Brett

Lots of great tips here. I was looking for something that would stand up to lures being dragged through a boulder field on bottom at 5 mph,,, this stuff will do the trick. Yes a little tricky but like anything always a few tricks to learn. I'm really impressed with how hard it gets.... I file is able to work out anything you couldn't smooth down.

Jerkbait, Thanks for this tip, just tried it out,,, exactly what I was looking for,,,, the stuff is amazingly hard,,,,

To me it is proven that it is action,,,,,, this is why all those " special " baits are out there that the fish have torn the finish off and still continue to produce.

Here's a quick pic I have stored of the smallest musky bait I make,,,,, Found another of my " tackle box " from a few years back

Trial and error on your own is the way to learn. I also had to do all the figuring out myself. Fish mainly a river, downstream trolling dead slow,,,,, came up with an over size lip to cup more water, dives her to the bottom while barely beating the current........ but the big lip keeps her out of trouble running over bottom,,,,, by far the best bait I've ever run for this... Still learning and having fun..... congrats on the catch,,,,, got a 50" and a real fat 49 within just over an hour,,,,, man it pumps you up !! Cool your son is in on it,,,,,, have my oldest 13 years old working on his own model now...... all ready has boated some nice fish..... Have fun with it....

Nice fatties there,,,, feels good eh !!!!!!

Not really sure but only tip I can give you is you will need to rough up the surface.

Very perrrrrrtyy,,,,,,, nice work,, looks tastey to me!

I've had zero issues with any polycarbonate I've used. Right down to 36 degree water,, still with stood the punishment. I imagine if it was absorbing water it would turn a different colour, which I have never seen.

Jerkbait, sounds very interesting, just the kind of tidbit I was hoping to learn. Sawdust trick is great as well, should have thought of this as my dad does this with white wood glue on his,,,,, interior wood crafts. Thanks,,

Been toying with a few ways of filling in holes and such for ballast weight, screw holes, etc. Tried different wood fillers. Will be using epoxy as I want extreme durability. Anyone have any experience they wish to share with other materials?

Lik'n the dance,,,,,,, great work !

Muskiefool thanks, learned something there. George, I'm going to check out the welding guys. I was given a spool of 0.045, enough I would probably never run out. It seems good but want to try the thicker stuff.

Planning on up grading my wire to 0.70 or close to it for my wire through. I was about to order through Moores lures but see on the website they are not filling orders until April. I plan to search out locally where I am but thought first stop would be here with the boys who are in the know.

Nice, nice, very nice............ rainbow is my go to bait on the Niagara!

11" very sweet. What kind of depth are they running at? Very nice work indeed, hope you bust a hawg!

Ps,,,,, going to make a point of fishing in woodieb8's back yard with my kids this summer, will stop by his shop,,,,,,,,,, will look for some new secrets,

That's funny dude, was just looking at your foiling and am very impressed with your work. I made one photo finish and man did it look crazy in the water. Have been renovating my house, time constraints are killing me, but I'm in for the long haul and will get at it soon... Cheers to you

Thanks guys, I did better work this last season. Have really nailed down consistancy. Just having trouble finding the time. My work got me invited on a trip,,,,,,, check it out if you have the time... http://www.fishinfo.com/fishingreports/ForumID9/806.html[/url] a few other pics from the season

I put netting over my entire bait and use clothes pegs on the belly to keep it in place. I have some paper cut outs I tape where I wish the gill plate to be. I then paint my scale pattern, remove the netting and then paint the gill plate. I find it gives enough contrast. You would also then have a line you could paint in detail if you wish. A dual action gun would be best as you can apply the paint thin and build it up if you are a little shaky. Practice will get you to where you want to be. It really won't matter to the fish anyways.

I use 1/4, any lip thinner with size to it running fast and especially crashing bottom will flex and affect the finish at the lip and body joint. I have used, I believe the brand name was " rino " polycarbonate, found it the same as lexan. Even got some black tinted lexan given to me, made the black perch and stuff look extra mean..... Try a glass shop, starting getting scraps, actually traded the guy for some baits, he kept me busy. Shop around, try to find a guy putting an order in who will give you it at his cost plus a few bucks. Hockey rinks use it to cover the advertisements they put on the boards.

I've had success with the through wire, but failed with light wire. Wire broke when towing them at 5 mph, too much knock'n. Through wire the back end and pour lead into the hole to keep it all together. I have found I like to put the wire on the bottom third of the bait, find it helps to keep it running true rather than flopping onto it's sides as much. Hope this kind of make sense. Found on certain body types you have to move your weight placement as the front section of the bait won't maintain lip angle in the water and will allow the water to run over the lip and give the bait considerably less action.

I've had success with the through wire, but failed with light wire. Wire broke when towing them at 5 mph, too much knock'n. Through wire the back end and pour lead into the hole to keep it all together. I have found I like to put the wire on the bottom third of the bait, find it helps to keep it running true rather than flopping onto it's sides as much. Hope this kind of make sense. Found on certain body types you have to move your weight placement as the front section of the bait won't maintain lip angle in the water and will allow the water to run over the lip and give the bait considerably less action.

I use 1/4", mind you my lips are a little bigger. Thinner Lexan will flex when being pulled through rocks and can cause the finish to separate at the lip of the bait. The thickness you have chosen maybe ok in the size of lip you are making. If you are buying it go heavier. I glue my lip in to set it straight, then put two 1" screws in. I drill when the lip is in place and stop as soon as I feel the bit clear the lexan. Guys I get my baits out to run them into under water rock walls at 5 mph, so might be overkill in your situation, but not in mine.

very original, I would be interested in the action on that. I suggest you upsize your hooks to 10/0.