SW Lures

@Troutgnat, if large eyes don't appeal to you try painting or using a color pen to have a smaller size. Another way is to think about foil and make your own, you will be surprised in what can be done. A clear coat will bring the look out. You can ease the eye socket before any painting with sanding the edges to make it somewhat realistic. Just a thought.

Since there is no general discussion anymore. I thought this was a appropriate location for this. I was working on some jigs yesterday morning and ran out of a color that to me I needed to complete a certain color jig. My better half was heading out to shop with the grands. I asked my better to stop and pick up a spool of this color and the size was 210 denier, waxed and nylon. She said ok and off they went and I kept at the jigs to complete them. My grand (9 year old granddaughter) called back some time later and told me my better couldn't figure out what I really wanted and couldn't explain it to her. I repeated what I wanted and she said "oh yeah I'll get it". She knew where to go in the store and got what I needed. Mined you her dad ties and I have been as well before she was born. She helps me out from time to time. She picking things up evidently. Always fun to have them around. I just thought it was a good story to pass along. Let them tie and help somtime.

Mark I must have got that from you! Lol I do the same thing and I don't have no issues at all. I just do that cycle a few more times. I don't have to do a major cleaning to often by doing this. Do you put a dish detergent in the water? I do put a very little amount. The tub I have has two sections. The second one I just keep water in for the final cycle of flushing. Takes very little time compared to a gummed up brush. Dale

That person is new to bait making. As we all have been through there is a learning curve even with the type of help that I have had. I still had failures which to me helped me to improve and I'm still going through. I may never come out of that phase. I am going to call this person he, because of the type of name. He has found some patterns to give him the numbers for the layouts. These have cavities for buoyancy and locations for ballast and a through wire. All of these seem approximately correct by just seeing a pic. He is doing this in two pieces, vertically seperated from tail to nose. Not knowing nothing very much about this, it seems that he could bring the patterns together to to create a one piece bait. Maybe I can get him over to TU, this could be very interesting. Dale

There is a person in a bait group in Facebook that I belong to that is tinkering around with the 3D. My first thought was Dave. Then I thought it looks ok, but will It fish? I can differently make a fine looking bait! The question is will it catch fish? That's why I say, "the real test is does it or will it catch fish"? I can make a bait look mighty pretty, but that's just a part of the whole. I got a war dog and it looks pretty bad now......"it will catch fish". This person is new to making baits I think. We'll see? I'll keep y'all posted. Then again I may never really know. Dale

No Mark, I told you that I was going to give it a try some time ago. I just started with the poplar and really like working with it. But I plan on giving a try soon. The store has some scrape trim and I'll pick up a piece. I want to start on that newt I have been talking about. Might be a good combination. X2 Musky Glen Dale

I do enjoy painting. I just enjoy the shaping of the baits more. I enjoy designing a new one even more. I know I'm really near the dark side. Dale

Just my little ole opinion. If you are after large species with large teeth go to a hard wood like poplar, cedar, etc. Your lure may survive longer. I've been making some and they are well received by the people who are using them. Of course how many you catch wears them out. At this time it appears that the clear coat is just getting abused. One has got through to the paint. All things considered everybody's happy. These are friends who will tell me straight up. I'm happy, Dale

This is a rule of mine that I wanted to add. The hangers can not move at the surface! I bring epoxy up to the surface when installing just about everything. This is my first line of defence to water intrusion (first shield). These drill holes can not be compromised. Then a sealer (second shield), paint and my last shield....clear coat. Dale Sounds like a star wars movie?

It may not be the bondo, clear coat etc. I had to take time to read BobP statement because I agree with him on this thought. If you are fishing for smaller species, why put a through wire in. Can/did your through wire spin? If it can or did nothing will keep it from breaking the seal at the surface. Which creates failure from the start. This really sounds like what happened. Woodie who makes musky baits has stated that most baits really don't need a through wire I believe. My memory . I have tested 1" hangers and it will hold most med-large size fish. As long as they are put in properly. Nice looking bait. Hopes this helps, Dale

Minwax is what I use. Really easy to get and I just brush on or dip. I keep it in a mason jar. I make 8" swimbaits, so I brush. I brush most of the time because of waste from dripping. I have a clamp that I hold the baits by the lip and after coating I hange them up. If I'm coating/painting and I have no lip on It yet, which I don't normally do. You can hold the bait by hangers using a Xacto knife handle. I'm getting to really like this way. It pretty well levels it's self. If not I sand lightly with grits above 240. If needed I put on another coat. To be honest I want to try the urethane but never got around to taking a hard look at it. This would included testing. I have baits now over a year old that have been beat up pretty good and still going. So there is no reason to look elsewhere for now. My time is limited for bait making. Example JR and I have been talking about some lures. I haven't had a chance to start making them. Hope this helps, Dale P.S., always take your time sealing around the hanger/tow eyes and lip. That will be the worst place to be quick and miss a spot.

I use .030 TIG welding rod. I tried that size that did. It's to heavy as you know now. I still use it at times. I've been making inline spinners too. This .030 works well for them and the .042 works well in arm style spinners. These just don't distort, which I like. Dale

The Badger has a split needle cap I believe. Try a tight foam rubber that will form around the cap but will hold back the air. I don't have a badger, but this may work. Dunno?? Dale

X2 BobP, I have seen adding weight, water tempertures changes will make a floater become a sinker. I fish in rock a lot....no problems with circuit board yet. Trolling I'll use lexan. Need to find some lexan by the way. Dale

Whatever catches your fish or foats your boat.

I was the OP so I have NO problem with what you did Pete. I have enjoyed the conversation, as it is. I'm very interested in these type things. As far as Big blue2 I'll try to help. I had a design I thought, but a different size part showed up and the plans basically went out the window. Most of the materials were scrape. So I was winging it as I went a long. As I said earlier Big blue2, there is another one one YouTube. He sells plans, mine is modified all over the place. Same thought but I saw changes that would improve the design. Look up duplicator. Dale

No problem at all Jig Man, I've heard about that technique but never tried it. But since you two have brought up and reminded me about it I'll give it a try next time I get a chance. I have some nice 1/16-1/4, well bigger for deep water and Stripes. Thanks

@Jonister I was told about the Copic System and have been reading the thread. With you using a airbrush, what have you found to be the best task to use these for? I would assume detail, but wanted to get your thoughts. Thanks, Dale

I'm sure you were Ben, I just thought it was funny.

Intersting the comment about the James. My stumping grounds, from the mountains Shenandoah Valley to the bay. Nice to see a fellow Virginian. Unless there's another James. lol Take care

LOL Ben, I'm impressed with Pete's duplicator. I saw the wiring but it gave me a chance to see where it went to. A lot of guessing on my part. It's funny to see people adapt to a issue that they face and start to find answers. It's been happening ever since man. I would like to see it in action to. It's impressive nevertheless. Thanks Pete

Just to help out. Are you (BobV) asking Jig Man? The size that Jig Man is showing I just retrieve at different speeds and changing directions. Bumping off the bottom or structure.

Very nice set up Pete. Lol, mine now looks to be out of the stone age. Won't even try to make one of those. I'm just very interest in what you have done with your duplicator and understand why, except for one thing. I notice you are using AC input (or think I do), but why are you using DC? I figure you are going to get a converter and haven't had a chance yet. No matter what, it's a very nice set up! Dale

I have been looking at Smalljaws jigs that he has made. I'm working with heads from a Do-It mold that I modified to take a light weed guard for rocky river smallmouths. I have used marabou, hair and silicone skirts. I have some nice looking imitations of minnow and craw. Thanks Smalljaws! Can't wait to use them. One question, does anybody use marks to give a craw shell look? I have got the orange, red and dark horizontal pattern. I'm wondering if it would be to much or not. Thanks

It's what one enjoys and most people just goes with the majority. Me with a ultralight set up I'm excite with a large bull bream, crappie or whatever. A little heavier rod I'm going crazy over smallmouth, walleye, etc. I enjoy catching nice fish that I'm after. Largemouth is fine to but what does it for me is having the lightest set for the biggest fish. I have chance and the fish has a chance. Games on! Dale