IamSpartacus

Im not sure about those companies, but you can buy some lure blanks from staminainc.com and several other companies. Ive always gone through them though, good stuff.

I buy poplar dowels and such from Lowes. Lots of people have deals getting scraps from lumber mills, my roommate and I got a bunch of different stuff from a shop teacher. Usually the size wood you need to make lures is way too small for most other things, so people literally will give it away. Mike

Yeah I was curious if anyone knows how much weight a female of that size would drop after laying her eggs? Seems like it would be a relatively decent amount. Tell your son good luck from me(not that he has any clue who I am or even that I exist). Mike

I can't be a lot of help here, as I haven't made a swimbait and am relatively new to the whole game as well, but try using the search feature. Up at the top right corner of your screen, you should find lots of information on the numerous topics you mentioned. If you can't find something more specific ask it, I'm sure someone here knows. Good luck! It'll start as a school project (or in my case a bet) and end as an addiction. Welcome to the support group. Mike

Very nice! I really like the jitterbug.

Best clip ever. Bill Dance is my hero too. Simple as that. Mike

Can't give you any advice on Indiana, but I fish almost exclusively in creeks for smallmouths. One of the most effective and overlooked baits I've used for smallmouths is the shallow shad rap. I can't say for sure the size (I think a 6) but the bluegill pattern and perch pattern both work great here. Awesome baits for bouncing along rocky bottoms trying to trigger strikes. Hope it helps! Mike

Thanks for all the kind words guys! The fish definitely made up for the time and money I have poured into this hobby. I just can't wait for all the seasons to open up. Thanks again Mike

And the pictures did not post... And I cannot get them to work... Here are the links if your interested! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/IamSparticus/100_1221.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/IamSparticus/100_1223.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/IamSparticus/100_1224.jpg

I finally caught my first fish (along with my second and third) on one of my homemade hardbaits. Among the three was my personal best largemouth at 5# 6oz. Although I'm a cocky person by nature I will grudgingly point out that my success was due in part, well in large part, to all the advice and knowledge coming from you guys. Thanks a lot for all your help! Heres some pictures. Mike (The fish were caught in order of size smallest to largest)

I don't know about your question as I've never poured a bait in my life, but that bass is nice! Even if it wasn't on your own bait it would be impressive. Good Work Mike

Just got my catalog from them, very nice! Awesome idea and one more reason to love TU. Thanks TU and Hagens Mike

Nice job on catching a fish on your first bait! I hooked one before first ice, but one of the hooks snapped off the treble I had taken form my grandpa's tacklebox. Oh well, the waters almost soft again and I'll be trying it soon. As far as color goes, the only thing anybody needs to do to prove its important is try ice fishing. There have been days where I have tried every color besides the color my friend is catching stuff on and not gotten a single bite. The minute I give in and switch to that color (its usually pink) I start getting bites. Im sure a lot of it is for the fisherman's benefit, but I know I wouldn't trade any of the bluegill or firetiger cranks in my box for anything brown or black.

Yeah, I don't think so either. But I am pretty sure my girlfriend might try slipping some of it in my drinks:lol: Mike

Very nice... And I know it must be killing you to be living in grand rapids where the water is still hard, because it sure is killing me. How does that puppy swim?

Let's just assume I'm going to get shutdown for this, but I've found (so far) that as long as they look relatively close to the same amounts they cure well. With that said I always watch when they're coming out and make sure that there appears to be the same amount coming from both tubes. If you mix it on the bottom of a pop can instead of a small cup you can also compare the two separate piles before mixing. Hope this helps! If I'm completely off-base somebody correct me for justwannafish and my sake's. Mike

So I just finished a lure I'd been working on off and on for over two months. My girlfriend asked me if I'd make her one. I was excited and asked her if she'd use it. She said "No, but it's pretty." Little disheartened, but I guess its a start and she did promise to go fishing with me three times this summer. No complaints here.

Try taking them outside, natural light always seems to help. You also need a real steady base for your camera, I know my hands aren't steady enough.

Yahoo just randomly stopped sorting this into bulk. Does that mean the feud is over? Yay!?