earthworm77

2.CTCG Custom Tackle crafters Guild

#4

Custom Tackle Crafters Guild Unifying skilled lurecrafters to ensure consistent high quality products from small market custom builders.

Nathan, first of all, I commend you for approaching the board with this. I for one am IN! Count me in on this 100%. I see that it can be extremely beneificial to us once everything gets ironed out. While there are many concerns, you must expect that. People, all of us fear the unknown and none of us want to come out on the short side of this by a ratings system. I know that this is a tiny part of this and I am willing to not even think about it now in order to move on and get this in gear. Onlybass I appreciate you thoughts as well, they are legitament concerrns that I myself have. I for one am extremely interested in how we can increase our purchasing power by unifying a group of lurebuilders. I ask this question though, to be considered for this association, must there be standards? Obviously all of us who have legitimate tackle businesses should be included. By that I mean guys who are on the books with the Federal Tax ID's. When the time comes for us to actually buy things, the companies we buy from will want this info. So anyone who doesn't have it is essentially along for the ride but has to leave the bus before the last stop. You certainly don't want consumers knowing what you are paying for your products. Or even trade secrets that might be discussed. Now, does that mean the average guy who pours or carves or paints for himself and is not a legitimate business must be excluded? I think that is the first and foremost issue here. If legitimate businesses are the members of this association, you can eliminate the rating system because now you don't have to worry about "hacks". You either eliminate a tremendous number of people and go with the businesses or anyone can get involved. If this is meant for businesses only, then this whole operation should be taken to another board where only the members of the association can participate. This action will certainly divide the board and TU shouldn't suffer because of this. I'm hoping that I'm not out of line with this thinking. I have my own feelings about this but lets try to run with this point.

Just thinking about this more, is there a fair way to judge guys level of experience and uality of craftsmanship? I agree with Mills 100%, you will likely pit guys against each other and that will degrade from the purpose. I'm also not sure there is a fair clearcut way to judge guys. Each person will submit polished work but there is no way to judge consistency on a long term basis. Do you go to ebay and check feedback then? I like the premise of the Association but it should not mean that everyone rachets up the competitive level around here. Then you will cut off the information flow as guys are constantly looking over their shoulders. This will in turn alienate newer guys to the site and the "in" guys will be seen as elitist. What credibility can a site have if say I am the judge of craftsmanship? Who the hell am I or ultimately the person who judges this craftsmanship? What if I, the ratee, don't believe that the judge is qualified to rate? There's got to be a way to accomplish the goal of becoming an organization without causing a major rift between builders, craftsmen and tackle makers. My only concern about this is a rating issue. I'm confident about my own work but it WILL cause alot of problems.

Nathan, I can see the benefits of this in the long run by unifying a group to give tackle builders or in my case hand pourers a voice. However, I just think that problems will arise down the road upon guys being judged in their work. You know that a guy who is rated lower than others will take it personally and accuse everyone of alienating him, not allowing him into the "in" group etc. Perhaps ratings are not the way to go. Experience and the amount of years in business should count for something but why not let that information speak for itself rather than put a number value on it? I'm interested in helping out with this. Let me know if there is anything I can do. I'd also like to hear more nuts and bolts about it.

You guys talking about me???? lol, There's only one earthworm!

Just wanted to stop in and let everyone know, I got the swimbaits super fast and they look even better in person than in the photos I've seen. Thanks again Matt. I will no doubt be ordering more of these!!!

Jim, for jigs......you have to use Powder paint. I sell tons in quantity and I don't think I've used anything better than Pro Tec powder paint. The process is simple and so is the curing. Once its complete, it is the most durable finish I've seen. If you are going to do a simple cingle color like black or brown, you can't beat it.

Jim, go to mizmo.com. I think they have tubes where you can see those colors up close.

After gawking at Matt's swimbaits for months, I bought 4 today. I just love the detail and the testimonials speak for themselves. Moving to Florida in a month, hope the bass have a liking for them. Hey Matt, how about a golden shiner for me???

Matt I wish I had that talent and patience to do that, those are so pretty I'd be afraid to fish them and crud them up. Excellent job.

All of these guys are definately skilled at their craft.

One would think that with the popularity of the bait, RI would be in no danger of going under.

I like the pouring spout also.

8oz plastic, 6 drops of LC rootbeer, green flake

Rookie, that's sounds a bit like a copper melon I pour, it is a great color.

Bummer, that is a good idea but may be too bright. Buffer it with some white paper, the light should still make the plastic look vibrant and won't interfere with the camera.

Chris, who is the guy on Ebay who does all of his hand pour photos outdoors??? Creek Critter? That guy has the most amazing photos I've seen of plastic baits.

Danny you are 100% correct, I took this photo on my glass patio table. The color is dead on accurate from photo to bait.

I still have the originals when they were made custom for Snoozers, who I used to rep for back in the day.....made through Mizmo. Shuberts and Harry's makes the color and I've seen both as being very green in color. The new Mizmo color varies slightly but I'm not sure it really matters, the green coppery goodness just flat out works.

I wouldn't give up on the RK just yet. lol

I am a big fan of this color. It is funny how it varies from pourer to pourer. I'm a fan of Chris' version as I like the red flake in mine.

I'm going to stick with the 1 pc. I think that the 2 pc will be difficult to fill up the flaps and you likely will not be able to use salt with it. I have some paddletail grub 2pc molds which I love, the tail is much thicker around than the beaver flaps....it doesn't always work and the plastic falls straight down. With the beaver, the flaps are not straight down so pouring too fast will not fill them up. It is going to bring on some problems.

Correct, Mizmo is the originator of the RoadKill color. I'm a Mizmo dealer and I assure you I have tons of those RoadKill tubes. I put some on ebay every now and then, you can get 'em cheap there.