Not doubting what you've heard but hard to imagine pealing under an epoxy coat. Maybe a concrete sealer dipped? I think they look amazing and appear to take as much if not more talent to get it right than just practicing your painting skills.
I am just a novice but your master can be pretty much carved out of anything or a crankbait you wanted to modify to your liking. Even a $1 store rubber fish you cut your lip slot into. The micro balloon ratio and weight placement/lip size you choose will change everything.This was more of a crash course for myself on the overall process and challenges I could face in the future.
I'm fond of the gills/sunfish and trout patterns. I think they're the perfect balance of contrast & realism. Though I must admit I fish some pretty funky patterns trolling for walleye on Erie that still amaze me today that they work
Thanks Ben. I actually used some oversized eyes and set them a little further back than what's "normal" just to get a different look than the first one I did. We'll see what the fish think.