mossman Posted December 31, 2003 Report Share Posted December 31, 2003 Hey fellers, I need some advice or opinions. I have a request to make a bait that resembles a smelt. The size is to be similar to a Rapala 13 to 18. This bait will be used for lake Huron walleye surf fishing. This bait will need to cast long into the wind and dive only 2 -3 feet. Do I use balsa with alot of lead or a harder (more dense) wood? For the long cast, lots of weight up front or distribute to the tail? All of the baits I make are sandwich type, through wire construct; primarily balsa, basswood and poplar. Thanks in advance. I've observed this site for almost a year now and have been sucessful in making about 100 actual, fish catchin' lures. I'm getting many requests for custom baits. Greatest hobby ever. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted December 31, 2003 Report Share Posted December 31, 2003 Mossman...First welcome to the site,I'm glad you joined in!! Now your question..I would go with a dense wood such as Bass,cedar or even pine.The extra weight will benefit you in casting.As for weight placement....I'd place the majority of the weight towards the back of the lure.This will reduce tumbling...Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughesy Posted December 31, 2003 Report Share Posted December 31, 2003 You want to watch putting the weight too far back because the lure will set in the water with the tail down. Sometimes, this will make the lure blow out of the water because the bill will be parallel with the surface of the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossman Posted January 3, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2004 Thanks for the advice guys. I think I will use pine and I'm considering a weight transfer device inside the bait that weights the tail on the cast and goes to the belly on retrieve. I'm very reluctant to ask this question, But.... Has anybody ever used mercury as a bait weight? Please be kind...I'm not a moron, just brainstorming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clemmy Posted January 3, 2004 Report Share Posted January 3, 2004 Yes it's been done by some vintage lure companies...look up mercury minnow on the web. I think it might well be illegal, as it is a danger to our fisheries.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossman Posted January 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2004 Thanks guys, I'm gonna nix the mercury idea... just too nasty in too many ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted January 5, 2004 Report Share Posted January 5, 2004 Mossman...Ive used the bearings like you use for a wrist rocket in those weight transfer lures...It works really well..Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossman Posted January 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 When you use bearings, Nathan, do you put them in a tube or carve a travel channel in the bait? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 Mossman, I cut a channel for the bearing. Besure when cutting your channel it dosen't interfer with the placement of your eyescrews.Before I epoxy my lure halves back together,I will give the channel a coat of epoxy...then set it aside to dry. Then when I epoxy the halves together..BECAREFUL NOT TO GET ANYMORE EPOXY IN THE CHANNEL...or you'll have a bearing glued in one place!!...The reason for the epoxy in the channel lets the bearing roll easier,and it adds a little more noise..Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossman Posted January 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 Thanks Nathan, I'll give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
