellent article isn't it?..Nathan

I agree with out2llunge...Cut them when your wood is still square.It can be done later,but it is much more difficult,and there is nothing worse than cutting a crooked slot in a bait you've already taken the time to shape..Nathan

Cody...Skeeters right when it comes to baits...the big key is practice,practice,and a little more practice....I didn't see where you mentioned you drew a center line down your baits...That can be a big help when your first getting started keeping your baits straight,and making sure your taking equal amounts off each side.Also,always cut your lip slot when your wood is still square,this will keep your slot straight....Nathan

Jed...Pine or cedar will work just fine...Take a look at my Flat Jack....It will dive to 4 ft on 20lb line.....or you can crank it slowly and keep it on top...Nathan

Musky1 was right when he mentioned the "height" of the lure this can cause you problems...Also you said you were pouring your lead...I do the same..but right after i pour the lead...soon as it sets up..press the lure against a flat surface to compress the lead completely in the cavity....this way you know you don't have any "high sdes" in the lead...Nathan

I went to a exotic wood store and ask for Jelutong...the guy said it use to be a readily avaible wood...but the sources for it have dried up...he told me that Jelutong is actually wood from a rubber tree!!..Nathan

Mossman, I cut a channel for the bearing. Besure when cutting your channel it dosen't interfer with the placement of your eyescrews.Before I epoxy my lure halves back together,I will give the channel a coat of epoxy...then set it aside to dry. Then when I epoxy the halves together..BECAREFUL NOT TO GET ANYMORE EPOXY IN THE CHANNEL...or you'll have a bearing glued in one place!!...The reason for the epoxy in the channel lets the bearing roll easier,and it adds a little more noise..Nathan

Mossman...Ive used the bearings like you use for a wrist rocket in those weight transfer lures...It works really well..Nathan

One word......WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..Nathan

Vmaxx...The guys who wrote this book are the same ones who wrote precision trolling.They did the same kind of tests for trolling...I heard it was a VERY accurate book...Nathan

Great questions.....and I think you are both right.Jed to answer your question...for us it's mostly trial and error....if you asked me to build lure "X" that dives 4 ft and has a wide wobble....I've built enough lures through the years that I could probably have you a proto-type in just a couple bait experiments...Now if you asked me to build you something that dove to 20ft...thats not a realm I mess with,and your talking a whole lot of experimental baits!!! I know the "BIG BOYS" use computer generated graphics etc. to build their lures..look at all the commotion of the Frenzy cranks Berkely is putting out...that was some serious computer work!!! But like Bassanator said..with us no two baits are exact.....we can come extremely close...maybe we can't even tell the difference with the naked eye..but the differences are there!!!Actually, with the big companies working with wooden baits....theirs will be a little different too....wood dencity(spelling?) is smething they can't overcome either!!!..Nathan

Mossman...First welcome to the site,I'm glad you joined in!! Now your question..I would go with a dense wood such as Bass,cedar or even pine.The extra weight will benefit you in casting.As for weight placement....I'd place the majority of the weight towards the back of the lure.This will reduce tumbling...Nathan

I agree ..they are beautiful!!!..what type of paint?..Nathan

Littlebear..Here is your official WELCOME to the site..Nathan

Tally...With a name like that for a lure....You just may scare the #@^% out of them!!!! LOL..Nathan

I think what Skeeter is refering to is a post I made some time back about "custom or handmade baits"....All these companies throw these phrases around freely.....I don't mind the use of tools in lure production...I use them all the time...but it is me controling them...NOT a computer. I do appreciate the post...it's very interesting on how the "Big Boys" do it....Nathan

I agree Ken,and Skeeter. It's been 3 years now that you guys,Lincoya and myself have been bouncing around here!!!It's been a blast...and thanks to Jerry and all his hard work,its going to get better. Everyone have a safe and happy New Year!!!...Nathan

Really nice looking bait Talley!!!..Nathan

I second that..Welcome Magicbob...If you have any questions just ask.Someone around here is bound to have the answer...Nathan

Great tutorial,and beautiful lures!!..Only one thing bothers me Chip.....your shop is SO CLEAN....that is a sign of a sick mind!!..LOL!!!...Just kidding...Looking forward to your next project...Nathan