Cuttem Jack

I, as well hit the water today for the first time. Didn't even have a follow. My buddy on the other hand caught three. A 33, 38 and 40 incher. Good news though, my feet held up pretty well. Hoping to get out this weekend as well. Good luck the rest of the week.

Here is a video of Paul's win. I'm not sure but the color you're lookinig for may be on the video. ESPN - Bassmaster.com: Exclusive video of Elias' record

Where are the pics? I'm glad they came through for ya!

Smitty, Nice looking lures. Yep, they would catch pike, for sure!

Thanks for the tips, I appreciate it. I know it would of been easier to clean while epoxy hasn't set, but I don't always have the time to sit there and watch them.

Okay guys, I'm having problems with epoxy getting on the middle eye screw when epoxying lures. I used a wire in my drill to drill it out, but took a big chunk out of the epoxy on one lure when doing so. Do you have any solution to keep it out while epoxying? I've though of sticking a ziptie in there while putting the epoxy on, but thought there must be an easier way.

I have a question for all you painting artists out there. I've just started airbrushing and when it comes to painting lures, I'm pretty much grabbing and spraying as I go. Do ya'll have everything lined up so you can go down the line with the paint so to speak with a color in mind, or do you make it up as you go? It seems to me that I'll get half way done with a lure and forget something that I wanted or needed to do beforehand. Do you keep a color workbook, so to speak with all the colors needed for a certain lure pattern? I'm thinking that I need to spend more time beforehand with a specific pattern in mind, but I'm so new to this that I don't really have a clue. Any tips to help a newbie out?

Nice looking baits!

Brian, You did a very good job on that rod. Completing one from start to finish will be no problem for you.

Thanks for the info. I'm planning on making musky sized lures up to 10 inches long. I've used a lathe when I was in high school making the basics. Bowl, baseball bat and furniture legs, etc. That was awhile ago and just wanted to make sure I got the right chisels for lurebuilding. Thanks again!

I just got a lathe for my birthday and do not know which chisels would be best for lure making. I've tried the search function, but came up empty. Can anyone help me out on which ones I should buy? Thanks!

Borderbasser, Here's your pic you had to your original post. Hope you don't mind me posting it for you.

Smitty, Very nice, I really like that second one.

Here is a useful link to help you with making a split grip. Hope this helps! http://www.georgescustomrods.com/split_your_grip.htm

Has something changed over the last couple of days on this website? I used to be able to preview a post without clicking on it and now it doesn't show anything. What happened?

I've never had one pull out, but I did have one come out about halfway and bend from a small 38 incher. I talked to the builder about it and it was not epoxied in. I epoxied them all in that night and haven't had a problem with them since.

Pa-Angler, Welcome to Tu. If you go to the member submitted tutorials, you'll see how I build my bucktails with flashabou. Hope it helps. I make mine out of .051 diameter wire.

UPDATE: yesterday I went to see the doctors. They removed my splint off of my left foot and put it in a cast. The doctor took x-rays of both feet and said they're looking good. I have an appointment on the 3rd of April to get the stitches and staples out of both feet and then they're going to put pressure bandages on to try and remove all the swelling. My feet are killing me today from all the riding around and sitting in my wheelchair waiting to see the doctor. Today, all I did was lay around and sleep. Hopefully tomorrow will be much better!

PDF File Attached This is how I build my bucktails. The first picture is the tools that I use. I got a pair of round nose pliers, needle nose, vice grips, flashabou beads and blades. I first put on the 7/0 treble with four wraps and heat shrink it on. I then use a 1/4 ounce egg sinker for extra weight. These are two coils that the flashabou will be tied to. I use a throttle cable assembly that I buy at lowe's, pull out the cable and use the housing. I usually cut between 3/4 to an inch long. If you plan on making these, I highly recommend using this type of flashabou. It is thicker and holds its shape much better. The one I'm building here is regular flashabou and I make this a little different. I'll explain in a bit. In this step, I'm tying the flashabou to the coil. I use an allen wrench to hold the coil on my vice. On the first coil, I usually try to tie it even. I usually use around 1/2 to 2/3 of the flashabou. On the fly fiber, I'll use the whole thing. When tying the second coil, I try to tie 1/3 of regular flashabou on top, fly fiber is in middle. The regular flashabou is too flimsy to tie in middle and seems to get hung up too much in the middle treble. Tying 1/3 on top helps too keep from tangling. I use hard as nails on the thread and then zip tie the coils for extra strength. Here I slid the first coil onto the wire. I then use a piece of surgical tubing, 1 inch to seperate the second coil from the first. Both coils on the wire. I then put one 1/4 inch bead on, then my two split rings for the second treble, then two more 1/4 inch beads. Don't place second treble on until last step! Unless you want to hook yourself!! I then place lure body on, then 1 1/4inch bead, then 4 7/32 beads. I then put on the clevis's with the blades attached. I interwine them as shown in the photos. One more 7/32 bead and then I make my loop. Then, I cut the end of the flashabou to the back end of the hook. The last step is placing the treble on. I usually use a 5/0 or another 7/0 hook. I use .051 diameter wire. Some use .062 but I think it's too hard to bend and really not needed. If you have never made a round loop with wire before, it helps to buy some thinner wire( jerkbait leaders) and practice!! It's much easier to learn with thinner wire and you don't mess up your good bucktail wires. Also, if a fish does bend it, cut it and add the parts to another wire. I keep extras in the boat with me and can put it back together in less than ten minutes. Good luck and I hoped this helps! If you make some, post them up!! Flashabou Musky Bucktails.pdf Flashabou Musky Bucktails.pdf Flashabou Musky Bucktails.pdf Flashabou Musky Bucktails.pdf Flashabou Musky Bucktails.pdf Flashabou Musky Bucktails.pdf Flashabou Musky Bucktails.pdf Flashabou Musky Bucktails.pdf Flashabou Musky Bucktails.pdf

I just thought I'd post a report of my week. Last saturday while working I was involved in an auto accident. I slid on some ice and lost control of my car and hit a tree head on. I had to be extricated from the car by the fire department and then off to the hospital I went. Long story short, I had two surguries on both feet and have a broken arm. No weight bearing at all on my feet for the next three months. I got a rod and 4 screws in my right foot and wires in my left toes and three screws in my left foot. I won't be doing any fishing this summer and probably no hunting this year either. My family could use some prayers for having to help me with everything.

Here's a picture of them that I got from another site. I haven't seen them for sale anywhere or what they will cost. http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd319/muskellunged/midwestmuskyclub/Fastach.jpg

Here's a link to a video for the new staylok snaps that are supposed to be even nicer. I haven't tried them yet, but everyone that has said they are nice. http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=778

I also use the same ball bearing swivels, but I use the stay-lok snaps.

Did you try Moore's tackle? He's on vacation now but should be back soon. http://www.mooreslures.com/Catalog0809.pdf page 12, 18 cents each.

Cut me a little slack, it's my first attempt. I've read that the epoxy will help smooth everything out.