Weights in balsa

[Coley]

I have read a lot about adding weight and hook

hangers to balsa baits.

I use a 1/16 " x 1 1/4" 18-8 SS cotter pin.

I also use an egg sinker. The sinkers come

in many different sizes. Put the cotter pin

through the egg sinker ( no drilling required)

and bend it down into a "U" shape. Drill the

hole in the balsa deep enough to accept the

weight and cotter pin. Put some epoxy into

the hole and push the weight in just below

the edge of the hole. The epoxy will flow around

the "U" bend in the cotter pin holding it in.

Picture tells the story.

Coley

[Ripper]

So, is the round end of the cotter pin what you use for your hook attachment?

[Skeeter]

Yes, the round end is what he is using to hold the hook. Coley, why don't you just bend each end of the cotter key around the side of the sinker, clip off the excess, and then insert it into the hole. That way there is no chance the the cotter key slipping and the hook hanger dropping. It probably won't any way but to me it seems less likely to happen.

Skeeter

[Ripper]

This may sound like a stupid question, but I'm new to this. Wouldn't there be a chance a the epoxy not holding and losing the hook, weight, and cotter pin while fighting a fish or if snagged and trying to free the lure?

[Lure--Prof]

There is a chance...about one in a million...once you epoxy the whole deal in, you'll see.

Dean

[Coley]

I have done that too, Skeeter.

I have bent the cotter pin in all kind of shapes.

I have tried to pull them out of baits and they

will not come. You will tear the bait up trying.

You can get the cotter pin outside the bait and

twist it into, leaving the lead and all inside.

I use this method for several reasons.

Lead is a pain in the rear to drill.

The cotter pin is cheap and easy to put

a split ring on. I can buy egg sinkers

and others fairly cheap, the guy at the

bait shop charged me .03 for a 1/4 oz.

That's cheaper than I can fool around making

them.

Coley

[u63405]

that's a great idea. you could essentially do the same with stainless steel wire. bend it around a nail and insert it into an egg sinker.

[KrawdadBill]

You guys are right on with your ideas. I've used the same technique with some off my balsa lures, just a little different. I have been using 1/16 ounce or 1/8 ounce bullet weights, with a brass hook hanger that I bend like a cotter pin. I also add a small cupped washer between the weight and the eye of the hanger. Drill the hole with a small bit then enlarge it using my dremel tool. For me the dremel tool works better to enlarge the hole instead of a larger drill bit (using a larger drill bit I would splinter to outside face of the hole :oops: ). Insert the hanger through the cupped washer and weight, bend the ends back. Epoxy it all in and it ain't coming out.

bill

[Skeeter]

Dean,

If your epoxy is mixed right, and something manages to pull that assembley out, then you better have a gun in the boat and shoot whatever pulled it out because that is one bad to the bone critter.

Skeeter

[Lure--Prof]

Skeeter, ain't that the truth! If something disassembles the lure at that point, a landing net will be a serious health liability!!!

Dean

[allstate48]

I really enjoy reading your forum. I've been taught a lot. But this subject, is the best one I have seen so far. Keep asking questions, and I'll be learning. Thanks Doug

[Husky]

Dean' date='

If your epoxy is mixed right, and something manages to pull that assembley out, then you better have a gun in the boat and shoot whatever pulled it out because that is one bad to the bone critter.

Skeeter[/quote']

If your epoxied eyes pull out, there is a good chance you set your drag too tight. Seriously, when we 1st started using epoxy, to remove all doubt on it's capabilties, we epoxied a heavy brass sinked eye into wood secured a clothe hangar to it and PULLED. When the test was over, the eye was still in the wood but, IT BROKE.