MR KNOW IT ALL KIND OF

Pete, Im very sorry too!! Just read about it.. hate to hear this news. The Rookie

It was melted sugar...fish in the south love sugar!!! It will crystalize on the bait if you heat set it at 350 and let it cool off next to a cow fan.... I find time flys on the lake with a sugar coated crankbait in your mouth. If you have a true talent you can dip skoal and taste the sugar at the same time with out mixin the juice. The Rookie.

I would have enjoyed the movie more with some women in the pool swimming next to your bait.. not trying to be harsh.. just saying.. work on that next time. The Rookie

Try Bulldog Adheasive Promotor on your lead.. than shoot it with Auto Air white base sealer as your primer.. NOW IF IM WRONG!!! dont beat me up.. but I have a hard time getting the paint off my eye screws with a dremmel after I clear coat them.. so my guess is it will stick to your lead.. just a guess.. Im no expert but I did sleep at a holiday inn last night. The Rookie

You can order the foam but its really not foam its resin.. at Alumlites website.. or featherlites website. Smooth on Cast...

Dip them in quickrete and fish! That got that at Lowes! Problem solved.... PETE CAN YOU GET IT!!!!

Where was the show guys.. I grew up in Indiana.. moved to NC in 97.. the only show I knew about in Indy was the Boat Sport and Travel Show at Fair Grounds. The Rookie

Heck Pete!!! I wouldnt waste boiling water on peaches!!! I would save that for lexan!!! I just get out my dremmel and peel the sucker!!! Blaching.... PLEASE!!!

There are other brands of epoxy.. Actually the best epoxy brand I ever used was call BOB SMITH epoxy! 20 min cure.. Not saying its the best clear to use because I rarely use epoxy now to clear my baits.. just on the ones I give to Dean to tick him off!!!! but when i did I loved Bob Smith.. just saying as epoxy goes or if your a epoxy guy you should try Bob Smith.. it goes on very thin... you actually have 20 mins to use it before it hardens up.. I find it at a local Retailer that is only open on Tuesday thur Friday...Model RC Cars Airplanes etc.. He has 60 min cure too.. but I liked the 20..it last way longer in the cup than 30 min Devcon... BOB SMITHS 20 min is really 20 mins!!! Devcon lasts about as long as I do!!!! The Rookie

Nathan.. Im sure this is not the best way.. just a easy way for guys to use something creative without taking time to make something else.. Everyone can find packaging foam lying around.

Styrafoam... Did I spell that Right DEAN!!!! basically I take foam from packaging when I buy a new tv or Blue Ray player.. or whatever you spend your wife's money on.. and I use the left over packaging styrafoam and drill small holes in it.. then I put the tail of my crankbait in the slot and level it off.. take it to the band saw and you can cut a straight lip! Dont know if this has been talked about but I wanted to share this long time ago.. its the winging it way to cutting a lip!

To fin or not to fin.. I go with NO FINS!!! You want the bait to roll a bit.. just my opinion.. doesnt me your wrong or Im right. plus if the fin breaks off then the customer is mad cause the bait broke. and if you carve on fins their is a chance they will break... I have always liked John's Idea.. Johns crankbaits.. with the paint brush style fins.. you get the looks and you dont have to worry about it being damage.. Or you could carve a fin on the side of the bait for looks.. or do what other do and paint them on. The Rookie

sometimes you can take a hair dryer to the bait and get it hot and get the extra epoxy off.. but normally that only works in the first 15 or 20 mins... sometimes even less. You could sand it down and repaint it. but if its not worth much.. I would junk it and start over.. if you made the bait out of wood others might have a better idea on how to get epoxy off.... It also sounds like your using too much epoxy. Remember, thinner is better not thicker. One of the reason I switched to a mositure cure clear coat was so I could spary my baits. But epoxy has it's place for most hobby guys. Dean has lots and lots of experience using Dick Nites with paint brushes. He is the best to ask for this kind of advice. If you still want to use epoxy. Tip. Heat the lure up with a hair dryer first. Then mix your epoxy. It will go on the bait thinner and make it easier to spread. Try and cover the bait good then take the hair dryer to it to get rid of bubbles and remove the extra epoxy on the bait.. You dont want to hurt the action. THINNER IS BETTER!!!! Good luck. The Rookie

John... post them in the Gallery.. I want to check them out.

Mike I will suck it up and look like the Donkey. Im sorry I left you off my stupid list or anyone else that makes outstanding musky baits. I will leave you with a favorite quote I like to read from time to time. "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood: who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." Theodore Roosevelt Your a very talented lurecrafter and a amazing artist! Im sorry for the comment and would like to break bread and end stupid fued. Anyone that makes a bait at all.. Is an artist. Good luck with your baits in the future and I wish you the best. The Rookie

Man. for once even I dont know what to say..... MARK IT DOWN!!! at 2:11am The Rookie was speechless.... Ok that lasted about 3 seconds... Never expected a write up on tackle tour. My buddy called me last week and said get me some baits.. If I can sell some at the show I will get your product in Fishermans warehouse out west.. As far as my foot being in the door... I guess that's great... My biggest problem has always been trying to keep it out of my mouth. My dreams will always been sky high.. and I know I go overboard from time to time...but, my roots will always be grounded to tackle making in a garage! Testing in a cattle drinkin tank and using a squirrel roaster to heat set my baits. Each of you shared a part in the success I have had in with my work. Words can never repay all that helped me out. But if you like I have a special GIFT FOR EACH AND EVERYONE!!!! " A FREE CAN OF SPAM!!!!! Yes that's right... just send me your address and I will ship you out a can of spam. It will come in handy for those late nights in the shop. Maybe you hear a knock at the door at 3am.. OH MY!!! Miss America has a flat tire in front of your shop and she is her too (AS SINBAD USE TO SAY).. PARRRRTAAAY!!!.. no time for PB&J.. you can open SPAM in a JIFFY! no pun intended! Never under estimate the power of the spam can!!! Just send Dean McClain a PM! HE LOVES GETTING EMAIL!!. He is handling all the shipping requests." THANKS!!!!! The Rookie

NOBODY MAKES BETTER MUSKY BAITS THAN FAT TIGGER ROWHUNTER RJ hmmmmm did I leave anyone out!!! NOPE DONT THINK SO.. not off the top of my head..