robalo01 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Are any of the big guys using Circuit Board Bills? What are the pros and cons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAWGFAN Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 I'm not a "Big Guy", but I use them. They are very thin, and that makes it easier for me to cut the slots with my scroll saw. If you're buying pre-cut bills, it is usually less expensive than Lexan. The cons would be color I suppose. It's not a problem for the places I fish, but they aren't exactly clear. Some guys don't like that. Another is durability. Circuit board usually lasts longer than molded plastic, but not as long as Lexan. My home lake is full of very rough limestone. I can wear down a circuit board bill surprisingly fast. That isn't a concern in a lot of areas. Give it a try, I would guess you'd like it. I've heard that maybe it dives quicker, but I can't notice any real difference in performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barr5150 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 I'm not a big guy either but for my bass cranks I only use circuit board lips now. I buy the pre-cut ones and they are extremely easy to use, cheap and always perfectly square. Like Hawgfan I use my scroll saw to cut the slot, the perfect size is about 1 & 1/2 blade widths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt M Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 I saw an ad the other day, Arashi lure company released a new line of baits with circut board lips. There may be a few reviews on them. I'm probably a smaller guy than either of the other two posters here. I like the circut board bills just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Spro uses them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 G-10 circuit board is about half the thickness of polycarbonate (Lexan) for the same stiffness. I use 1/32" G-10 for lips. It's easy to cut with metal snips and fine tune with a Dremel sanding drum. Circuit board lips typically have a faster dive profile and they deflect off of cover more sharply than plastic or polycarbonate lips. They are particularly good on crankbaits fished through rocks. McMaster-Carr carries G-10 circuit board 12x12" sheets for a reasonable price. They list it as "Garolite". G-10 comes in an array of colors and the most popular color on crankbaits is white (very slightly greenish). That's the color of the pre-made lips you can buy from lurepartsonline.com, Janns Netcraft, etc. Recommend you check the color before you buy - white is sometimes hard to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robalo01 Posted June 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 I see SPRO is using them on their shallow baits and square bills, but not on the deep divers. Will these bills hold up to a line tie ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 Yep, I see no difference between G-10 and Lexan as far as holding an in-lip line tie. I use G-10 on ultra-deep divers (20+ Ft) with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barr5150 Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 (edited) I make a deep diver (10'+) with the large precut coffin bill lip available from most of the suppliers. If you look at the pic the line tie is in the lip but I run the wire back into the lure so the lip doesn't actually carry any of the load. So far the guys who have bought them love them. I haven't had any issues. http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/media/gallery/category_8/gallery_24539_8_37614.jpg Edited June 3, 2014 by barr5150 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barr5150 Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 A little better pic - http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/media/gallery/category_8/gallery_24539_8_77041.jpg This lure uses one of the large round bill precut lips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Moreau Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 Just a word of caution.....G10 does wear faster than lexan. If you are dredging the bottom or throwing it on rocks all day they will wear out. But like others have said you get a crisper action and deflection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
