Zbass Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 Test Session Just got back from the pond and the baits swim great! I was real pleased as these are the first swimbaits I have ever made. Didn't catch anything because the size of the fish in the pond is not very big. Just a big test tank. Let me know what you guys think. Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 They look really good I especially like the top and bottom ones. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNBasser Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Zbass, your swimbaits look great. I'm moving toward making some of my own. Just about finished with the basswood carvings from which I'll make molds. However, I've had trouble figuring out how to get the belly "hook slit" in them, which I notice you have in yours. Is this part of your mold? Is it something I would actually cut into my model prior to making my mold? If so, would this not leave the slit to wide, that is, not provide for the lips to close together? Would you share how you accomplished this in yours? If your technique is proprietary I apologize for asking, however, if there is another thread already covering techniques for this I would be grateful to be directed to it. Many thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted July 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Nova, Thanks for the kind words. The top one is 4.25" long. The head really pushes a lot of water. The bottom one is 3.5" long. I made it for smallies and also as a swim jig trailer. Have not decided on what eyes yet. TN, The hook slot is different on each one. I wanted to see if the width of the slot made a difference in the roll of the bait. The widest one is 1/4" wide. It gives the bait a more lazy roll. The thinnest is 3/32". That gave the bait a tight, quick roll. I cut the slots in before molding. The real reason I believe for the hook slot is so there is not too much plastic to impede the hook set. Hope this helps. Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finfever Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Z Those baits look great, i like the bottom 2 baits. Any way i could get my hands on some in the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted July 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 finfever, PM me and we can talk about it. Zbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNBasser Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Thanks Zbass. I'll cut the slots before making my mold as you have. I'll post pictures of my models, molds made from them and baits from the molds, good or bad. This may be a while however. This is a hobby for me and unfortunately my work requires I spend a good bit of tome traveling so I devote time to it when I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky O Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 ZBass, sweet looking baits. How did you get that great scale pattern on the second from the top? That's one of the things I've always wondered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rixon529 Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 I'm with Musky O. I like the scale pattern on the second bait also. Good job! Rick H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
