Theflyingplatypus Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 I was just inspired to make a crayfish swimbait. Has anyone done this before? I would think it would'nt be to hard, just multi hinge the tail and use like powder coated brass or ss to make plates to scew on to the top of the tail to protect if from rocks. What do you guys think? should I give it a whirl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogbaits Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 You better make it now or I will(just kidding)go for it, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 I how wonder if you can keep it light enough to produce the crayfish scoot. Do you plan on using the metalic sound of the bait hitting rocks to get fish to stirke? Would this be a wood and metal combo? Let's get this flushed out a bit, it could be a great bait if a few details are worked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theflyingplatypus Posted January 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 I posted that with only thinking about it for about five minutes. Now I have the thought that polycarbonate would work as rock guards. For weighting I was thinking that if you place alot of the weight in the lowest section of the abdomen(tail) that when useing a jerk pause retrieve it would cause the tail to relax then curl in again sharply like it was swimming. It would have to be a sinking bait of course to truly imitate a crayfish. Give me a day or two and I will have this thing drawn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theflyingplatypus Posted January 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 What material do you guys think I should use for the tail segments? I was thinking about useing polycarbonate for the paddle tail but don't really know what to use for the tail body. I'm also thinking that the claws should be made of some boyant material like balsa so that the float above the head like a defensive crayfish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain Man 26 Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Didn't Bill Dance sell one back in the 80's. It was in the same family of the "Dancin EEL". It had a metal frame, plastic lip, the body was soft plastic, and it had one treble hook on its belly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain Man 26 Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Here it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seabasshunter3 Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 that looks like it should have caught a boat load of fish...guess it really never did catch on....I have never seen one before..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Ken Huddleston, of Huddleston Swimbait fame, has a soft plastic craw lure that's tail weighted, and pulled from the front, so the claws are in front. It's call the Hud Bug. Great finesse bait. Totally realistic. A tightly bent V shaped stainless steel wire has a small weight on each end of the wire, and then the wire passes through the craw body from back to front, and comes out at the head, where a small circle or wackey hook is slipped through the bend in the wire. Casts great, catches fish. You can see a picture on the Huddleston website, or Tacklewarehouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theflyingplatypus Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Those don't look like what I had in mind. I have a sketch drawn up and am going to be scanning it soon so I can post if for you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theflyingplatypus Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 http://http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f261/kayrubadub/?action=view¤t=crayfishswimbait.jpg This is the basic drawing, refinment needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadawgs Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 I got bored one day and carved one out of balsa. I carved the claws separately and and added the to the body with a piano wire hinge system.Most of the weight is in the tail with just a small amount in the claws to help keep them pointing slightly forward while the body stands straight up. used rubber skirt material for antennas. haven't even sealed it yet but hope to fish it around beds this spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theflyingplatypus Posted January 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Sounds cool, I want pics:wink: I uploaded the drawing to the gallery cause I could'nt figure out the link thing. Mods, move it if you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palmetto Balsa Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Here are the diagrams. They would be hard to chase down later on when searching the gallery. This one will be a fun one to make. These diagrams were drawn by Theflyngplatypus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowhunter Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 I did a jointed crayfish a couple month's ago and it turned out O.K. for a prototype, look's similar to your idea. Douglas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 Beautiful bait. Great job. Did you extend the hook hanger on the back to keep it away from the claws? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowhunter Posted January 18, 2008 Report Share Posted January 18, 2008 That is exactly the reason for the extension. I might also add that this lure is through wired with 7 strand wire from the line tie to the aft hook. Douglas Here's a photo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Seven strand hinges. Interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 http://www.bettencourtbaits.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=284&start=0 Here is a link too my Crawdad..the body's are replaceable as they wear out..Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Ah, Magoo, you've done it again! ) Another great lure, Nathan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theflyingplatypus Posted January 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 I'm going to start on the bait today so stay tuned. Nathan, awsome bait, I saw this bait on some other forum and was wondering how to obtain it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chartreuse Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 i think this is the type of joint system you're seeking... sry for the small pic, ^note how the tail curves nicely^ can't locate the site i took it from but i guess it was made by a guy named "Tim C." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 That is actually made by Tom Christenson. He is an incredible carver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chartreuse Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 oops.. my bad lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theflyingplatypus Posted January 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 Pic doesn't work, searched for him but nothing turned up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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