scrubs

So much for my Microsoft stock. :-) Glad you joined the freeware movement. bill

Thanks for the help Mark. You're probably right about the underspin. Ordered a Duo Realis 80 off ebay just now. bill

Been doing a little googling on spybaits / screwbaits (old name). One site said they were originally made from plastic minnow baits with the lip removed. Wire hook hangars were pulled and screweyes added for the props. Brought up a lot of balsa handmade cranks also but the prices. Saw some bass website were guys were talking about how this is nothing new, major US lure companies were doing this around 1900 -1910 but chunkier. Also saw a youtube video on using them from shore in shallow rocky areas which is what I'm going to do. May try this too but smaller, should be more snag resistant. http://www.ebay.com/itm/181701698806?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT bill

Nice fish Mark! Thanks for the reply. I wonder if the weight helps keep it at a steady depth but I guess I'll need to experiment. bill

I was surprised to see the. sink rate on the Duo so I looked back at yours. I was under the impression that spybaits were slow sinkers but I guess not. Do you think this technique is adaptable to shallower water and a slower sink? bill

Vic, I've seen articles on making beam balances. If you want crude remember a penny is 2.5 grams and a nickel is 5 grams. try this set of links: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=homemade+balance+beam+scale bill

Pete, I use open office for everything, too cheap to line Microsoft's pockets. It's free and it opens it just fine. bill

Thanks Dave both this and the Archimedes Dunk Test are great tools and will make my building easier. Dunk test would probably be easier for ballasting floater/diver lures. bill

Ok, sounds like I'm all set for some building. bill

Ok let's assume I want to make some flat sided balsa cranks around 2 to 2 1/4 inches. How thick would you recommend to start experimenting? I have found very little on the web in the way of specifics, only a pattern and great instructions for a 2 1/2" from Paul Adams. It's 2 1/2" long with 1/2 balsa used. But then again I have some 1 1/4" basswood blanks from Whittler that are 1/2". Not too many anymore. :-) Another question, is the belly weight hangar a spot to start with ballast placement? bill

Some good nuggets here for this tyro. More thanks guys. bill

Man I wish I could have a bench like that Vic but we're moving so I have to keep things too clean. bill

Thanks guys. You've confirmed my assumptions. bill

Ok now that I know uranium is the way to go with my crankbait weighting another question? What is the difference in wobble between flat sides and round in crank action? I'm looking to make some for shallow SM bass. Two different types, Mann Baby -1 0-1ft and Bagley Honey B 0-4ft depth. Templates for round sides, yes? bill

Probably 3-5 on average but half are usually balsa model airplanes. :-) bill

Thanks, I think I'll go that route. bill

Yup, I'm sure you guys are right on the can't be ingested thing. Matter of choice I guess. bill

That be me Jdeee. bill

So now that more states are banning lead what are you using for weighting cranks? I was looking at doing one with a brass hook hangar weight but drilling brass etc turned me off. I'm thinking of trying Water Gremlin Eco Steel barrel weights. bill

Began fishing for channels last year here in NM. Pay to fish cats will hit anything. In the rivers they seem to want natural stuff like liver, cut bait etc. Back in Wisconsin I used to get a lot of channels in the river with homemade Mepps spinners. But as many times as I've tried never had any luck with hardware here. bill

Picked up a couple of the smallest Surface Tensions to try, sink like a stone. But it's supposed to be the shape that keeps em on the surface. bill