Ichthus

After fooling around with AC1315, it's made me think. What other concrete sealers have been tried out there with minimal problems? AC1315 has its challenges for sure and its drawbacks like melting when in contact with plastics. So has anyone tried other concrete sealers?

A popper was my first successful bait. At the time, I didn't have the craftsmanship or the tools needed to make a concave lip and decided not to use ballast. However, it caught fish. And I was very proud.

Get well soon Nate! All the guys here on TU and Westernbass are pullin for ya!

I tried out the hydrophobic spray. It looks good on the feathers when they're in the water but it does kindof give them a slight haze of blueish smoke color at first.

My advice from one high schooler to another here Bbob, Is if you wanna do a swim bait mold, mold each section seperately and have them sit right side up, this makes ballasting and making vent holes easier and cleaner. Alumalite has a great starter kit but it comes with some unnecessary stuff like instructions cuz I never read those and an excessive amount of clay lol. But I would probably go with the foam to start since it gives you consistent buoyancy and start with one simple bait before you go on to your swimbait to get the feel for how the stuff works (learned that one the hard way)

Speaking of " critters" I'm working on a bait with feathers but I'm coating the feathers with a "permadry" hydrophobic coat just like when the feathers are on the bird. So, we'll see how that goes lol.

I like using pellet guns for getting rats. Living in suburban California, you can't exactly break out the .22 when you see them in the trees lol. I've heard chocolate works really well and I've done well with peanut butter and chocolate syrup.

Lead wire is about the most consistent you can get. 1/4" is usually good for glide baits as I find that a spread out weight helps the two sections sink horizontal which is what you want.

Is anybody on here making baits similar to a Kietech swing impact Fat in a 3.5 inch size or similar? If so, please PM me. I'm looking for a couple of two-tone schemes and am willing to buy in bulk if the price is right. Thanks.

I like using long 2-3in heckle feathers that you can get from bass pro, cabelas, or any other place that sells fly tying equipment. I find the longer the feather, the more bites you get and that number goes up if you pause the bait longer.

Get a piece a paper and cut a opened up "u" shape in it. Then spray at the edges to create scalloping. Dakotalakestackle has an excellent YouTube video.

thanks!

So I've recently heard of people taking off the split rings between the blade and eye of the jig (the split rings are there after Zman came after the companies claiming their patent of the chatterbait) and they open the eye of the bait, and directly attach the blade. My question is what is the best way to open up the eye?

Or more dams if we had the space, meaning more fishin holes too!

Welcome to the delta community mark! It's gonna be a big change from those deep clear lakes you're used to!

Topwaters are good starts. Then move onto Crankbaits. After that, I would suggest making a swimbait with a diving lip on it. That's how I progressed.

Coffin bills are hard to find. You're better off making your own. They're pretty easy. Josh

Great work Pete! I think I'm going to combine Nathan's advice with Clemmy's. I'm going to compare both results and see which one is more practical, and which one the fish like better.

Thanks Nathan! I was hoping I could get some feedback from you! Big fan of your fur work

I'm sorry bob. I meant to say I'm literally putting the feathers on the bait to make a skin over it like a bird or rodent.

Alright. Sorry I haven't been on in a while, I was messing around in my shop when I decided to try and attach feathers to a bait I'm making. I did, and it was successful, however it was the UGLIEST thing ever. Although I didn't expect it to be pretty. I attached the feathers with epoxy. Is there another recommended way of attaching them?

Sweet thanks!

Gotcha! Thanks. Mine turned out pretty nicely

I'm trying to cast a mold of a small bluegill with alumalite products and I was wondering if any of you have experience with this and would care to add some tips that weren't mentioned in the video.