rustyman Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Was wondering if any of you have tried to design your own paddle tail for swimbait. I'm making a pike bait and the paddle tail didnt flop at all. Will try to post a pic if it lets me. Is it just as simple as having a skinny tail leading to the paddle, and a thicker paddle. My paddle isn't very thick and it folds back at the top, prob. needs to be thicker. Don't know if there is a formula or rule of thumb. Just figured I'd pick some pros minds and get some good input. The two protos I poured, one was soft and one was made with form. 500 from lurecraft with an ounce of hardner, its pretty stiff. Thanks for any help. Rusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 17, 2009 Report Share Posted March 17, 2009 Check in the gallery. I had posted a pic of a 6" I had done a while back. www.novalures.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zbass Posted March 18, 2009 Report Share Posted March 18, 2009 I traced around a colorado spinnerbait blade when I did mine. Works well. Hope that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garneau Baits Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 (edited) I take it you are dipping them. If you are you want to make the paddle thicker. That gives it more resistance against the water as it flows past it and makes it swim better. I use half hard and half soft plastic in my formula. The way i get the paddle thicker without making the rest of the bait to thick is, when i dip to the paddle I take the paddle out of the plastic just barley then i dip it again. Have the paddle facing away from you and when you start to take it all the way out make sure you lean the paddle back towards you for a few seconds so the plastic flows back down the body of the bait and not off the middle of the paddle then straighten it out. hope that helps Edited March 19, 2009 by HappyTime Hand Pours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longhorn Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 My advice is to use a known bait that works as a go-by and use the proportions, width to body ratio etc. in your design. Don't copy it exactly but adapt the features into your design. I've designed several that didn't work...the paddle design and the section of body leading up to it seem to be the most critical parts. You can actually get the ratios from photographs so you can look at popular baits online without having to see one in person. Just an idea. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Longhorn is right on the money. A deeper section towards the tail would reduce the tendancy for the tail to bend upwards without inhibiting the side-to-side motion. If I was to make this type of bait, I would cast it in a mold with the tail section curved slightly down. So in the water, it would straighten up. You guys are dipping, so not sure that this is possible. Might be worth making a new dipping iron to check it out. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyman Posted March 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Thanks for the input guys. I'm not dipping the tail, its poured. I'm going to go skinnier on the tail and thicker for the paddle. My last bait I poured I added hardener and that might have stiffened the plastic too much. I showed Shawn from poor boys/lurecraft and he gave me some good pointers too. I would like to post a pic but then someone will rip it off. Thanks again for your help. Rusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman2 Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Thanks for the input guys. I'm not dipping the tail, its poured. I'm going to go skinnier on the tail and thicker for the paddle. My last bait I poured I added hardener and that might have stiffened the plastic too much. I showed Shawn from poor boys/lurecraft and he gave me some good pointers too. I would like to post a pic but then someone will rip it off. Thanks again for your help. Rusty When your done making it, make sure you don't take it out in the presence of other lure makers..... whoops, too late. You should prepare yourself, because at some point, somebody, somewhere, is going to copy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted March 20, 2009 Report Share Posted March 20, 2009 Well I would like to see the pic, seeing as you asked us for help with your design. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyman Posted March 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 (edited) Sorry, screwed up this message. Edited March 22, 2009 by rustyman accidently sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyman Posted March 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 T-man, thanks for your help on both questions, I appreciate the pointers from all of you. I only have one proto done, and I need to refine some things before I break it out. I didn't do all the feature crafting yet, just the general shape. I am however very excited about it. I think great things in this world are made from building on each other to make things better. I just have no respect for someone who can't change something someone else made, and try to make money on it. Copying and taking inspiration I think are two totally different things. I'm sure this subject has been beat to death with a stick on this forum though. Thanks again, Rusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 I have no respect for plagiarism. Taking an existing bait and changing it just a little, is NOT original. Posting a request for help, taking the ideas and going secret is stealing ideas. I have absolutely no respect for those who change a little of someone elses design and make money on it. This seems to be the opposite of your philosophy, you only have respect for copy artists. I have read your last post 50 times and cannot arrive at any other conclusion. I am sorry I ever posted to this thread. Maybe you made a mistake and got your wording wrong. God, I hope so. I take solace in the fact that information already made public cannot be patented. People share information freely on this helpful site, maybe too freely at times. I don't give all my ideas away, just those that I do not plan to use. I don't like your attitude at all. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted March 22, 2009 Report Share Posted March 22, 2009 I can understand some one wanting to protect their work but there is a line you cross when you are looking for help ... looks like it has been crossed. My JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyman Posted March 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2009 Well, if what you guys think is true, any person asking for pointers should have to show their step by step process on their idea before its even finished. I don't play the "you show me yours and I'll show you mine game", unless she's hot, or just a woman I guess. I'm new to bait design and making and I think I have a good idea. I don't won't to see my idea on store shelves before I even finish mine. I don't think thats crossing a line. No vodkaman, my bait is very different. Maybe I misworded what I meant before. There are boundaries in copying someones design to a tee and making money on it. I don't think because a bait has a diving lip and hooks, its copying rapala though. I wouldn't care if after my bait is out that someone uses it to inspire their own creation,as long as its not a copy. I will definetly be excited to show anyone my bait AFTER its done, if you think me not sharing pics of my rough in is stealing your ideas, don't reply to me. If I can help you in anyway, I will try to help, not expecting anything but maybe a thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
