Big Epp

I was thinking a large brass bead might help with that. The internet says it's difficult but possible...could you solder (or epoxy) in a metal rattle chamber?

I looked up "lake Erie flutter spoon," and while I did not see any quite like those, many of the ones I saw had a pronounced eye spot right where those holes are. Northland tackle makes a buckshot spoon, and the red eye has those beads, maybe you could add different beads for eyelike flash and some extra rattle? I love the idea of adding some sort of light, maybe a bright glow bead?

I'm not familiar with this supplier, but would a powder coat like this work?

I haven't made any baits yet with a line tie in the lip like you are describing, but I love your solution. Makes sense to me!

Nice to see how other guys on here are carrying on that community aspect! People helping people...

It all depends on what you're making and fishing for. I have a 2.5" popper with twisted .032" stainless hardware. Hardware was superglued in place, and I've caught a ton of bass (including 5 pounder) with no problems. That's generally my go-to approach. For some bigger baits geared toward muskie, I've used .062" wire in a 1/8" slot cut on a table saw. Then, once it was in place, epoxied in a 1/8" strip of wood. Seems to work. Play around and find what you like best.

I got the Iwata eclipse at the recommendation of a professional artist/art teacher. No complaints, but I can't compare it to other brushes. It's the only one I have and I don't invest a ton of time painting. (Welcome to the hobby!)

Great looking baits!

Have you bought from this site? I'm always interested in new sources.

And you can find some of the tail doodads here: https://www.lurepartsonline.com/Lure-Making/Skirts-Rattles-Dressings/Skirt-Making-Materials/Silicone-Material?page=1

You can find some different collars here, though not exactly the same: https://www.lurepartsonline.com/Lure-Making/Shop-By-Product-Category/Skirts-Rattles-Dressings/Skirt-Making-Materials/Collars?page=1

I just watched a video of the hellhound's action. If i was going to make one, I'd find the center of balance, then move equidistant in each direction with an even amount of weight (so 2 holes for weight) to get the desired float level. Might even use 3 holes, with weight at the center of balance and on each side of it. I know this reply is a bit late, how did whatever you did turn out?

I've seen a lot of people use maple or poplar for swimbaits. Something very buoyant like cedar, redwood, or basswood will take a ton of lead, whereas something more dense won't need nearly as much. A tradeoff is the maple is much harder to carve than basswood. A lot of people will use different types of wood for different types of baits, and wood density can have a significant impact on lure function. The buoyancy of the wood works with the drag of the lip on crankbaits to impart action, gliders use the mass of the bait and the hydrodynamics of the profile to create a good glide, and so it goes.