Wood for baits

[mark poulson]

I was wondering if anyone is using pine for larger baits, like the Punker-type baits?

I have a garage full of wood, and time to burn.

[RiverMan]

I have tried pine and found it very light at soft. It's not my first choice of woods but it would work fine I'm sure. I think suicks are made of pine but I'm not sure about that. I would suggest you try some poplar. Wood is cheap....at most it will cost you maybe 50 cents for a blank........the cost comes in when you figure your time, not materials.

Jed V.

[fatfingers]

I tried pine on several different styles of musky baits this year and it worked out great. Caught a number of fish with those baits and had no problems. Pine has a nice twitchy/bouncy character to it and the baits are very lively in the water.

I always try to select a portion of the pine wood stock that is clear of knots and other flaws.

[smirkplug]

I've used pine on big poppers and swimbaits for years, I've made over 2000 of them and never had one fail with a good sealer, primer, paint, and 2 coats of 2 part epoxy. I've caught striper, amberjacks, pompano, largemouth, etc. up to 30 pounds, we tested the strength on a iziorline machine and the line broke at 122 pounds and the 4x v.m.c. hooks bent a little. but the wood is fine. I do like cedar, and poplar but in S. Cal i havent found anything but pine and some heavy wood.

[mark poulson]

I have both white Pine and kiln dried vertical grain douglas fir left over from some jobs, and I just bought a piece of 8/4 poplar. I love how easy pine is to shape. I'm going to try the poplar next week. This weekend, I am going to the Anglers Marine Bass-A-Thon Saturday, and then I have a club tourney on Sunday at Castaic. But Monday, after I lay a few bricks, I'll be in the Garage, carving the poplar. It looks like a good, even textured wood. I hope it sands up smoother than the fir I've used.