nova

Did you try the PM (private message)?

A neat little trick to repair a bait or to "close up the split" is to take a pair of pliers and a thin piece of metal about 1/4" wide and 1 1/2" long. Heat the metal with a torch (I use a micro torch) until it is red hot. Then just pass the metal between the 2 pieces you want to seal and presto. You may have to practice to get the speed at which you slide the metal to get the best results. It's great for sealing up hook-tears as well. :idea:

Why don't you attach small corkscrew spring steel to the duck and just screw the legs on. That way if a leg gets damaged by a fish you can easily replace it. :idea:

I put 1 cup plastic to 1/2 cup of floured salt. Make sure you mix it in well before you heat it.

I guess it all comes down to each his own.

I don't think we have to agree to disagree at all. I can only speak to my local situation. I am one of the founding directores of our local club and in our constitution we have a "sportsman" clause. Part of that clause deals with the treatment of live fish even if you are fishing outside of a tournament. When you join our club you have to agree to this. If you are caught mistreating any fish,in any way, you're membership can be revoked and you may even be reported to the authorities depending on what you've done. We have a lot of lakes locally and out tournaments are set up with great care so that there is minimal effect on the resourse. We work closely with DNR on this and they have done extensive testing on the resource. Basically what I'm saying is that it is up to each member of each club to do their best to "protect" the resource, not to exploit it. We have heard the stories(all the way up here) about lakes being virtually wiped out by the high profile trails. This, I agree is just wrong and I don't understand your local DNR putting up with it. We have to apply for permits for each tournament and if DNR feels that a certain lake has seen too much pressure they will pull the permit. As far as the inventive angle goes there have been many inventions done under the pressure of "competition". Medical as well as mechanical. This type of competition is no different. Don't get me wrong here; I'm not upset with your posts; I'm just stating my opinions and thoughts on the matter. I'm a great believer in you get what you create.

I don't agree Mac. Tournaments are what help keep the inventive spirit going at a good pace. I understand what you mean about the $ though. Unfortunately for some folks that means more to them than the sport. Our local club(not connected to BASS or any other organization) has been going since the late 80's and we have 12 to 14 tournys every year one of which is for charity(local). I do think that some of the folks have to look around the glitz though to see what is real for the average fisherman. I aslo know that tournaments are not for everyone and that's ok. The one thing to remember is what an old gent said to me on a fly fishing river:- " every day you go fishing, is one more day you are going to live".

Same thing happened up here. The local groups closed up. The smaller groups are nothing more that "feeders" $ for the main setup. All the cards are stacked against you at the start. It's a race you can't win. We have a very good bass club locally and that's the clubs that everyone should support.(you're local clubs)

I really wouldn't worry about it Ken. Not that I want to offend anyone; but if the way that I celebrate holidays does; get used to it.

I used to make a fluke with silver and fine holi on the back with a red and holi belly. Worked quite well.

Happy "T" day to you too even though we've already had ours,lol. Don't get me going on political c'ness. This drives me crazy. It's not a Christmas tree, it's a holiday tree. B** SH**. It's a Christmas tree. If you don't celebrate xmas it's your perogative not to but don't spoil mine. I'd like to know who comes up with this silly stuff and where they live. What ever happened to:- it is what it is and it aint what it aint. Ken, this wasn't directed at you. It's just me spouting off about this silly world we have made for ourselves.

Why don't you offer your gear on the auction site here at TU? Try not to get too depressed with your misfortune and good luck.

Broomstick handles are most times made with ash. If you want to make a really big saltwater plug, use an old baseball bat. lol, just kidding. Your local store should be able to order in any size you want.

Some times my ideas come to me in a dream or nightmare(lol). Most times the ideas just pop into my head. I used to try to force it but that rarely works. Just poke around the web. Not with the idea of copying some one else; but just for a spark to ignite your creative fire.

Working on a new soft lure design. Made the master mold; now I just have to make the production molds. I'll post some pics later.

Thanks Pop.

Sorry, I must have the wrong guy. Take a look in the wire bait photos and you'll see what I mean.

Pop; When I was making them I found that if I attached directly I got more hits. Never could figure out why. I "think" it changed the action a little with the split ring. Oh, by the way; how did "Buzz" the mouse work for you this season?

Hello and welcome to TU. I'm not that far from you. Just across the Bay of Fundy. Glad to help with any questions.

Try to get your hands on some small (hobby) dead electric motors. The ones that are about as big as a pecan. Take it apart and unwind the wire from the motor. it will be a fine copper wire with a laquer finish on it. You should get yards of the stuff. I used to use this stuff when I was tying flys.

Don't they still have the 1-800 number? I would rather talk to a real person. That way if there is going to be a short-ship you will know it right away.

Green pumpkin; smoke pepper;watermelon red glitter; baitfish which is a smoke pepper back with a clear belly silver glitter; and a color that worked very well for me this year which I came up with is a green smoke. That would be the 5 picks for my area.

You have to pour the 2nd and 3rd color as soon as possible. I like to have my 2nd color a little hotter than the first and the 3rd a little hotter than the 2nd. You also should pre-heat your molds.(I usually fill the molds with one color and let them set) You're getting what I call "cold-cracks". Sometimes the baits will come apart because of them. Give it a try and let us know.

Rico; How long are those baits? Nova

Salt is salt is salt. The only difference is the size of the crystal. I flourize mine in a coffee grinder. It suspends better. Remember if you use large crystals your baits will be stiffer.