kajay920

Even though I am a woodcarver I don't use knives and chisels very much to make a bait. I use a sanding drum on a Dremel or rotary Carver. It's a bit safer but louder and more messy so I prefer it. Travis has a spot on process. On thing might add is rough out lines. After the bait is squared off and center line marked, I add taper lines. On a 3" bait the lure is full thickness at the back of the gill and for maybe another 1/2" back. I mark the gill by tracing my thumb as I hold the front. Usually about 3/4- 1". I then mark the tail about an 1/8" left and right of the centerline. Now draw lines from the full thickness belly to the tail. Do the same method at the front but keep the mouth a little wider, so maybe 3/16" left and right of the centerline. All of these marks are on the back and create the tapered top view.

Thanks jrhopkins. I've tried a similar method without much luck. This looks much easier.

I used and acrylic clear, it may have been Rustoleum, and it worked fine as long as the bait was PVC or pre sealed. If you don't seal the wood first you start getting line ties and bibs popping out. But like Mark, most of my initial paints were rattle cans. Even then they didn't hold up well in salt water.