rjbass

Are you using good hooks....???? I use Gamikatsu EWG hooks and have never had a problem....they are so sharp they go right in the bone of the jaw, rarely lose a fish. Rod

I use the water based paints all the time. The Smith paints (wildlife) are in my opinion the best of the three, but they are all good. Good natural tones since they are used for taxidermy. They are compatible with Createx as I use a combination all the time. Usually do not need thinning and spray very well. Try them. Rod

Actually, the flaps are a hook pocket.....here is the way to rig the super fluke with a 4/0 wide gap worm hook. http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/rjbass/image.jpg Rod

Nice fish and I love the color on your bait....good job. Rod

Welcome, You won't find a better site on the internet......looking forward to seeing your stuff. Rod

Dan, Nice baits....I have good luck with this pattern and the yellow and black also. Rod

You all have seen my jointed baits. If not look at the ones in the gallery. This is what works for me. I form the bait and then cut it on the band saw at the desired length of the split. I put the screw eyes in at this point. I then seal, prime, paint and clear coat each piece individually before I put them together. I use either hand made screw eyes from ss wire or for musky baits .092 stainless screw eyes from stamina. They come out clean looking and always fit. Much easier this way. Rod

Count me in....whatever I can do to help. Rod:yes:

Can you believe it is July 4th already....seems like the fishing season just opened......anyway just wanted to wish everybody a Happy 4th of July. Rod

That is the same video that fatfingers is talking about. It is a good video and website. Rod

Riverman is right....unless you are using balsa, there is no need for through wire anyway....I use screw eyes for all my musky baits and never had one fail yet, and they take 10 seconds.....lol Rod

Clemmy, There is no faster way.......20 seconds, give it a break..... Rod

The Walleye are hummin here right now so I got the urge to build some Walleye style cranks last week. They are 3 3/4", 1/2 oz. out of cedar.The first picture is of the baits, and the next four are my son and myself with some of the better results of the weekend with decent Walleye and bonus Pike and Smallmouth. All caught long line trolling at a bout 2 mph. These particular baits have great action at that speed. The close up of me unhooking the pike shows what they could do to a bait with those teeth (thats why I use Devcon)....all smallmouth were released, walleye and pike were dinner lol.......The silver foil and the craw color were the most productive both days with 20+ fish landed each day. Rod http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/rjbass/IMG_1513-1.jpg http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/rjbass/IMG_1497.jpg http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/rjbass/IMG_1482.jpg http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/rjbass/IMG_1486.jpg

Try medium or light bass green from Wasco (polytranspar taxidermy paints) These colors are right on. Rod

I use hemostats to hold the bait while painting and clearcoating...super strong.... rod

This shouldn't be a problem. I have caught big musky on baits with Stamina stainless steel #3 and #4 heavy split rings (2X). There is no bass that can pull as hard as these fish do. The 3's are 90 lb test and the 4's are 100. They are the best I've used for smaller rings and they will never rust. I use the #5 and #6 3X on larger baits and the pound test on these are 220 and 350. Rod

I think those were called "Antimated Minnows" Here is another one which is a "golden shiner"

Nathan, Here is where I got some of mine....expensive but realistic: http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/subcategory/23/ Rod

Like Riverman said.....I have baits that are over 5 years old and they look as good as the day I made them. I use devcon 2 ton and swear by it. I also know that all rod building epoxy is soft and will not withstand hard fishing like etex or devcon will. They would never withstand catching musky or other toothy critters I have proved that myself time and time again. So, I guess its what you want out of a lure.....If you want one that will look great for the rest of eternity, use rod building epoxy and then don't fish the bait.....lol:lol: Rod