cotton

I saw some weagles on ebay, pretty expensive; they are new to me...what makes them so special?

What do you clean your brushes with?

This is a question, not a comment since I have little experience with cranks...wouldn't a fluorocarbon (or a psuedo fluorocarbon like Berkley Vanish) work well cause it sinks? I tried some Berkely Vanish and it does sink...which isn't good for some applications but might allow a crank to go deeper. Just curious. Kevin

Okay, the cloudiness is clearing up...so, it used to be true that you could make a patented lure for your own use if you didn't sell the lure...can you tell me when did the law change and why (thanks for your patience)? Kevin

ccroom, do a TU Search or go through the previous posts on softbaits ...I believe most of these questions have been addressed; that's what I did and it was quick and informative! Kevin

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14ewb3ap.b147fdut&Uy=nyvoby&Ux=1 I hope this works...I don't usually send stuff like this out, but thought it was important to present a different perspective than the networks were providing... Kevin

just wanted to make it clear that I wasn't the one who said it was okay to make patented copies for personal use... what I was asking is how do we know that every time we make a lure (that isn't a direct copy of a lure that's well known and now off patent) we're not violating someone's patent? I mean, if we are trying to be creative, and make something new (which I don't really believe can happen, but for the sake of argument I'll agree with) how do we not know that we're infringing on a patent unknowingly? Finally, how did the myth that you can make stuff for your own use as long as you don't sell them get started? Thanks, Kevin

Great posts! sure would like to have cross sections of Yo-zuri's...

HEY! I represent that remark!

Dave V...and anyone else new to pouring...check out the m-f manufacturing post...free pint of plastic to new customers! Just pay the shipping...Great deal!!!

Called M-F and got my free plastic on its way!!! Thanks!!! Kevin

Got 3 younguns 10, 6 and 4; we fish every Sunday; there first question on Monday is "Daddy where we going fishing this Sunday?" Their mother loves it, she gets the day off ! The most frustrating thing is, you're basically babysitting and you're not gonna get much fishing in yourself...on the other hand when they catch a fish, its a monumental event! On the other note, will a microwave melt down old plastics (never tried it myself)?

I'd like to see some info on what's legal to make without violating a patent. I think that would be pertinant info since most of us that are making lures are never going to apply for a patent, yet don't want to get into hot water over making something that might be patented...

Beautiful baits and great fish! Don't be too upset with your partner; its when you stop getting excited that you need to worry.... Kevin

Musky fisherman sometimes use a heavy styrofoam cooler...stick the hook in the top and let the lure hang in the box. I use 5 gallon buckets and cut slots in the top (cause styrofoam don't last) for my saltwater lures on the pier...same principle though. If they're small lures use a "spinnerbait" box with slots, just hang the treble in the slot.

I will be wanting to try some for the swimbaits I hope to make someday assuming I get the time!

Thanks for the tip!

Dink, my advice is do a "skeeter" search and read all his posts; I went back through hardbaits forum, and its amazing how much work he's done AND how much of this he's passed on. I don't have a chance to fish much, or work on lures (wife, 3 kids, job) so probably won't get to use much of the advice or even ideas I have. But its great to read from the guys that do! Oh and you probably need to build a swimming/testing pool in your backyard.... Kevin

I have the same problem...try ebay, also tacklewharehouse.com; there are some good tips on swimbaits on Calfishing.com (the site that led me here!). Also, might try what I'm going to do and make your own... Kevin

I would be foaming at the mouth to fish this pond!!! Stocked trout! THROW THE TROUT SWIMBAITS!!! Either get a Castaic bait or a Huddleston or both! Man, if I had a pond like this around, I would be throwin a trout swimbait till my arm fell off... If you're into books on the subject, I suggest reading Bill Siemental's book Big Bass Zone. It covers lures and target areas. Looking at the map, is that an island (in black) near the deep water (sort of at the bottom as it appears on the page). If so, I would definately target it, trout should be in the deep water, and bass will push them up against the island bank to feed. Also target points, such as the one at the top of the map. Finally, INVITE ME UP TO FISH! Seriously, this pond spells MONSTER BASS! Just my two cents. Kevin

The old Spence Scout had one affixed to it, as did the Arbogast Hula Dancer. I caught lots of fish on the scout.

Fantastic find! Thanks, Nathan!

we can use bluegill here as long as they're caught on hook and line. I see your point about live bait, my problem is 1. catching shiners big enough and 2. being able to control them. I like the hitch colors, and the gold ayu's; those trout baits, while being very lifelike, don't imitate a shiner as well as I'd like...they're a little wider. I don't know if that makes any difference to a bass on this side of the Mississippi, but they see alot of shiners and no trout. I think I'm going to pursue a shiner bait that will "match the hatch" a little better, as it were.

just looking at all the swimbait choices, I noticed a curious lack of detailed shiners...since huge bass, stocked trout, and California all go together, its not surprising at all the detailed trout baits. But Castaic makes or made shad baits (both threadfin and gizzard), and sunfish in two sizes and a small crappie. Mr. Matt makes tru to life sunfishes in 4 species and bass in 4 species. Its just strange to me that shiners (now I'm talking detailed look alike baits, not just trouts colored differently) weren't ever done. Are shiners just not a very good bait in California?

The Ayu color looks kind of close to a golden shiner, (castaic also makes one, but I don't like their golden shiner color). Those baits don't mimic a shiner as well as I would like; I am going to make my own and concentrate strictly on golden shiner swimbaits. 'Course I aint gonna sell them (assuming they'd be worth selling; Matt if I made baits as good as yours look I don't think I could part with them! Along those lines, I am surprised that the shiner is down on your 'to do' list; what five species (that you haven't already put in production) could be better than a shiner (if this is confidential info, I understand) just curious... Kevin