llokkii

So far, I've only used Createx/Wicked paints. Still getting all the colors I want, but for me, the colors I use the most often right now are black, yellow, red, orange, transparent yellow, transparent blue, all their flourescent colors, white and green. ( I live in walleye country so the colors I use are a bit different. I guess I have used some silver and gold, but its more of a paint brush application type paint as I haven't been able to successfully get it to flow through my airbrush without thinning it to the point of being pretty diluted.

Thanks! Looks a lot like I imagined. Now to find me some!

This flexible foam sounds like something I have been looking for. Links please!

I haven't tried that method (picture frame) yet, but I've seen it. Definitely something I want to try as I think it will give me some better finished stencils.

I use PETG thermoplastic. I made a cheap vacuum sealer out of a 5 gallon bucket and a shop vac. Heat the plastic up with a heat gun gently and flip on the vacuum. Works pretty decent. The PETG plastic can be picked up off of ebay. I use the .030 thickness, but it is a bit tougher to cut than a .020, but it should last longer. It can be pricey so shop around on ebay. There are plenty of sellers on there.

I've been looking as well. So far I haven't come across anything cheaper but I haven't given up yet. If I find anything I'll let you know.

No problem. Glad I could help a little bit.

I came across this website a while back. Might have to look into it. I think they have husky jerks they've x-rayed. Hope it has the info you are looking for. http://thebassman.tripod.com/Rap-Info-22.html

Hmm...I've actually had some really good luck with the feathered trailer hooks. Not consistent mind you, but often enough to make sure I keep a few lures with them attached. Thinking back to the last few times I really had good luck with them, it seems to me it may have been in post frontal conditions, so maybe the lure dampening action is a positive after a cold front? Just a theory. Gonna have to keep my eyes open and buckle down and take some notes.

Welcome!!!

Thanks. I can slip them in and out as needed. Can't remember offhand what size of drillbit I used, but it provides a tight fit and is handy if I need to dry some bigger baits. Sometimes I turn them the other way to get a different angle on the topcoat. If the holes for the alligator clips gets worn, a piece of tape around the base of the clip usually fixes it LOL.

That looks pretty darn good rhersh. Think I might have to lift that PVC design and use it on mine when I start turning bigger lures

Here is the one I made in about 20 minutes. Nothing fancy. Just used some spare lumber and a BBQ rotisserie. It can hold quite a few lures and I have enough holes to re-position the alligator clips as needed

Genius!!! Love it...

I know Hobby Lobby usually carries feathers of different types. I haven't used them yet, but I was eyeballing a few different colors this last week. Been thinking of adding a bit or feather or bucktail to some of the smaller cranks. The price wasn't too bad, but I don't know how usable they will be for what I am planning on doing with them.

Cool info. I will look into that. My wife may have some around the house too. The only reason I mentioned the walleye floats is because I have tons of them handy. Its walleye country here in my neck of the woods LOL We're on the same page with the float placement. I want to draw up a rough sketch of a minnow bait and start tracking where the float placement is best for buoyancy and lure action. Since I have a little time off here for the next day or two, I have to build a wire form jig to try this. Wish I had an aquarium to take some side photos.

Came up with an interesting potential alternative, although I know that the buoyancy will be nowhere near the same as balsa. This alternative is something walleye fishermen would be very familiar with... The styrofoam line floats for their floating worm harnesses. http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/bait-rig-floats/315200.aspx Just looking at them, they look like they will fit the bill quite nicely. They tend to have decent bouyancy, plus they are designed to be threaded on fishing line. And where you can thread something with fishing line, you can modify it to accept wire of a specific diameter. As I stated before, they won't have the float of balsa, but I think a person could get two or three of these threaded onto a wire through system and get them positioned in the same spot every time to get some decent float. Maybe someone has already tried this with resin cast baits. If so, I'd be interested to hear the results.

Still thinking about this a lot. Plan on doing some experimentation later next week after my crazy work shifts end. Will post some results when I have them

Foam...microballoons...balsa cores...waterdrop technique... Any other techniques available to help achieve a relative consistent bouyancy?

I don't know. Seen your baits. Look like an artist to me. Thanks

Im definitely going to have to check that foam out. Thanks for the food for thought. Got the wheels turning. When I get some more free time I am definitely going to try this. Sounds exactly what I am looking for.

You must have been reading my mind. I was just thinking along those lines myself...I have an extra mold I was thinking about using for this....Will have to look into it more towards spring. Finally got my shipment of thermal PETG plastic so for the next few days I'll be making templates to get more consistency to the paint jobs on my baits. Been working with my art program and a lure diagram to get these designs made. Ought to be a good time. Any particular foam you are using for this by chance?

Interesting. Hadn't looked at it from that angle. Looks like I am going to have to approach it differently then. Thanks for the info. Saved me some serious time.