mohawkman

X2! I bought one of his pumpkinseed 2.5's. So nice I'm almost afraid to use it

Necessity...I bought a 3D tv because I thought I needed it. Only used the 3D feature twice. I've had it for a year and a half. Shoot, I rarely even watch tv. Only have it on for background noise.

Good stuff, Dave. I was almost late for work due to me reading the other stories. Loved the bit on "The Chicken Pesterer". Brandon

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Kicker_Fish_Bubble_Fry_4/descpage-KFBF.html

Holy moly! That's crazy! I can't complain about rain around here anymore.

I'm glad you brought up the dremel moto saw. I looked at it a while ago but forgot about it. I was curious how well it worked. Read a few bad reviews on amazon but they were probably trying to cut through iron.

In the nasty, nasty Iowa winters, I'm lure making only. Once it gets warm, I try to balance. Only been fishing once this year but in my defense, our weekends have been terrible. Constant rain. But on the plus side, I need a bigger tackle bag.

Cool video, Skimpy!

A beer fridge is a must. It'll help you work stress free. At least that's what I tell myself. I'll be investing in a lathe and a scroll saw once I get a house or condo. Can't continue to carve due to what I believe is carpal tunnel. Last time I went on a carving binge, my hand was almost useless for a month. Painting KO's has been helping my lurecraft cravings. You selling anything you make or are you doing it for fun?

Come on guys, we're all friends here. Don't take things so personal.

The power tools I don't have to worry about as I don't use any until I use my airbrush. My super sharp carving knife is another story. I always have a large supply of band aids near by. My wife said I should stay away from the whiskey while I'm carving. I have to disagree. Now that's funny!

The only thing I don't like about soft plastics is the 350 degree plastic. As an accident prone guy, the thought of spilling it on myself is a little scary. Plus, if I take up anymore space in my apartment with lure making stuff, my wife will kill me. She showed me the knife. When we move this summer, I'll be setting up a better work space and I'll give it a more serious thought. As for the ugly stiks, it's hard to beat $30 for a rod. Especially since very few companies make 2 piece casting rods. Hard to maneuver a one piece 7 foot rod in a CRV. Lost one to a power window.

I don't buy any lures except for plastics. I'm toying with the idea of starting to pour but not 100% sure if I'll like it. I don't pour lead but buy unpainted jig and spinnerbait heads. I'll never pour lead. Also looking at making my own rods.

I would dig a TU hat!

Don't do the picture thing. Physical product will be better. I don't sell jigs but I worked in purchasing for a big part of my life. Have you thought about making extra's of the popular (or maybe unique) colors for samples?

I never even thought about the fumes. Good to know, thanks Dave.

The first lure I made was carved from a block of basswood with a box cutter and painted with Folk Art craft paint. White body with a red head. The screw eyes were from Lowe's, nickel plated split rings from Hobby Lobby and Eagle Claw hooks from WalMart. I knew nothing about ballasting and waterproofing, or anything about making lures. My first test was in Minnesota on the mighty 'sip and it swam on it's side but the popping and walk the dog action was better than I would have ever imagined. I was so afraid of a northern biting it that I reeled it in super fast and stuck it in my tackle box. It now sits in a shadow box in my living room. I've made hundreds of lures that perform as they should but I'm not nearly as proud of them as I am with lure number one. Wouldn't sell it for a million bucks.

If you want them to stay really nice, I would make it a point to seal them well. Water will soak through the paint and in to the wood.

I always have a big bowl of water next to me when I paint. When I'm changing colors, I submerge the front of the airbrush with the cup under the water. I press and pull the trigger all the way back and put my finger over the nozzle for a couple seconds and then pull away. I do that a few times. If I'm using a thicker paint, I'll put some createx airbrush cleaner in the cup and back flush with my finger. When I'm done for the day, I'll back flush with AB cleaner a few times then scrub with acetone.

I bought a set of airbrush cleaning brushes from harbor freight for 2 or 3 bucks. When I'm done for the day, I put a small amount of acetone in the cup and scrub the inside with the little brushes. I back flush with water and createx airbrush cleaner.

Good to know, thanks

Not sure how good this is but it has my interest. http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/soft-plastic-lure-molds/044022500001.aspx