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I buy my blades and swivels from worth co and the reg premium blades thump great in my baits. The thicker blades might thump harder, But I feel there is no need for more. The heavier the blades makes for rolling spinnerbait if you don't size down sometimes. The twisted eyes won't break at the "R", But your line will get pinched and break baits and fish off too. I catch just as many fish as anyone I fish against using the thicker blades/hildebrant.

All E-tex epoxies are non solvent based, Unlike most others. No worries using in your house.

I use 14lb mono... The problem is everytime we catch a good one, The wire gets stratened out. When you bend it back into shape it fatigues. Just like bending a coat hanger back and forth. The thin wire will not take this abuse near as long as the thicker wire. Once the wire breaks, you loose all the hard work of buying components,pouring,priming,painting, clearcoating,tying,blade and swiveling, and trailer hooking. So I try and build a bait that will catch as many fish as possible before it's junk. I guess you could always make a loop at the head and use it as a jig for a while.

We catch 100 smallmouth a day here and need something better than just using 100's of spinnerbaits. We break R bends on .041 wire alot here... I wish I could use .051 wire. I have been a tournament fisherman for 28 years. This is just my experience as well as everyone else I know. Better go see where some of the best smallmouth and musky fishing in the world are. 7 mph current too..

I have been making spinnerbaits for 25 years and owned a lure company for almost the same. I have tried many different combos. Many will over blade their baits for viberation and results in rolling. Arm length,blade size, type, and head weight proportion is key to a good running spinnerbait. Even my 1/8 oz spinnerbaits have .041 wire. I actually will not throw a bait here in the land of the great lakes smallmouth with thin wire. Too much riding on a gimmick of more bites with thin wire.

I personally like the thicker frames. This makes the blade make full rotation and "shake" the whole bait and skirt. The thin wire soaks up lots of the viberation and produces less I believe. Using good BB swivels also helps you feel the bait. Deep cup blades also rotate in a tighter circle and produce less thump. Not to mention that our smallmouth will break the wire at the "R" and heavy wire will get more to the boat.

Size 12, Yes... Mustad 32756 Aberdeen Jig Hooks Mustad 32755 Gold Aberdeen Jig Hooks Mustad 32755 Aberdeen jig hooks, bulk jig hooks Mustad 32756 Aberdeen jig hooks, bulk jig hooks Not sure where you can get the smaller sizes.

I use staminainc, barlows, jannsnetcraft, worth, hagens and lakeland... Look here Lakeland Incorporated: Spinner Blades, Casting Spoons, Fishing Tackle Components http://www.worthco.com/fish/ http://www.hagensfish.com/ http://www.staminainc.com/ http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/ http://www.barlowstackle.com/fishing-tackle-store.html

Skip the e-mail and just call them. I prefer the more personal method. Very nice people there.

Stick to stainless steel.

This method allows me to paint, turn with ease, then clearcoat and stick it on the drying wheel w/o ever having to touch the bait.

Even when mixed perfectly, The e-tex products have different hardness's. Their web site even shows the differences, But I called E-Tex and comfirmed my post a very long time ago.

I have been wanting to try EX-74 (UV) but I don't think it gets as hard and only offered in gallon sizes.

Etex has many different products. I use crystal sheen and it is their hardest finish. The Easy cast is the next in line if I remember right. Environmental Technology Inc. Environmental Technology Inc.

I use Xacto blade handles with velcro on the handle. Works well for me. orry for the bad pic.

This might help Picture posting / Various Instructions: Help with Boards/Posting/Videos, etc.: BBC Boards

Use photobucket and edit them there before you use the link they provide. I'm on many message boards and has worked for me for years. This is where most host their pics.

My poison tail mold model PTJ-3-AFS has 3 sizes 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8 oz. And they all have different size eye cavities. 4mm will fit in the 3/8. I assume 2.5mm is the 1/8 oz. I hope this helps.

Your loose skirt days will be over when tied with wire. No need to fix any. Most guys that make their own baits have more than they need, Thus not needing to trade skirts.

You are absolutly correct... The fish won't care if you use a zip tie. Most of the custom tackle makers here or anywhere like to be proud to show off their baits. This is where it counts most. The wire tied bait looks better in the water with more action from being poofed out more like a ball instead of skirt going forward and backwards. I dont see how a person can pour,clean,prime,paint,clear, and then use a zip tie to finish it off. It's the lil' extra that makes them better than store bought baits.

Maybe I'll make two 1.5-2 inch topwaters and string them together. Nothing like catching two smallmouth at a time. The schooling and competition smallies get real agressive in a feeding frenzy! SaaaaaaaWeeet.

I tried it and to have a workable wire, SS has to be real thin and cuts the skirt material. I have not found a better wire than coated copper.

I use the "beadery" copper craft wire. Comes in tons of colors and works great. Use 24 gauge as the lightest and 20 as the heaviest. 22 gauge is perfect for a starter but is harder to find sometimes. I use 24, but I have tied many of thousands and know the feel, pull and twist needed w/o breaking off. When you really get into it, You need to try a pair of these. (6 in Manual return only) They are awesome. The key is to only wrap the wire 2 times around and use the pulling motion to tighten. Do not use the twisting to tighten. I hope this helps... http://www.aircraftspruce.com/...s.php The $48.30 are the ones you want

These guys rave about this ones quiet power and small size.. Makita "Hot Dog" Air Compressor 2 HP, Model# MAC700 | 3 - 10 CFM | Northern Tool + Equipment Click on "reviews" PS... I know it's more money... Decisions, decisions

The more the better, Just like horsepower on a boat. It will run less often and fill faster. This allows you to use it for home uses as well.