psilvers

Thanks for the info! I will have to check it out. However, Zman chatterbaits are generally 1/2 oz or smaller. I was thinking of something bigger.

When I lived in Alabama, there were a lot of guys on the gulf Coast who would use spinnerbaits for trout and reds. I haven't seen them used much for blues or stripers, but I would think that they would be effective. I am not trying to hijack this thread, but I thought this might add another dimension - has anyone ever tried to use chatterbaits for blues or stripers? I am starting to make some chatterbaits with bucktail. I think they would be GREAT for blues, stripers, etc. Pete

Just a quick note about Zeiner's - I have bought a lot of stuff from them and have never had a problem. Their service has always been excellent. A few weeks ago I ordered a mold through their site. A short while later, I got a call from them telling me that the mold would not be in for 2 days and asking if that was OK. I have also never had a problem with their packaging. I think that ANY of the vendors from whom we buy can screw up occasionally , whether it is Zeiner's, Barlow's, LPO, etc. I have bought from all three and have had generally good service. I understand that you can get PO'd - (as I have!!) but I would give any of these guys another chance! Pete

Thanks for the info! Pete

I have started doing a bit of airbrushing on my jigs. I do apply a base coat of powder paint, but on some jigs, the major portion of the top coat of paint is Createx (usually Wicked colors). I then bake the jig a bit to set the acrylic and cover with a couple of coats of Enviro-Tex Lite. I haven't tried these jigs yet, so I figured I would ask you guys - how well do you think they will hold up? My previous jigs that I have painted AND FISHED were all powder coated and coated with Enviro-Tex - and they did well. Just wondering whether I am wasting my time with some airbrush paints that won't hold up. Thanks, Pete

I got a copy of Barlow's new catalog and there is a LOT of new stuff! I haven't had a chance to look through all of it, but I will in the next few days. New blades, Createx paints, etc. Pete

There was a video on Youtube (by Skimpy, I think) and the inserts only straightened out after 38 lbs or so of pull. I don't remember whether they were the large insert or the small insert - I am not sure the wire gauge is the same. I have the inserts, I can check. Pete

I have a Peak Rotary Vise that I picked up at Bass Pro years ago. It is a great vise for almost all size hooks. If you need to tie large hooks, there are a large set of jaws (those were extra, but I forgot how much). The price of the vise is around $150. Pete

Thanks! I was wondering whether the eyes sold by Barlows, LPO, Janns, etc. were WTP. Pete

The video wations not purposely made blurry - those were just the conditions in Kansas at the time. We are exploring getting a provisional patent on the design, because it does have a unique action, and it DOES work! I have caught hybrid stripers, largemouth, smallmouth,, crappie on them. I think we will concentrate on sizes between 1/4 and 1 1/2 ozs. My partner will be trying some in Alabama. Pete

You can get the WTP eyes at Cabela's or Bass Pro. You can also buy directly from WTP. You can thin out D2T with isopropyl alcohol. However, I prefer to use Envirotex - it takes longer to set, but it is clear compared to the D2T (which can yellow). Pete

That is some great info - will Alumalite hold up to 10 castings or so? I am looking to make some models from which CNC molds can be made. Pete

Smalljaw, I was looking for some flat eye jigs this weekend to try just that configuration! Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to get to Cabela's or BPS and none of the molds I have produce flat eye jigs. I have been using figure 8 links from LPO, but I don't think the blade is close enough to the head to give me the best action. Pete

I hope you have a speedy recovery! I look forward to your post. I have made a few chatterbaits using connectors from LPO. They seem to run OK, but I look forward to new ideas. Pete

Thanks for all the info!! Pete

Cadman and Smalljaw - Thanks for the info. I will contact O'Hare Spring. I remember seeing them mentioned here before, I just could not remember their name. Best, Pete

The loops are not big - they should fit in the space for a hook eye in a Do-It mold. I want to convert a regular Do-It mold to a swing jig. The wire size would be .04 and maybe .051. Do you make wire forms? Pete

Does anyone around here do this? The form I am looking for would be rather simple - straight wire with a closed loop on each end. Eventually, I would be looking for some quantity. Thanks, Pete

I have both Poison Tail molds - swingtail and standard. I don't think that the wire insert will fit without modification. The collar of the jig on the standard mold is longer than the collar of the jig on the swingtail. Pete

I do have the conversion for wire up to .051. Your observation about having to apply more pressure with heavier wire is EXACTLY what I am speaking of. I was wondering whether the Du-Bro bender was any easier. Pete

LPO has the Du-Bro wire bender. The DeLuxe model is $400. I have a Hagen's wire former, but I find that with the heavy wire, it is next to impossible to make tight barrel wraps. It will wrap the wire, but the wrap is spread out a bit because the wire around which the wrap is being formed gets pulled along. Does anyone have any info on the Du-Bro? Is it easy to make TIGHT barrel wraps with that unit? Is there any solution for the Hagen's unit? BTW, the Hagen's unit works great with the lighter wires, it is just a problem with the .051 wire - and maybe a bit of a problem with the .040 wire, but not as bad. Thanks, Pete s

Not to add fuel to the fire, but one of my baits is actually a unique design that I will probably patent. My questions about the chatterbait were not meant to try and figure a way around the Z-Man patent so that we could compete with them. I wanted to know what was protected because some of the attributes of the chatterbait might be useful to incorporate into a bait that would be different from what Z-Man is producing. So, some of what I may do in the near future involves an entirely new bait, as well as other baits that are not just "knock offs" but that do incorporate some features of baits on the market. Basically, I am not trying to "steal" anything, I am just trying to find out what aspects are protected (i.e. unique) and what aspects are not. Pete

Thanks Cadman and Walking Dead! I will have to check those out. At this point I have been doing this as a hobby for a number of years, but I have a design of my own that I may try to patent. That design is NOT related to the chatterbait. However, I was thinking of doing something with bladed jig style of lure also. Pete

Barlow's also has them --- http://www.barlowstackle.com/Connector-Links-P835.aspx However, I have a question for you guys about the chatterbait - I have not looked at the patent, but I was wondering what aspects of the lure are patented. Is it the connection and the blade shape (coffin blade)? I am a bit puzzled because I see companies (LPO, Barlow's, etc) selling "jig dancer blades" that are similar. Folks aren't buying these blades by the hundreds for their own use. So, if you make a bladed jig with one of those blades and use split ring connectors - or some other type of connection - is it in violation of the chatterbait patent? Thanks, Pete

Thanks Apdriver! I do THINK it will handle cobia and AJ, I just wanted to get some other opinions. Pete