rjbass

Travis, I like your baits alot.....good work on the lips and paint! Rod

I also pay 1.97 at Walmart....you can't get it cheaper than that......not in the syringes! Rod

Husky, I thought I remember a statement from a moderator that said not to put up the pictures on the forum because they take up too much space so that is why I put up the link.....if it is ok to do the full pictures I will do it that way from now on....thanks. Rod

Musky Stalker, It is mesh underneath the foil to give it the different patterns. I have to give the credit to Fatfingers for showing the technique. I believe there is a tutorial on the subject. Rod

lowfi, Once you print what you want on the paper, you spray it with clear krylon gloss 2 to 3 coats and let dry an hour or so. Then cut out the logo or whatever and soak it in water just like any decal, and after about 15 seconds, slide it off the backing and onto your bait, press with paper towel to extract water and let dry. It will be seamless when you apply top coat. It will not yellow, it will stay whatever color you printed on your computer. Real easy to do..... Rod

Here are a couple more foil ideas on cedar cranks.... http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/rjbass/IMG_1416-1.jpg Rod

I use ink jet water slide decal paper, print my logo from my computer in any size I want and transfer it to my bait before clear coat never runs or smears and presents a professional touch. You can do a signature if you want or any type of logo or anything for that matter..... Rod

Just had to show you guys my personal best smallmouth from today....22" 5.4 lbs, caught on one of my own cedar cranks......Fish was released as was 9 others..... Rod

Great idea with the rattles....that should be an outstanding bait. I do the same prep work before painting...great minds think alike. Rod

Let me clear this up.....no pun intended...... Createx paints are great, I use them all the time. Yes heat setting will adhere the paint, but Createx gloss top coat will not stand up to what actual fishing puts a lure through....trust me on this. Rod

If you are talking about Createx gloss top coat, it is fine for clearing your bait to protect your paint before final clear coat, but it will not stand up alone to fishing abuse. You need something much tougher. Epoxy (Devcon 2 ton), etex, new lustre, crystal sheen or dick nites.....these are your best choices. Rod

doomdart, Actually it is from my wrist and it is the velcro strap that holds my Minn Kota Copilot Remote steering device.....it is easier to use it from my wrist. Rod....

Thought I would show you some results from the winter's bait making.....My son and I caught and released over a dozen smallmouth today all caught on our cedar crankbaits "Iva Biggen" style.... http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/rjbass/IMG_1446.jpg http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/rjbass/IMG_1442.jpg http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/rjbass/IMG_1446.jpg Hope you enjoy, Rod

Use the search feature and look up "making screw eyes". There is alot of information there that could help you make up your mind. My choice for musky baits is .092 stainless steel screw eyes, for everything else I make my own out of stainless steel safety wire which is easy to get anywhere. I epoxy everything in and the bait will break before the screw eye comes out. Rod

jrhopkins, Here is a link to the gold and silver foil: http://www.sunshineglass.com/rcol/i-proj/mosaic-access-vent.htm Here is a source for copper foil tape: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Supplies:_Shielding/Conductive_Copper_Tape.html

Fatfingers, They are about 1 inch....kind of long, but you can grind them on the belt sander to take them down a little. If I am putting them in a 3/4" to 1" wide bait I put them in at an angle. I usually use two rattles per bait. I had to experiment with the weight of the gliders because the rattles did affect the action until I reweighted them. They don't affect the action of my trolling baits at all and they are pretty loud. When I have my baits next to the boat and am trolling 3.5 to 5 mph you can here them under the water. Obviously they are not going to be as loud as a plastic bait with a rattle chamber built in, but they aren't bad. Rod

Fatfingers, I put rattles in many of my Musky baits and have used many different kinds. These are the loudest that are out there right now IMHO. I can't get the link up from ebay, but punch in P&P Super Magnum Worm Rattles. I put them cross ways in trolling baits and gliders and they work well. Rod

good one Jed....lol

Have you tried a sponge? I have seen crappie patterns done with a sponge and they come out nice. You could also make a stencil with mylar by tracing this pattern and cutting it out. Rod

Dean, I understand that for sealing balsa. I think that it would have negative results for top coating for hardness, but maybe the M.E.K. as blackjack says doesn't hurt it. I know that denatured alcohol effects the hardness of the devcon finish. Rod

Doomdart, Why are you thinning the devcon?? You really don't need to. Rod