saltshaker

Yeah, especially considering it was a $5 lure.

These Arashi eyes are specific to that lure. Saving them is critical, otherwise, you find yourself plugging the eye socket to use a round one. I just paint over those eyes and then clean the paint off before clear coating using a wet Q-tip. Works for me.

Pretty much all of 'em are made in China, but, I wouldn't count on all of them being the same. I'd buy from a reputable supplier. My $.02

CustomBaits4You, Yes, I remember that lure. The morning of the day it ended the price was at $30. After lunch it was over $50 and I thought..."NUTS"!! I stopped selling on Ebay because they seem to care more for the buyers than the sellers. I had a couple non-paying bidders that I reported and they did nothing to 'em. Plus...the fees are outrageous.

"Color does not matter until it does!" So true.

LOL @ JBlaze. Mark's done got somethin' started now.

Until we see a time that a bass will not touch an unpainted blank...I think we'll all be just fine. Fortunately, I don't think that day will ever come.

I remember buying an airbrush and sitting in my shop with the brush in one hand and a pic of one of Hughesy's lures in the other...thinking......there is NO way!!!!

The 110 is painted foil...no image.

Here's a few.

Fox, I'm not firing on you, either. I was merely comparing Hughesy's work to mine...if I didn't do imaging. That's why I said I'd love to do "basic". His patterns might be "basic" in that they're bluegill, shad, etc...as everyone else. But, so are mine. His ability, on the other hand, is much more than "basic", IMO...compared to mine. I use imaging to make up for my lack of artistic ability and creativity. While what I do is in no way easy....it is easier for me. And, people love 'em...as they do Hughesy's. I do find, however, that my work is not often welcomed by other painters. Can't help that. Nothing personal.

In reference to the OP....I used to compete in turkey calling contests across the Deep South. It's much different calling for judges and actually trying to entice an old wary gobbler. The competition calling has to be sweet, seductive and with near-perfect rhythm. A live hen turkey couldn't carry a tune in a bucket and, frankly, that gobbler couldn't care less. It's kinda the same way painting fishing lures for selling. My skills wouldn't have to be honed that much if I were selling my lures to a bass. But, with fishermen, they have to be pretty and something that they think will catch a fish. Until this changes I will continue to do my lures the same as I've been doing them.

LOL! If Hughesy's patterns are "basic"...I wish I could do "basic".

I shoot without the cap until I get ready to clean the gun.

Placed an order last night. New site looks great, Jake. Wishing you continued success.

Your 'pressor will do just fine. I had a 30 gal when I started and it works like a charm. Just dial it down to whatever you need/want.

Although I appreciate the offer, this isn't about swappin'. I want you to use, abuse the lure and let me know when anything starts "peeling off". If that is happening to my work...I really need to know because, until now, the worst thing I've heard is that an eye came off.

sonoman, if you'll PM your mailing addy to me I'll send you a lure...free of charge. I need someone to put it thru the paces.

"Intended for intermediate or experienced craftsmen". Well, this excludes me. I'd love to watch a vid with V'man or our resident German friend operating this thing. Hey Dave...why don't ya buy one and let us watch?

I don't build lures, but, I repaint and sell approximately 100 lures per month on ebay and another 25 or so each month via FaceBook. While I don't consider it a "business"....it sure keeps my butt busy at times. It's fun, tho.

"Decide how much you want to pay yourself." This shouldn't be too hard to figger. Anything left over (if any) after all deductions are met......is yours. This amount comes in two colors................red and black.

I can't help ya with this one cause, frankly, I thought Etex was fool-proof.

Getting a clean tape line is simply a matter of patience and just a little more time. No real art to it...that I can tell. Sure does make a lure look more professional, IMO. Some painters tape straight across the nose of the lure and paint the miter cut on the lip....instead of leaving it clear. Why? Because it's easier, I reckon.

When I first get a quart of KBS, I empty the can into half-pint jars. Make sure to fill the jars all the way because the less void you have...the less room for air. I use the small jars because they are still plenty deep enough to dip cranks and, for jerkbaits and topwaters, I dip head first then hang from the tail and dip the rest. Works like a charm and my stuff lasts much longer. I don't see that tapping the can will get any more use for me. I normally use it up before it starts to get stiff. Ordering KBS is nowhere near the nightmare that DN used to be. Shipping usually takes 2-3 days.

Nathan, I dip it mostly, but, have brushed quite a bit, too. Really no need to spray this stuff since it's so easy to dip. I talked with the rep this AM and he told me that if you open the container every day....it will form a "skin" within 3-4 months. He said this will vary with temperature and humidity. I keep my jars in a room that is 73-75 degrees 24/7. Maybe this is the reason I don't have any storage issues. But, I don't open the jar every day, either. The stuff is soooo easy to use and works great with glitter. I brush on the glitter, then, dip it twice afterwards. I usually only put glitter on the back of the lure. The rep also told me that, in the event that the KBS did start to thicken with age.....it can be thinned by "20%" and it's good to go. They recommend only one thinner for the KBS. They call it "No. 1". I bought a quart when I first started using KBS and am still using it. I've prolly ordered the clear about 4-5 times. A great product............just my .02.