bassbum85 Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 i am looking at making some beefier swimbaits for musky and big bass. using pvc and wondered if d2t is still a good option with the toothy critters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 If I were making a musky lure (I've never actually seen a musky in person, let alone fished for one) I would use an epoxy like Etex, which is softer and won't crack and flake off. Because PVC is both hard and waterproof, you top coat doesn't have to be bullet proof, just durable. I've make PVC lures for barricudas, which seem to use the same dentist as muskies, and they held up fine with Etex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 Like Mark I've never seen a musky, or built lures for them, but have read what a lot of the guys that do fish for them use for a top coat and they seem to like Etex. Etex doesn't get as hard as D2T and therefore holds up better to toothy critters. D2T dries to a much harder finish than Etex and that makes it more likely to crack under the pressure a musky can put on a bait with it's teeth. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluetickhound Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 Not to pump my thread but have you looked into Amazing Clear Cast? I think it's a newer product (I got mine at Hobby Lobby). It dries hard but has some "give" to it. By that I mean that on a test piece I coated a dug a thumbnail into it deep enough to leave a very noticeable scratch, came back in an hour and there was no trace of the scratch. I have also clamped down on it with needle nose pliers ( not enough to tear the finish but deep enough to leave a "print") and had the same result. D2T and Etex are the old guard gold standard for lure finishes from what I gather in my short time here so far at TU but ACC is definitely worth looking in to if you have concerns about toothy fish.... I don't know if it would help if you wre worried about fishy teeth but that's another thread for another site!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Glenn Posted June 12, 2012 Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 I have built a few and refinished many musky lures and I use d2t just because that is what I can find locally. I have used etec and didn't have any problems with it either, but I didn't see an advantage either. The biggest trouble I have is not with musky teeth but with hooks wearing the finish. The size of hooks that are used on musky lures have a lot more weight to them as they swing from side to side than my bass lures. The factory finish won't stand up to hooks or teeth either. For me personally, I would love to have a beat up ole wore out musky lure that is full of teeth marks and may even have a tooth or two stuck in it. That would be the ultimate trophy lure to frame in a glass case. What keeps that from happening to me up to now, is I have been working with wood and as soon as the wood is exposed, the water does its damage. The lure becomes water logged and just doesn't perform to my liking enough continue to get the wear I want. Now I have started using pvc and I can see that wall hanger lure just waiting to happen. I'm looking for a lure to last long enough to get wore out!!!! lol Musky Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbum85 Posted June 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2012 thanks for all the info guys. I have been using a 2 part epoxy froma hobby shop and its ok so far just havent really put in enough time on the water with it to see how it will hold up. a couple buddys have some of my baits and plan on getting some southern muskys on em and that should really test my products out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 Both DT2 and Etex will work but you must use more coats than you might for other species. Etex will generally require more coats than Devcon because it goes on a bit thinner per coat. I quit using Devcon because it yellows so badly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish 30acre Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 if you are muskie fishing, be assured most of any clear coat issues will be caused from hook rash, not muskie teeth. i dont think you need to worry about muskie teeth coming into play here. but if youre catching multiple muskies daily, take me with you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbum85 Posted June 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 Thanks guys yeah 30 I hope that might be the case one day I havent gone yet but have some buddies who guide for em down here in tn so am gonna try and put some together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Glenn Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 Bass Bum 85, Tenn. has some great musky fishing. The best that I know of is Melton Hill Lake at Oak Ridge Tenn. When it is right, it is as good as musky fishing gets. Musky Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickdraw Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 I've found when fishing for big Stripers that the big 3/0 hooks tear up the clearcoat. I initially start with 2 coats of clear and as the plugs get beat up I will add another coat when needed. Eventually they will get 4 coats and by then they are pretty tough or a fatty has wrapped me up in a tree and busted off the plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbum85 Posted June 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2012 thanks glenn yeah ive seen some awesome fish cant wait tog et one myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 (edited) Hook rash is more of a storage than fishing problem. I have found the best solution is to store my large swimbaits and plugs in a Plano Saltwater wrap, this stops them rattling around plus it is breatheble so wet lures dry out. I also cover all my hook points using thin plastic tubing. Edited June 21, 2012 by gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Glenn Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 There is a difference in types of epoxy. I can't find Devcon here locally so I use what is available. Tractor Supply stocks a good type of 30 min.epoxy and they also stock a "less" good 30 min. epoxy. The difference is in the strength indicated on the label. The good type is rated at 3500 lbs. and the "less" good is rated at 2000 lbs. Musky Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Hook rash is more of a storage than fishing problem. I have found the best solution is to store my large swimbaits and plugs in a Plano Saltwater wrap, this stops them rattling around plus it is breatheble so wet lures dry out. I also cover all my hook points using thin plastic tubing. Gordon, I find I have hook rash on walking baits and cranks from the front treble swinging back and forth against the lure belly on the retrieve. Most of my baits are stored in plano boxes that are so full there's no room for the hooks to move. Hahaha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat28 Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 The more scratches on a bait the better. I seal my plugs with a coat of nulustre 55, prime, paint and seal again with a coat of nu lustre. Having fished for 15 years with famous muskie guide Marc Thorpe, I have changed my mind about beaten up lures. I dont change them for brand new ones, but I keep them on the line as they work, simply. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
