FrogAddict

Nice view out of your window! Wow that's so clean. Mine never stays clean.

I spent a ton of time building a wake bait 2 winters ago. It was my first balsa build. The first time I threw it A 4 pounder bit it and when I got her next to my kayak, she snapped my line. I sat there for 10 minutes and was sad. I then tied on another crank, casted it out and it just kept goin.... I must have tied the worlds worst knot and it was a sinker. As Mark said, when they hit something you created, it's all worth it!! But it's even more satisfying to give a lure away and find out that your friend caught tons of fish with it! X2 on the plug knocker as well.

V-man good post. I honestly wasn't sure if the initial post was a joke. When I started I bet I had twice as many questions but I never wanted to do this for a living!! I think that would take all the fun out of it.

Thundercat, Those are stinking awesome! Mark, I like the belly,back, sides idea. I'm going to try that. I still get frustrated trying to hide my seams with paint. I seem to over spray too much with my .5 mm brush.

Dieter has a really cool video on how to make a wake bait on a lathe. It's old school and fun to fish. Here's a pic of one I made.

I use etex in my basement and up here in ND it get's pretty cold. My epoxy crystallized and I used the hot water trick. It worked a bit but I think I had it in the cold closet a bit too long. I still love the stuff for the most part....except when I don't. Which is when I get fish eyes, my cat messes with it, I drop the lure, I slip when I'm drilling out the line tie, I pull off epoxy and paint when I forget to take the tape off the bill before I epoxy the bait, when I spill it on my workbench and I don't notice until it cures etc. etc. etc.

Bob, Thank you for the info. I just ordered from McMaster. My step daughter bought me a guitar pick punch for Christmas that basically takes a used gift card or credit card and punches out a guitar pick. I've used it to make some wake bait lips but I need something a bit tougher so hopefully the garolite will work.

Mcallister, I just redid my lair. I bought 2 6ft long laminate counter tops from Menards for $25 each and set them on some of those cheap unfinished wood base cabinets. I then bought a small wall cabinet as well. Now I have 12 feet of space so I can have my painting, lure turner and working area all in the same place. One thing I did add was an LED shop light ($50). The extra light is great for working on those fine details. I then bought a small pegboard for the wall to keep all my tools in order. What would I do differently? I'm not sure, this setup has been pretty sweet so far.

I was having some trouble a while back and Mark turned me on to PVC. I have made some lures out of PVC since and I still do occasionally but I really enjoy working with cedar. Dieter has inspired me to make some of his old school cranks with the wood lip on the front and I've been enjoying that immensely. I understand what the OP is saying but I think it's healthy for people to offer alternative solutions to a builder's issues. I still use PVC when I am pressed for time or when I'm making a jointed bait but my heart lies with good old wood lures.

I use envirotex and have never scuffed before applying a second coat and I've had no issues. Maybe I'm just lucky?

I like to say I don't need fancy paint jobs, I just need Em to catch fish but the truth is, I'd love to have the talent and patience but I don't. What I do have is complete enjoyment of the journey! I was going to burn down my garage but it's attached to the house.

Hmm I may have to start buying more wicked colors!

I had a chance to use my new revolution and its a pleasure compared to my neo! Yes, I am sacrificing some detail buy I can paint and paint without clogging. Mark, I started using your cleaning method between paint changes and it really speeds thing up! I may get a smaller nozzle and needle in the future or upgrade to a brush w a Mac valve but for now I'm happy!

Nathan, Where did you put the ballast on that lure?

I have a big ole gas heater in my garage. It was costly but last year I had it installed. I think it's supposed to be 20 below here tonight!! Jaw, someone on the forum told me about the syringe trick. It works great!

Ben, I looked but didn't find it. Here are some pictures of how I did mine. I like how they turned out. I obviously need to trim them up.

I just grabbed an image of a fish eye, printed it on normal paper using the "best photo" setting on my printer. Maybe I should try creating my own fish eye graphic. Here's what I did that seemed to work better. I made an RTV mold of some half round beads and pored Etex into the mold. When they set up, I dotted each with black acrylic paint using a nail head and then painted the rest with yellow acrylic. I did all the painting when the eye were still in the mold. I'll take some pictures tonight and post them here if I have the time.

This is my painting/ tinkering station and turner in my basement. The band saw, drill press, and wood lathe are in the heated garage.

Update on my last post, I didn't like the outcome. The printed eye didn't seem to have enough contrast. Back to the drawing board.

X2, I like to see how thin the paint is before I put it in the cup.

Hmmm, I usually twist my hook hangers but I decided not to on my last lure. I use 5 min epoxy but now I'm worried they won't hold.