Super Ron

Hey guys. Bought some swimbait blanks off ebay. The tail fin is separate from the lure body. It has a raised edge that slides into the groove on the body's tail. From what I see, it would make a solid connection that once in place is not coming out. So what are the pin holes in the body's tail section for and how do you pin them? Thanks Ron

I don't know if Avid is out of business. I do know that over the past few years painting I've seen a few suppliers go away. I was fortunate 2 have notice of 1 company and purchased 250 of a particular blank, I've not seen anywhere else. Purchasing that many gave me a good discount. If Avid is done it sucks because they did/do have solid blanks. 1 particular blank, I had a sample of and was really impressed. I had sent an email to ask for a bull discount with no reply.

I use Martha Stewart brand glitter for my cranks and plastics If u brush on your epoxy mix in the flakes prior to stirring. Paint on As normal Second layer of epoxy no glitter and u shpould b set

try avidbasstackle.com

Shelts has them also. But they go fast. They literally made a post saying they had the 110 size. There were 170. And they were done I. 10 minutes

I used a big plastic tote. Put added 2 cheap shop lights from Walmart to the top and then put in a 4 inch computer fan in it. Instead of ducting out, I use the cut squares of the cheap green AC/Heat return filters from Walmart as they are also cheap. I just replace the green filter material as needed.

Hey guys I am looking for a specific mold. Simply it's a 1/2 oz jig head, not a round or football style and not an arkie. No indentions to put eyes in. The jig was made by the now (out of business) Knuckle Down Lures. If it's a Do-it mold, I can't find it. I'm willing to have a mold made. I looked on CNC molds but they will not copy a jig head if it's a current production model. And I get that. That would be wrong anyway. If it's in production I would just buy one. So if you guys come up with any ideas, let me know. Thanks Ron

I used a BBQ rotisserie and mounted it in a plastic tote. That way as they turn, it has the lid on to protect from any dust or anything that may be flying in the air. It really sucks when you something comes out really awesome only to be ruined when a mosquito lands on your drying epoxy. And when not in use, it just looks like a storage tote set to the side. The rotisserie I bought was like $30 and the cheapest Menards sells. It's lasted 2 years so far and at one point I can say it was not turned off for more than 10 seconds at a time, running 24/7 for over 6 straight months. Definitely my moneys worth.

Thanks Mark. Ive only got a few blanks left to practice on then I'm out. 1 of them is a WW. So I will try that on a new paint scheme I'm working on. Ron

I am currently using both Etex and KBS Diamond. I thought the KBS would replace the Etex. If so, I wouldn't need a turner and I would be able to do more. Kinda didn't work out exactly like that. I have found that some bait's body style prefers Etex over KBS. For me jointed baits need the epoxy brushed on to keep out of joints. When using KBS, Wiggle warts (even with a drip wire) tend to leave a small build up on the tail, making it difficult for me to not screw it up trying to clean up any excess. Any other styles I've dipped without issues and the KBS works great. My opinion is Etex and KBS both harden about the same as I have not been able to see any difference in wear running 1.5s through the rocks testing both. Again this is just my opinion but the time to it takes to harden to the point I would fish it I give Etex 3 days and KBS 6. KBS stinks. It will stink up my entire work shop. Hope this help a little with your decision. I've only worked with these 2 products so I can not give an opinion on any other.

Doesn't really matter what I sell, if I sell, or how much. Gives me something to occupy my time and according to my son help make his brand as he wants to be on the FLW or BASS circuit on day. I was most concerned if I had enough stock because I didn't want to do this and not have enough product displayed to make us look legit so to speak. After talking to Rod on the phone (thanks), I know I over did it. Which is normal for me to overdo things. So I feel better now. LOL

My girlfriends grandson (8) stayed the weekend with us. He doesn't have a male figure in his life as he lives with his mother and 2 sisters, so tag I'm it. Well yesterday we spent the day prepping, painting, and clearing his first bait. I am out of any new blanks so I picked up a 110 jerk that has been painted and scrubbed off probably 4-5 times. I explained how the airbrush worked, basically telling him press down, pull back and sweep. He picked his colors, and painted every step by himself, even did the etex by himself. We only had time to get one coat on and dried before he had to go home today but he did good. When it was all said and done, he looks at me and says, "I know it will take a lot of practice to get as good as you, and this terrible. But so awesome ." It looked like a tie dyed mess that Cheech and Chong would stare at for hours. I loved it. Just a cool weekend.

It's not about whether anyone buys any or not. In some ways, I want to sell out but in other ways I don't want any to sell because I really dig some of them. Realistically I expect to sell a few, have a bunch of gator arms as Rod put it, and then I expect some sporadic orders here and there as my son gets the website up in the next month. This has been a number of years in the dreaming stage to finally do this. So keep a look out for Run-N-Gun Tackle My big question is Do you guys think showing up with 950 plus hard baits is a respectable number to show up with? Did I overdo it or underdo it? Rod: The Omaha Fishermans Swap Meet is March 3rd. Come by and say hi or if you have tables yourself let me know and I'll come by. Be nice to meet someone who does this kind of stuff and swap ideas and stuff. Ron

Ok guys, I need a little advice. My son and I are doing 2 tackles shows. The first show at the end of February is a 2 day event. Then a week later is a 1 day tackle swap meet where people mostly sell used fishing items. My son is making all the plastics and plans on having about 600 bags done. A friend of my sons' will have hand tied jigs (how many he is bringing, I don't know). I've been working my butt off and have a little over 950 hard baits painted. Is this enough? We are not trying to make a six figure salary doing this. Just enough to help my son brand himself (as he puts it) and to pay for my supplies that I consider non disposable. Meaning hooks, blanks, hook bonnets, etc. It's just to keep me busy during the days as I'm retired. So from you that have done this kinda thing before, have I made enough cranks? The quality and the price I'm charging is really good, so I am not worried about anyone looking at my stuff and saying they suck or the price is too high. I've just never done something like this and need some advice. I'll take any advice or opinions. Ron

Clear heatshrink is what I've used. Not that I've messed with it a bunch but no it doesn' tend to scratch. It' effective. Just not something I've played around with a ton.

Buyheatshrink.com I've tried it a couple times. Put a piece on, shrink, and cut with and exacto or scissors and your good. My only issue and it's a me thing, is I can not ever get the opposite sides to match in my cutting.

I use Janns Netcraft They call them Hook Bonnets. Easy on and easy off.

Just to let everyone know that the situation has been resolved. I received an email asking for me to call. The gentleman on the phone was very polite and reiterated he has not had problems with these particular blanks. As the man was in his warehouse, he took a sampling of his particular stock while we continued to talk. He did indeed did find a significant error rate with the problems as I described. This batch from his manufacturer will not be sold and he is contacting them. As for me, he will be sending a package to make the situation right. Very polite and understanding on the phone. I am glad that this has been resolved and I can in good faith continue to do business with him as other blanks I have received from him have been top notch.

Actually they were DT16 blanks. Either way. After another email, I finally heard back from the individual and they asked for more pictures but did say they would make it right. Now what that means (since I did not ask for a refund), I don't know. But I will be very hesitant to buy those particular blanks again.

Oh I know. I haven't taken anything negatively. And Gliders, the answer is no. After I sent the pictures to the seller, I have not heard back. No worries though. Life happens. Move on.

Love this subject matter of this thread. I wish I could do some of the "innovation" part. However, I don't have the strength or endurance in my dominate arm any longer and hand tools, and such just aggravates things. So I paint to keep my retired butt occupied and am always trying to learn and strive for the appearance. I do think it's was comical that AnglinArcher mentioned the Flying Lure. 30 years ago, I considered this lure the next best thing. Back then I did not know how to skip with baitcaster and with the flying lure on light spinning gear (on slack line) I could easily get under docks and over hangs and they caught me a bunch of fish. Over the years I learned how to skip pretty decent (not like Gerald Swindle though). 30 years later, I can't skip a baitcaster any longer and have seriously considered bringing the flying lure back into my arsenal just for dock fishing. Painters keep painting and striving for that perfect color or scheme. This is were I think the next innovation will come from. Case in point the color Green Pumpkin. I do not remember this color 30 years ago and I still have plastics that are that old. Someone will come up with a new color that will one day become a staple in peoples tackle boxes. Fish see colors. We know that and they see certain colors better than others. I'm of the frame of mind that the next color or color combination to become a staple in tackle boxes whether plastics or hard baits will be one that fish can't see as well, making it difficult for the fish to necessarily distinguish the shape of lure. Then like a toddler they pick up (or in this case enthings

Rod I feel for you and the cold. Wait a minute. I feel for me. I'm just up the road from you in Onawa. And this 18 degree weather is killing my bones and winter hasn't started yet. BobP I was living in Fayetteville and while Casey Ashley was winning the 2015 classic my son and I were fishing Harris and the Cape Fear. It was cold. Hauling butt across Harris heading towards the bridge and then crackle crackle crunch, crunch. 1/2 in of ice never even saw it. No damage or anything. Actually comical at the time. NC may not get ice like we do here in the Midwest or further north but cold is cold. I think I will just hibernate till March.

I didn' ask for anyone from TU to arbitrate any disputes. I started this thread for 2 reasons. 1. I just wanted to vent because I didn't appreciate the word "liar" sent in my direction 2. Because I strongly feel that product reviews are not really seen here and if you research most any hobby, there are reviews that can help people make sound Here is a pic that shows the issue with the blanks. As you can easily see the bill is crooked And once again in case anyone hasn't read the full thread, I didn' ask for a refund, I painted most of them for practice purposes or trashed them and all I was doing was informing the supplier to QC his product better