rapalaoutlet Posted March 21, 2012 Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 So i am working on my first swim bait.. Already noticed some things i will be changing on the next 1.. I think defiantly the hinge will be changed and defiantly looking at using the aztek decking... here are some pics. this is made from a chunk of bass wood. still needs to be weighted and then sealed for the test run... the body itself is 4inches along with tail is a total of 5inches.. not sure how much i should weight it down but we shall see.. any ideas let me know.. for the tail i just used some plexiglass and notched out the tail section and inserted a pressure pin which allows the tail to swim freely.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhopkins Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 looks like a good start on swimbait making. you'll do more refining of your designs as you get more experience. do some searches on hinging to get more ideas. as far as ballast, i try to keep the ballast as low in the body of the bait as i can . if you want the bait to sink nose down put more ballast in the front segment. if you want it horizontal distribute the ballast in each segment. good luck and keep us posted on your progress. jr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapalaoutlet Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Thanks John ur the man! I i did the ballast last night... I have a 1oz weight in the belly and a 1/4 in the rear of the front portion.. without paint or anything we are sitting @ 2oz. even.. can't wait 2 learn from u john! your work is awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapalaoutlet Posted March 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 here she is just needs a clear coat... it is currently 5 inches long and is 2.2 oz. i have done the clear coat it's just drying this pic was b4 the clear coat.. do not like how my paint came out at all should of planned it a bit better... however i can not complain about the rest.. def. a new hobby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungForge Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 How did you make the hook hangers on the bottom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapalaoutlet Posted March 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 when it was cut in half i notched out a section for them i burnt and epoxied in cotter pins.. this was a last minute effort lol i wouldn't use them normally you can buy it and self bend a ss leader.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted March 23, 2012 Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 Man, you're hooked now! Nice job! Here's a couple of key things I've found for getting good action from jointed swimbaits. I've found that keeping the ballast out of the last section helps to insure maximum swimming action, and helps to keep the bait level on the retrieve. Start at the head, and only add toward the rear if you run out of room in the first section. Keeping the head section twice as long as the other sections helps to keep it more stable, and gives you more room for ballast. Also, if you taper the bait from the top to the bottom, so it has a V profile, since there is less buoyant material on the belly, the bait won't roll on a fast retrieve. I usually start about 1/4 of the way down from the shoulder on a 7/8" thick bait, and taper to 5/8" at the belly. I don't have an exact formula, I just do it by eye. You'll be happy if you give AZEK PVC a try. The decking, which is as buoyant as poplar, works really well for swimbaits. The trim board, which is more buoyant, is better for cranks. You'll never have to worry about sealing your baits again, and water intrusion is never an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapalaoutlet Posted March 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 your not lieing Mark. I should have my video by end of the week from john to see how to really make them the right way =) then i will def. be hooked the hole week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 your not lieing Mark. I should have my video by end of the week from john to see how to really make them the right way =) then i will def. be hooked the hole week. You're starting out right! Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
