Mags Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 I paint a lot of the 3/4 ounce, but a customer wanted 8 1/2 ounce baits. This is the first time I painted the 1/2 ounce size. I buy 8 new 1/2 ounce Hotlips Express. I always test tank my baits in a bucket to make sure they float before I send them out. Of the 8 I painted 7 sink like a rock. The other bait floats like it should. One doesn't seem to have a rattle at all, or it is stuck, but it still sinks. Changing hooks and split rings didn't help. Still sink. I didn't check the baits before I painted them, but I find it hard to believe these would be weighted this close to neutral. The paint and clear coat don't add that much weight. It must be a mistake, like putting the weight for the 3/4 ounce size in the 1/2 ounce bait. I am finding that "Made in China" makes me check every detail before I buy. Quality control seems terrible. Anyone have any insight or problems with repaints on these baits? I am going to try to get Rapala (who owns the Luhr Jensen brand now) to replace them, but since I repainted them I wonder if they'll help me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 I don't have any insights but have painted a few 1/2 oz HLE's with no problem in years past. It's questionable whether Rapala would replace them after custom painting but you never know. If they had a bad batch, you may be one of many customers complaining and they may send replacements without having the bad baits returned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mags Posted February 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 If they don't replace them I'll take the time to strip them and see what size rattle weight they have in them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birdman Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 It is possible to overweigh a bait with clear coat if its balance is in certain parameters of neutral. I recently designed a wood bait for a customer and only sealed then clear coated it (test mode). I sent it to him, he loved it, returned it with an order for 8. I made all eight only this time I used the usual 2 build coats, primer, paint scheme, 2 clear coats. All 8 sank. Back to the drawing board, tweek it here and there but the point is coating adds more weight than you might think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mags Posted February 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 I doubt it was the clear coat since one of the baits, which was prepared just like the others was fine. If these were suspending baits, like a Pro Suspending Rogue, I would expect to have this problem, but not with a plastic production bait that usually floats like a cork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diemai Posted February 16, 2009 Report Share Posted February 16, 2009 @ Mags You wrote in your last post......"production bait that usually floats like a cork" . Years ago I have mailordered some "Hot Lips Express" from "Bass Pro Shops" , since I wanted to try out these deep divers , not available over here that times . In Germany most fishing restrictions demand the use of a toothproof steel leader , so no matter how small , thin or light you choose these leaders , they still let the lure sink . I have always blamed it on many American cranks being strictly bass lures , tied on straight to the line , but now your statements in here make me wonder..........these lures never float up like a cork , they just barely float , and I haven't repainted them ! good luck , diemai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stickman Baits Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 You should have float tested before the sanding began. New products are not neccessarily "right".........at least not where I live !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mags Posted February 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 Yes, I should have. Lesson learned. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mags Posted February 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 I stripped the baits and they still sink, so the paint and clear I applied wasn't the problem. Looking at the ballast (the plastic is clear) and rattle I can't quite figure out what the problem is other than the wrong ballast is in the bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted February 21, 2009 Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 Time to drill and adjust that ballast. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mags Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Just an FYI. I purchased 7 more 1/2 ounce baits from another retailer. Water tested them right out of the package. 3 sank. That's 15 baits and 10 were rejects. Pretty poor. I'm afraid to buy any more. I am going to try a call to Rapala and see if they have an explanation and can help me get 3 more good baits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diemai Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 @ Mags This is just unbelieveable and cannot be tolerated , at least these are brand name lures , and no cheapies . I really wonder , what the folks at Rapala would say to that ! good luck:yay: , diemai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMAXX Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 I paint alot of the 3/4 oz TAs..... I think they have went down hill after they moved production into Mexico and now it's China I think, Luckily I have been building up a pretty good kitty of the US made TA's:) they can still be bought but the price has been climbing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mags Posted March 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Not to beat a dead horse, but If you buy these you might want to check these right away to make sure they float. Many people buy a bait and let it sit in their box for months before actually using it. By that time they have lost the receipt or forgot where it came from. I bought 3 more from another retailer and 1 floated and the other two barely floated after putting on smaller split rings and a smaller snap. They will work. The guy I was painting these for bought four from Bass Pro and he decided to test them. Three of them sunk like a rock and one floated. I called Rapala and talked to a rep, who was very nice, and he said they hadn't heard of any problems. Anyway, the tally is 22 baits purchased from four different retailers to get 9 good ones. Enough said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman2 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 (edited) Sounds like I should walk over to the minnow tanks at Cabela's (closest one has a bait shop) after purchasing to save myself some time in the future. Edited March 12, 2009 by Tman2 clarification Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
