bladesandbaits

Sterling, I learned how to fish a (3/4 oz)Heavy Football from the guys I make them for.It took a while but I love to use it especially 20 to 25 feet deep. They taught me to keep it on the move all the time.The head rocks side to side when retrieved like this. I can tell you that they are most productive on hard bottom especially when scattered gravel and rock are present. They dont do well around brush simply because you stay hung up all the time. I had good success with them fishing shallow clay points earlier in the year at Hartwell/Russelland the Hill. I just started using them on the ledges at Russell and Hartwell in 20 to 25 feet but it took me a while to find humps and ledges with the right ingrediants. One thing I can tell you about getting bites is that they are hard to detect.But if you think you are getting bit do not repeat do not drop the rod tip to set the hook! If you give the fish all that wieght back on a slack line he will spit it before a cat can lick his but. If you have to lower the rod tip then real the slack line at same time. Most time if you keep pressure on they wont turn it loose.Then sweep and set the hook like on a rig. Equipment: 7 foot Med/ Hev rod 20 to 25 pound Flourocarbin Line (no mono ever!!!) Regards, Blades

http://www.lakelandinc.com/Lakeland_2005_Catalog_CD/Catalog_pages/Colorado_Premium.pdf http://www.lakelandinc.com/Lakeland_2005_Catalog_CD/Catalog_pages/Willowleaf.pdf You will need to buy some minimums to get a price break but Lakeland is about as close as you can get. To match Hildebrant weight and quality you will want to order the Premium Blade w/ Premium Finish. Hildebrant Willow blades have a unique taper on the point.It will be hard to get an exact match. There Colorado is a dead match to the Premium Grade Premium Finish Lakeland. Keep in mind that there has been a 43% increase in Blade prices recently. The bottom line is if you want the best Quality chances are you will have to pay a Premium but you still should be able to do better than Stamina or Jann's if you are prepared to purchase in minimum quantity. Regards,Blades

Here are a couple of things to try. If you are fishing with a partner, have him follow your top water retrieve with a Single Fluke or Double Fluke rig. If you are alone have a Front Runner tied on to a similar bait they are slapping,and switch to it. Also immediatly follow a a missed fish up with a Single or Double Fluke rig. If ou are not fishing a tournament then just lay the rod down and make the follow up cast rather than reel the bait in and follow up. Blades

Unless you want to get into interstate trade or deal with stores like Walmart there are alternatives to paying the yearly fee thing. As far as a seperate upc code for every product, thats a hard one to answer. I have a code that blankets all my Custom Paints (under one code) But I have a code for each stock spinnerbait and jig I make. Most stores I deal with want a seperate code for each product so they will be able to keep records easier as well as reorder easier. I have PM'd both of you. Kindest Regards, Blades

Yes.I currently own 50 UPC's. Blades

Jeff, just get a 7 Foot Ash Broom Handle,Use some hose clamps to attach the Reel and zip tie's to attach the Rod Guides and start "Yank'n some Lips!" Just Kidding fellas, good discussion. Blades

Well I really hate to be negative towards any Vendor but for me dealing with Stamina is like "Rolling The Dice" I just go ahead of them now and buy from the people they get there stock from but for some guys who buy smaller quantity that is not an option. My problems with them seemed to always be centered around an incomplete order.I read in this post someone mention "in stock items" were usually a promp delivery. What happens with Stamina is when they recieve your order,if there are a couple of items that they are out of stock on, they will hold your entire order up waiting for those out of stock items to come in. Now this is not a problem to me as long as they have the courtosy of letting me know whats going on with my order. I would finally call to check the status and then find out they were holding all my other items up because of one or two things being out of stock.So the next order I placed (which was my last) I verbally told the person that took my order to ship what was in stock,and DO NOT hold the rest of my order up because part of it was out of stock. 8 days later nothing came so I called and wouldn't you know it, they were once again holding my order for partial out of stock reasons. I was only using them to fill in when I ran short but not any more. I think Stamina offers an outstanding product line (if they can keep it in stock) but fail miserably in the Customer Service Department. Blades

Fingers those are some "Sho-Nuff" jacked up baits Dude!!!!!!!!!! Just beautifull. I think Rowhunter's tip was right on the money. Blades

Damn that was quick! Thanks a Million Sterling. You The Man Bro!!!!!!!!!!!!! Blades.

I finally get to keep a few for my box. I messed up the Signature on the Juicy Fruit and just plain misspelled it on the Missouri Minnow LOL. I need a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess Tally Boy would take them but I think I will just keep these for myself:lolhuh: Chartruese Shad Juicy Fruit Missouri Minnow II Regards, Blades

Hello all.I am looking for a Pattern on Bill Lewis Rattle Trap. The Pattern is #114 Pumpkin Seed or Maybe it is Pumpkin. I have looked through all my Bill Lewis literature back to 2002 as well as search the net and cant come up with anything. Any help would be appreciated. Regards, Blades

You are welcome. I am down the road about 35 minutes in Ila. You can throw a rock and hit Bond,s Marine Sales from my place. If you need any help with what you are doing just PM me. Regards, John

Livewell, once upon a time there was site called tacklemaking.com. Some of the Senior members here had a past affiliation with this site. There was a page on that site that went into great detail about this very same subject. I had it saved and cannot find it. Maybe if Redg8r reads this post he can dig it up. I dont believe the site is active anymore although I have seen a link to that Blade Size page posted here a good while ago. BTW, where in Georgia are you? Kindest Regards, Blades

Nope. My reply was not mean to be of few words. I had attached a file and obviously did not do it correctly nor did I check it later. So lets start over again. If the message had completly posted the comment was that you listed 6 steps in your post and I was wondering what happened to the other 2. I was just curious and am far from a Master at anything.I was thinking I might learn somehing from the 8 steps and 5 hours of care. Here's what I do: Note: It depends on the factory bait. Many require more prep and many require less. 1- Scoth Brite the bait (not diving bill) or sand with 100 grit Wet ot Dry Sand Paper. Most times Normans Gellcoat baits-Rebel Pop R- Mann's Baits especially Stretch 20's and All Storm Baits get the Sand Paper. 2- Steel wool the bait 3- Wash with mild soap and very hot water using a small piece of Scothbrite.Allow to dry well 4- Mask the lip 5- Wipe of with Paper Towel lightly dipped in Lacquer Thinner. Alcohol in my opinion leaves to much residue on the bait. 6- Blow Bait off with Compressed Air. I use a blow off nozzle and about 90 PSI. I blow the bait off in front of my Paint Room exhaust fan.Lay the fully prepped bait on a Paper Towel or piece of newspaper so that you dont pick up any unwanted dust or debre.I use paper egg flats. 7- Prime with Lacquer Primer 8- Base coat White Paint bait as you desire and of course clearcoat with anything but Devcon/Etex. LOL just kidding. If the Paint is coming off then obviously something did not bond well. It should be pretty easy to figure out if you take notice of how the paint peeled or if it peeled all the way back to the original bait surface. You might have done something as simple as not sanded or scuffing the body to insure a good bond.

He was the founder of this Lure Company. http://www.mannsbait.com/ He past away not long ago. http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/sports/050220/stackout.shtml You can Google him and read many articles on his great contribution's to Sport Fishing as well as the Lure Industry. Regards, Blades

Welcome. Blades

Absolutly Outstanding! Blades

Happy Birthday Robert. Good Lord I wish i could see 30 again! Blades

8 steps and 5 hours of care. Blades

http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/610.cfm http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/stt.cfm Blades

I Paint Dying Flutter's-Devils Horse- and Bango Lures with upside down patterns quite frequently. I can't say they catch more fish but I certainly dont think it makes the lure less productive. Blades

Welcome Tony

I know everyone does not have the same equipment but since I have a dedicated paint room now, I try to keep it 60 to 70 degrees (F) year round and have a de humidifier that keeps the room at 30 to 40% humidity. Although I shoot almost 95% Laqcuer, I have vertually no problems with any paint I shoot.No matter the paint I like to shoot it thin. If possible, I think a controlled environment makes a big difference. Blades

I think it is about as good as I have seen. Just a great job!!! Blades

Ok Kat, go ahead and post them grown uns you caught a couple weeks ago. They might be bigger but I aint as ugly as you:lol: Blades