Travis

The scanned image was the bad one but I keep forgetting how small the images end up being once posted....

I attach everything together on one harness typically when doing two piece baits. Bad image but .....

For most of us using a syringe is the simplest and cleanest method (besides just using drops). Once you start trying to transfer to containers, tsps, etc.... it becomes a huge mess and transfer errors become more into play.

I would recommend just getting some syringes. Neat and clean. Squirt what is left over back into the bottle and then store the syringe with the colorant (cap syringe and slide under rubber band). I get them from work but pharmacy should have some or you can order them online easily. I would recommend the 1 ml syringe for what you are doing. . 1 ml Dosing Syringe | U.S. Plastic Corp.

I don't see you having anything to worry about with regards to that bait. Mr. Wiggly was found in many shelves at Wally World for a time period probably pushing 10 years ago before being bought out and discontinued. (but no eyes). The eye trick has been used for some time also on various baits (pen insert and smaller craft store eyes). I like his videos but it isn't anything I haven't seen here on TU over the years.

Maybe I am not following his account of what happens or swim baits have a different lingo.... but it would appear bait one floated and once weighted (too much weight) it would indeed stay righted but sunk and then roll onto the side once it was reeled in. Second bait he poured with micro bubbles (top) half thinking it would act like a cork and force the bait to right itself but it didn't and after weighting it performs the same as the first. (sinks and rolls)

I started out mainly using the Craft paints. Depending on the brand, thinned, strained, additives, etc... and was happy with the results but eventually started moving to "airbrush" specific paints to save some time. There are some colors I still grab from the craft paints however.

Larger hooks are going to help because it will put more weight lower but based on his description on performance it isn't going to change the outcome. Vikingbear take all the advice and hit the drawing board again. All these will help and definitely get a bait that is slightly off running right but I think based on the design and your description you are further from ideal than can be corrected with the methods mentioned.

Your best bet would be POP if you are set on having the beaver.

Essentially just make the mold in the typical fashion. I would attach the front line to the eye of the hook you select and cast it directly into the bait. The line tie being pinned into position during casting affixed to the hook and have the shank of the hook running out the mold. With RTV easier as with something like a 50 D or so. The mold with give but still seat well enough around the shank of the hook. You may need wrap some wire around the shank to increase surface area to lock the hook into the casting.

I would say it has to deal with the design and most of the bait being above the line tie. You have tried to already compensate this fact by adding as much weight as you can to "force" it to be balanced. I would look at different casting medium and potentially a redesign of the bait. I don't think micro balloons are going to help the situation. You can attempt to add the weight even lower, for example what happens if you add the weight onto the hook. Can you get it to sit upright then? Don't weight the bait just the hook and see if it will right itself. I

Definitely can be done and based on some of your posts you already well on your way. POP can be used as long as care is taken not to design a head that will lock into place. Husky, Art Brush, and a few others come to mind for information on molds and casting. Search "foamies" and you should find a list of names associated with the topic that can help. I have used POP, bondo, and RTV for most of my molds when making foamies.

I typically buy mine at Ace but just because it is less than a mile from the house.

I very much like the toy analogy!! While I understand where you are coming from Skeeter I have to wonder...... Will this new toy be much of a toy if the members aren't happy at the playground? Overall approval will most certainly be needed for this "toy" to be of value. A broken toy won't bring in near as much money as toy that all the kids don't want to play with it. If you get too many kids bossing the other kids on what they can and can't do does the playground end up with fewer kids? I now to just avoid the big kids on the playground. . I really am not too worried, concerns sure, does it matter in the grand scheme of things absolutely not.

This is already going on.....best bet is to go off site and use a chat like Yahoo and invite the individuals you want. I may not be following correctly with the concept however.

Thin Devcon and then apply with cheap brush. It usually takes a few coats as it absorbs into the mold a certain amount of depth.

I would see it as fair game for hard baits.

I wasn't a fan of elmers or modge podge glues. I have stuck with thinned epoxy and never have had issues with dull baits or loss of details. Might not be the easiest or quickest method but never has left me with bad results.

I don't think anyone was bashing LPO at all. I think most are concerned with what historically occurs when things like this occur. I understand the time Jerry put into the place, we all do, and are thankful for it. Whether it is correct or not many feel they had a huge part in the success of the site and have very much molded this site into what it. For me there was a large core group of guys that are "masters" most of us think of short list of names when we think hard baits, soft plastics, etc... guys that just know the craft. The fear is if the the site morphed into something where these guys moved on (some have and I believe the site hurt for it) we would end up well.....like a lot of baits "boy it looks pretty but it won't catch a fish".

Yeah I have had some baits that you could pour oil out of the bag. I avoid salt in most of my personal use baits and use just the bare minimal amount of oil needed if any at all. I used to bag worms about as soon as they cooled, used a lot more oil then. Now I am lazy and they sit for a much longer and seams a lot less oil is used if any.

I wasn't saying not upgrade the home page.. just most that routinely use the site don't venture to the homepage ever. I have no idea of time table of when or how many changes are to be made but call me selfish I would rather see changes to areas that most members utilize first.

Typically order mine from smooth on.

I would find the gallery more effective if the member galleries were used. General categories are great but many are really only interested in hand full of guys work and scrolling through pages of lures one is not interested in is limits the functionality of the gallery. . Home page is important but remember many don't ever go to the home page just link straight to forums.

I am definitely giving Curt a chance just expressing concerns I know several have (some I share). I am interested in seeing what changes/improvements are made.

I don't see it as terrible in any means......things change. Change can often be good, bring new life into things, break individuals out of slumps. You guys will be given a fair shake overall by most and if people don't like it then they will leave no big deal. I do see potential issues that TU didn't have necessarily as potentially existing now, will they be issues? Yes you guys were sponsors but a sponsor of a site is very different than the current scenario. I like to build lures just as most on the site and to be honest when I buy stuff I buy it from whomever. Some are concerned that if someone new was looking into getting into making lures they would leave a site like this thinking that one place exists. If the site moves in this direction the spirit and what the site was is gone and that is what most are concerned with. TU will remain the same in the foreseeable future.....yikes now you have me concerned based on the previous times I have heard that one.