bladesandbaits

Welcome James!!!!glad to have you here. Ditto on what Tally boy said. Holler if you need anything. Blades

Sounds like a good idea for sure.I say go for it. BTW, in no way do I want this to sound as though I am hyjacking your post but there are a few things you have mis- informed this forum about. There are two companies here in the US that manufacture there own skirt material.Rat Trap Bait Company is the probably the largeast volume wise of the two.Although R-Trap does get a few skirts manufactured by Skirts Plus,they do 90% of there skirts in house. As far as the petrolium smell: The reason the skirts smell like gasoline or mineral spirits is that ALL these manufacturers have to use a chemical called Toluene. Toluene is used especially on skirts such as Natures Edge,Fish Scale,Nature Scales,pretty much any silicone skirts that has a printed pattern on it. Unfortunatly Toluene is the only chemical dupont can reccomend to these guys to prepare the silicone layers to accept the print and extra stuff that goes in to making these specialized skirts. The problem is that sometimes these manufacturers get behind and have to send the skirts out when they are still (Green) without giving them time to air out. When they say they will "try to better next time" they mean it. They sometimes dont have the time to allow the skirts to "air out" before shipping. I go through spells when my skirts smell really strong I called Bubba at Rat Trap and he was kind enough to give explain it to me.I just air them out and the smell is not as bad. When you start your pad business,if you discover an alternate method other than Toluene keep it under your hat and sell the process!!!! You will get rich!!!!!!!! Good luck with it. Blades

robbor,try brake cleaner.You can buy it at the auto parts store.It's mean stuff so wear some gloves. If the bait has been cured,reheat it with a heat gun,when the powder starts to soften, toss it in the container of brake cleaner. Note:polyester powder will come off easier than epoxy powder. If it was not cured it will come off before a cat can lick his rear end! blades

Wantsome,first off thanks for the nice comments! I really wish I could offer some painting tips but I just am not the guy when it comes to createx. I am in no way knocking createx either.It's just that I have never had satisfying results given my style and techneque of painting. There are many here that can paint rings around me with ctex. If you ever get around to painting with alcohol or lacquer let me know! As for a gill stencil try this: Get a piece of 25 pound paper.(typical of resume' paper) Lay the bait on the paper and trace an outline of the bait Decide where you want to place the gill Take a #1 Colorado Blade and a #2 colorado blade (spinnerbait blade)The same sizes in indianna blades work good as well. Use these blades as a guide to cut the gill out(meaning use them as a guide for the exacto knife) Cut the paper out so that it is slightly larger (in a rectangle) than the bait Figure out a way to mark the paper so you can alighn it properly on the bait. Using the small spinnerbait as a guide will keep your cut out lines crisp. Even though this stencil is paper,it will last a long time before the paint build up causes a problem. For Mylar(sp) stencils: Sharpen the stencil burner tip to a needle point and reapeat the same process.Use the c-blades as a guide for hot stencil cutter tip.Works like a champ. It just takes practice. Good luck! Blades

Wantsome, what type paint are you using? Thanks, Blades

Good God LP what a masterpiece. Furniture grade plywood (looks like mahagany sp) Zoned daylight lighting with independant control. You beat everything bro LOL. Just make damn sure the next picture dont have certain paint containers faced where the writing can be read LOL ! Oh,just send me the drawings in Auto Cad or Solid Works I can take it from there. Hey Bobby,I guess this puts the old vent hood thing to shame huh? Good job LP :!: You the man dude :!: Blades

Action or Color? : : I say first and formost is size-size-size.Oh----- did I say size? There are an infinate number of answers to that question. I mean I hate to analize this one to death but man there is just really no definate answer. I too have some crank baits that have hardly any paint left on them and you could not pay me to paint them.They hunt and I mean they are damn good ones. I used to think that action was 1st then color. Explaination:(actual occurence about 2 weeks ago) You are throwing one of Skeeters deep runners on an 10 foot ledge and it is running off the ledge in 25 feet of water. The fish are butting the bait when it comes off the ledge.Occasionally you have one barley hooked in the lip on the back hook. Solution? Time for a color change. The fish liked the size and am sure they liked the action but they were not really wanting to kill it. I changed up and went to a different color and had to perform surgury on them to get the hook out. I switched to a Tapp lure and stopped getting bites. Ok enough of the on the water stuff.I think the answer is not definate.For every answer there can be debate that argue's one against the other. I think the Size-Action-color deal can be broken down like this. Match bait to size of forage (i am speaking for Bass and Striper fishing here and don't claim to know didly squat about toothie critter fishing) Determine the depth that you would like to fish (remember the rule 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water) If cold water clear water use a bait with a tight action and is quiet. Take in to concideration the clarity of the water and choose your bait pattern accordingly. Too sum it up all the answers listed before my post are the right answers It just depends on many other conditions as well but first and formost I believe size is the key. Now to really confuse the issue: Think color is the last thing on the list? I wont say yes or no because I have no definate proof. There is one color of Shad Rap pictured here below that is already responsible for over $40.000 dollars in Flw tournament winnings this year.When other color #7 Shad Raps were thrown behind it by co-anglers and the angler even changed colors the results were minimal. And by the way the follow up lures were not all custom painted. Some were stock but the custom painted ones kicked the stock baits ass. So was it the color alone? You tell me. I would love to know. Blades

I'm In.I can supply you with the amount of skirt-blades-hardware I purchase monthly or yearly.Would also give you the dollar amount and from which manufacturer-but would rather do this in private. Again, I am interested. I am willing to take a colesr look at this. Blades

Awesome FF dang good to see you are still kicking. Where in South Carolina? Blades

Well, I by god knew it was gonna happen but did not think it would be this quick. Rich Tauber and I have been working on something for a couple of months. We talk via e- mail or phone. A couple of days ago Rich and I were discussing Custom Lure Builders and how all that the major manufacturers have to do is just keep an eye out and keep the hammer pulled back. What i mean is the major manufacturers can shove the R&D people and just sit around and wait on the little man to come up with something. Then, when it hits F-ck the little man!!!! Here is an email Rich sent me today from the Classic Outdoor show. It was in reply to my reply of a question about the chatterbait. He had ask me who i knew that was making it. I told him I knew the guy who makes the original and that I make a knock off of it but do not and would not ever try to sell it because of ethics and how hard I was aware that the guy who made the chatterbait worked to promote it. (and by the way the blade in my private one is not even close to the original chatterbait) Here is his Rich Tauber's reply. And I might add that I realize this is the way it goes. Hell, I been at this a long time and know the deal. But Strike King-Gambler-All their pro staff (including Van Dam) can Kiss my ass right between the friggin cheeks. Blades.

I was wondering,what do you guys and gals think? Question #1 What is your definition of a Custom Lure? Question#2 If someone labels him or herself as a Custom Lure Maker/painter,What do you think this person should offer to the customer?(condusive to the service you render to the customer) I dont care if it is a fly,muskie bait,inline spinner or whatever! And I mean not just an answer like'something you cant get at wall mart" Blades

Thanks you guys, I dont mean to sound like I am bragging on my kid but I got to admit it makes me proud he wants to do something like this with me. It made my day as well Danny!Matter fact my children make my day- everyday.You know, I think the world would stop turning without kids. Blades.

I want you all to meet the future best custom lure guy around. Not to bad for a 4 year old LOL. Training starts early around the Ace In The Hole shop lol.Go to have someone to be successor to my empire LOL. It ain"t lacquer I promise. It is watered down createx. Blades

Red,you can dump all mine if it will help. I have new ones. Blades

Do a damn search deeeewain :-D Just kidding bro :!: Stay with the iwata. Blades

1st class etch! Glad you shared this. Blades

Randy,do you have the Catalogue? If so the answer to your question is in black and white. They also have an 800 number.The are very helpfull at hagens and will answer any question you have. B&B

Sorry to Moderators,Have not been able to upload for a few days. Keep getting errors and know I sized it right. Blades and Baits Bounty Hunter's Some clear water stuff and a firetiger thrown in Enjoy!!!

Ok guys who are gonna be the top 5 finishers at the Classic? I am going with: Jeff Coble David Walker Zell Rowland Marty Stone KVD What say you???????????????????????????????????????????????? Blades

Basstech , sorry for not replying and saying YOU ARE WELCOME! You ain't kidding, I am reminded quite often how small a world it is! A guy from Prosperity (spelling) South Carolina sent me a Rogue in that similar pattern few months ago and asked if I could reproduce the color. I tried to put a little extra "twist" in it to make it mine lol. The one the guy sent me was in really bad shape as well. Sante ain't too far from Prosperity lol.Anyway, thank you very much for the nice compliment!I am glad it was a success for you. Again,I apologize for the slow reply. I guess your post just slipped by me. Blades

zx202guy, there are 16 replies to this thread previous to this one. Of those 16 replies 9 of them were from different members. There was a slight misunderstanding that was "aired" out quickly (like people with un-whacked brians would normally do) and topic resumed. (Qhote) "If you havne't (havn't) noticed,those associated with this industry aren't very bright"(End Quote) Well now, just exactly who are you referring to? Come on now---- it's time for you to put that watershed management degree to work here! Is that remark strickly aimed at ones who replied to this thread? Or are you speaking in general to the enitire membership here? Come on now--- I can take it.It wont be the first time I have been called a dumb A^$. Let me give you a bit of unsolicited advice here> Take a look around here and get an idea of the company you are keeping.Very seldom do you see anyone seperate themself from the crowd here.Be it hobbyiest, or "those associated with this industry"in a more business like way. But with your 5 post since September it is obvious that you have done your research. Good Day Blades

Kathleen,your post was very interesting to me and got my attention.There are many of us here at TU that do run our luremaking as a business. There are many here that do it as a hobby.Other than post a website in a signature it is hard to tell the difference.Were just kind of low key about it because we are here for what the site has to offer and what we can offer each other. I wont disclose here the dollar (????) amount of components my business has purchased in the last 2-1/2 months but lets just say it was enough to build out 2300+ wire baits.And almost all that went out the front door of the shop.After 10 years of doing this I have pretty much whittled my stocking program and what/how/when/who and how many or $$$$$$ I purchase down about as much as possible.Even though I play the game like I should the excise tax deal in my opinion is a load of crap!!!!!! There are times that I just tell the vendor not to use my number and just pay the extra! Personally,I dont give 2 sh?ts what you are anyone else has to gain from developing a program that at the end of the day saves me and anyone else money! If you are anyone else can put something together that fits my needs/saves my company money,and with no decline in service and dependability----- I am all for it. Nathan Invited me to participate in the Tackle Association deal and i have yet to take my procrastinating rear end over there(sorry Nathan but I hope the invitation is still open) I think this idea has merrit but wonder if presenting this to the association might be a good place to start.Just an idea :idea: Blades

Very cool I joined the forum lol.Dont know what the heck I am reading but there is some pretty cool stuff lol. Blades

Welcome Kathleen! (This is quick so the spelling sucks) Man I have been pondering this type set up for years.I would sure love to be involved in something like this. I have given this much thought in the past and a few of the things I will list below always send me back to square one! Please dont get me wrong as I have no idea of the common demominators with your other crafts. These are only a few. The price break at Lakeland for blades is at 1000 and 10,000 quantities The Price break at Skirts Plus- Living Rubber-Rat Trap (all for skirts) is very similar. Although I realize I am not the only one in the Custom Lure business I can only base the following conclusions to fit the lures I commonly build. 1-I use only Premium Blades from Lakeland.Never ever any thing less unless I am powder caoting the blades and then I use Worth Badger quality.BTW Beside Hildebrant Lakeland Premiums are probably the best made (JMO) I use many different sizes of Blades as well.I have to keep enough on hand to build custom orders. 2-I make many skirts that have as many as 4 colors or accents in them. For instance I usually buy at least a thousand skirts in lets say Pearl/Glimmer Blue/Chartrues/Super White/Black and so on.However,I may buy 100(because this is the min)of Hot orange/crystal black flake and they will last me a year because I am only using 3 strands at a time. Hell, there are to many others to mention but my question is how can there be a common denominator between us here and others (regarding the components we use)? I am all for it but man can you immagine how this could be governed? At the moment me and a few other lure builders attempt to pool our orders together at times to help with the min,s.I t doesn't always work out though. The main thing we try to order together is Worth swivels and Skirts(common stuff) Good subject .Maybe someone else has some ideas. BTW,what kind or type lures do you make?Or are you jus interested in setting up this network? Blades

cesport,I talked to Sellers today, he does those baits for Ivan(I think that's the guy's name Dale told me he deals with at the shop) Thank you for the compliment and the considertion(you and Skeeter).It means alot! I would have to decline because Dale is a close personal friend of mine.He and I try not to copy each other if possible.Give Dale a call,262-966-2627 He may tell you he would rather you go through the guy at the shop.It is just good relations when your products are in a shop. The price will be the same as well. Thanks again!And good luck! Blades